Backup switch repair

[dinghyguy]

So my backup switch works but the wired are frayed where they come out of the switch.
Has anyone ever taken the switch apart? I suspect there are two terminals in the epoxy or ?? And if I were to take the round ring off and remove the epoxy i could attach new wires and recast some epoxy
Has anyone done that?
Cheers
Dinghyguy the cheapskate

[spider2081]

I Have used a Dremel type tool to expose the original switch/wire terminals and soldered on and successfully soldered new wires on the switch terminals. I tested the switch before and after soldering the wires. I'm thinking plunger out iswitch is closed plunger in the switch is open.

[MattVAS]

Y'all are talking about repairing the switch itself right?
If so that is a lot of work for a $12 part.

I get being thrifty and wanting to put yourself into your car, but man you guys go above and beyond. I think I'll just leave some of my bloodstains from busted knuckles under the dash vs repairing that switch .

[dinghyguy]

Thanks guys, I will try and see what happens, stay tuned

Matt, actually the part is about 25$, plus 35% exchange, plus 25$ shipping and 5$ customs fees, so it will actually cost me about $50 US to get it shipped to Canada. So if an hour of mucking about to fix a broken wire is all it takes then I will be ahead. Plus i have the epoxy from working on my dinghies.

Now having said that I sure do appreciate that the vendors do exist and I do support them, and if I lived in the states i think i would just order the part.

cheers
dinghyguy the cheapskate

[MattVAS]

Should have noticed the Canada address. Yeah, shipping and everything up to you can hurt that is for sure.

As I joke with many of our Canadian customers.... I like to say "It's either expensive international shipping rates or health insurance."

Good luck with the repairs. I do hope that you're able to get it back together in good working order.

[spider2081]

If so that is a lot of work for a $12 part.

Probably a generational thing. Its not only about the money its about understanding how things work and fixing what is fixable. Today we live in a throw away society that leaves little pride in one's ability to fix the repairable, yet the new replacement part often is lesser quality then the original. Hence there are now ski slopes in some places on top of the unnecessarily trashed items. I have the utmost respect for the "fixers"

[dinghyguy]

Geez, now i have been called old...…(correctly though)

Anyhow, this is what i started with:


I used my dremel and removed the cast plastic to expose the terminals.


I soldered new wires on to the terminals and added heat shrink. I also took apart the connector, cleaned up the terminals and soldered the wires to the terminals. Then i used some tape around the switch and cast some epoxy (from my dinghy repairs) over the swith terminals. This is what i ended up with.

and the finished product

I checked the swith electrically before and after, no change, so I think all is well and the part is ready for reinstallation.
cheers
dinghyguy

[spider2081]

Nice repai. Thanks for all the detail of your repair. I am very lacking in that respect. I seldom take photos other than for reference helping reassembly.
Have you repaired a steering column switch yet???