Date:         Sat, 19 Jan 2013 00:15:52 -0500
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: PS Re: Headlight Switch
Comments: To: MICHAEL H <vwdash80@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <1358565428.13466.YahooMailNeo@web122305.mail.ne1.yahoo.com >
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 10:17 PM 1/18/2013, MICHAEL H wrote:
>... and I'll back up John ... with small pliers and smaller
>screwdrives, a drop of PB Blaster, a tiny blob of dilectric grease,
>patience, not too much coffee. big inhale. slow exhale. it ain't
>broke til it can't be fixed. cross-post reference   =(:D)              mike

Since we're talking about getting into these switches -- they tend to
have three things in common:

a) a pair of lugs that hold the body of the switch onto the
base.  The body is flexible enough to pry around them.

b) one or more coil springs inside which may also have little balls
associated with them.

c) either a rocker assembly with contacts that strike each other, or
a slider with inserted contacts with very light coil springs behind them.

To take them apart you place the switch upside down and gently pry
the body free from the lugs.  Once both lugs are disengaged,
*carefully* wiggle the base free and lift it away from the switch
body.  You will now be able to see the slider or rocker and carefully
remove it, disclosing the stiffer operating spring(s) beneath, with
the ball(s) sitting on top of them.

Do this in a place where if a ball or spring gets free you'll be able
to find it.  Note how it comes apart so you can put it back the same
way.  When everything is resting in its proper place, very carefully
place the base over the assembly and press it down until the lugs
engage.  If a contact slips while you're reassembling, stop, pull it
apart again and verify that everything is in proper place then once
again press the base evenly into the body.

Things that slide need a bit of grease.  Best if you degrease them
first.  Contacts that don't slide are best left dry.  1500-grit
wet/dry paper used gently is good for cleaning up pitted contacts.

Yours,
David