turn signal switch quick fix pictures

[WilsonTC]

Originally Posted by pope

Iceman,

there seems to be something wrong with the url you posted. You sure it's ok?

He copied/pasted the abridged URL. He needs to go to Rennlist and copy the entire URL before pasting.

Here's the correct link (I think): http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/911-forum/517567-hi-lo-headlight-switch-repair-thread.html

[prebordao]

I've just followed the procedure outlined by Won and I've had partial success...

Now, my lowbeams dont go to highbeams whenever I hit a bump (they remain steady and that's a major improvement !), but the only way to get highbeams is by flashing.

Could it be due to the small contacts behind the big ones on the pictures ?
I've noticed that they close only when flashing and not when switching from low to high...

[kanadary]

do you think that gapping it will fix the flash issue. i don't have the issue with the high beams coming on but it won't flash the lights when i pull back on the switch. makes warning speeders coming the opposite direction hard when there is a speed trap. Won, i like the picture of the E under your name. ubc engineers rule!

[prebordao]

There's a correction to my post above. Now, I can't get low or high beams. High only when flashing. Otherwise, only parking lights...

The only thing I did was pry apart slightly the high beam contact. I did it with the battery off and already checked that no fuses were blown.

Before I had high and low beams at the switch. What could have gone wrong ??

[prebordao]

I was being dumb !!!
Everything's ok, I just forgot to turn the ignition on....

Once again, thanks for the clear pictures Won !

[fyrfytr380]

Just wanted to say thanks for saving me a bunch of money. Did this today and it worked like a charm. Couple things to add is make sure to disconnect the battery since my horn kept blowing. Unlock the steering wheel before removing it. This makes it so you can turn on the power to the car to check the fix before putting it completely back together. Like everyone has said it's an easy 10-15 minute job that worked like a charm.
thanks again

[Hendog]

Thanks Won! A post that's over 4 years old and still gets problems resolved for others; Pelicans DO recycle (old threads). Mind you, I just did this tonight but haven't tested it. I'll find out come spring, but I'm pretty confident in my abilities. Next is to add the headlight relays.

[Won]

Hey Henri, it's been a while! Hope I'll see you come spring.

Keep on recycling guys!

[Hesse James]

Hello,

I tried this fix, and it worked - but only for a moment. After driving at night my driving light went dark... Luckywise I was only 1 min. from home so I used the high beam by holding back the switch. For a permanent repair I had to buy a new switch. The good thing: Install is also a 15 Minutes Job. No problems there. I hope this will last for the next 10 years. It is not a good example of german engineering - this switch is crap with all the currant for the lights. It is better to use relays and keep the power away from the switch. But I think those switches were not build for eternity and remind me of old VW parts, except for the price (~120$)

[bsimonson]

Just wanted to say thanks for posting this as it helped me get the high beam going (low was fine). It didn't, however, fix the flash. To get it working I had to clean the inner contacts and also get some 5-56 on them. Didn't notice them at first and there not really visible in the photos so I though I'd post a picture to show them for future reference.



Cheers, Björn

[Peter Seow]

Great job. Unfortunately i ordered my parts and found out i t was not a switch i had a wiring problem. Which was traced to the light switch. The previous mechanic got the wiring wrongly done!!

[zakthor]

Noticed on Saturday night that the high beams kept coming on:
- flash worked fine
- high beam set worked fine
- high beams kept coming on when stalk set in low beam position
- high beams off by gently pulling back on stalk

Early sunday I find the replacement part ~$140. Dang. Then found this thread.

Having just put my wheel back to stock I was ready to take it off, but a few folks mentioned fixing without removing the wheel.

What I found was perhaps different from the other descriptions, so I'll share a picture and description.

Car is 1979 930.

I was learly since the switch is supposedly live unless the battery is disconnected. I was careful to only touch the switch to itself and I didn't notice any sparking or burning hair. Had the key out but otherwise fuses and battery were left as normal.

There is a nicely machined flathead screw on either side of the steering column. I removed both but you need to remove the steering wheel to get the lower plastic housing out.

I think for this you can just undo the screw on the left side of the steering column and the lower plastic will be loose enough. With your fingers pull the left side of the plastic shroud down about 1/4" and a plastic post on the lower left will pop out and hold the plastic apart a little bit. With the plastic separated you can see the stalk switch thats so excellently photographed earlier in the thread. Now from studying the excellent switch pictures in this thread you can also see how the middle contact spring is attached at the bottom and is bent just slightly to the left.

Reach in with a pair of thin needle nose plyers, grab that middle spring close to where it attaches at the bottom, and twist it a scooch clockwise (contact at the top will move to the right). The contact now to the right, away from the high-beam setting. Sure enough there's no more intermittant high-beam, everything works great.

Seems if this is happening to everyone that there's a tendency for this spring to get bent. Maybe from pushing too hard on the stalk. Expect this will need to be repeated again in the future. Before bending the middle spring I checked the thick silver bar but it looked straight to me.

Here's an annotated photo of the left side of the steering column with the lower shroud pryed open a little, you can see the switch at the end of the stalk.



Thanks for saving me $140.00!

[yama1]

I would recommend that you pull the steering wheel to do this correctly.

The plastic cover tabs on the inside in various locations are easily broken if you are not careful. They get stressed easily, especially the side ones. Nothing more annoying than rattling plastic.

I just fixed mine as well. Very easy and a great way to save some money.
GREAT ADVICE

[theiceman]

Originally Posted by WilsonTC

He copied/pasted the abridged URL. He needs to go to Rennlist and copy the entire URL before pasting.

Here's the correct link (I think): Hi / Lo headlight Switch repair thread - Rennlist Discussion Forums

Thanks Wilson.. i can't figure out how to edit my post so those interested click on the link Wilson posted .. classic case of two forums working together to compile knowledge to help useres .. great job to all contributors !!!

[James Brown]

Don't forget, this procedure works for the windshield wiper switch also. If your's doesn't park or the intermittent wipers stopped working.

[k8atu]

Thanks for a great how-to. Had the same issue, high beam on all the time whether on hi or low.... One 27mm socket and 20 minutes later, problem resolved.... Cheers muchly and props to you

[mca]

Did this procedure today - without removing steering wheel.

Removed two screws that hold the plastic trim together at the steering column so that I could access the switch. Then a tiny flat head screwdriver to pry on the high beam spring (same screwdriver I used to remove screws).

Took 5 minutes and worked perfectly.

Thanks for the great pics and write-up.

[jlynch1960]

Don't know if anyone is still following this thread, but...

My problem is a little different - low beams work fine, flash is fine, but pushing the stalk forward shuts off the headlights. I'm assuming it's part of the same problem and not a fuse or wiring issue since the high beam flash still works. I haven't taken it apart yet (got the 27mm socket today), but plan to look at it soon.

If anyone who has done this fix has any insight, I'd be happy to hear it.

Thanks.

[turbochad]

I always love posts like this. My car needs this done, but I considered the problem "patina" and left it alone thinking the stalk would need replacing. I'll fix it now.
Thanks,
Chad

[M Scahfer]

Flash(HI) and Low Beams work fine no high when pushed forward

JLynch1960 this is my exact problem also-1988 3.2 coupe, I will look at it on 12/24, my next day off. let me know what you see and do if you get there first. mark