Indicator/horn switch

[Chris Edgar]

The indicator and horn switch, 1958 Tourer...the one with the bulb on top.

Occasionally the indicator doesn't work when the switch is operated. Seem to be out of stock &/or very expensive to replace.

Is it feasible to dismantle & repair/ improve contacts etc.?
Or will there be an explosion of little springs all over the place, never to be found again & in which case I'll be worse off.

Chris

[M_Temple]

Yes it is very feasible, and once you start I think you'll find it will be obvious what the problem is. The advantage is that things of that era were assembled by people, not robots, and were designed to be taken apart by people as well!

There are a few fiddly bits, and it's a good idea to take a few photos if you have a digital camera, or one on your mobile, so you can refer to them if needed. I did mine a few weeks ago and the copper contacts were fouled up, and one of the connections needed re-soldering.

I have tried to attach one of the photos I took. If you remove the two screws shown the bakelite square has the contacts, and the indicator arm a shaped copper plate, both of which get corroded. You might also need to remove the small bolt/nut to the rear of this bakelite square to clean the indicator arm spring mechanism.

Start on a clean table!

Mick[frame][/frame]

[Chris Edgar]

Many thanks, Mick,
for the detailed & encouraging reply!

I will hopefully have a go at it this week (photos too as you wisely suggest) & post back with the results.
I'm sure that it is an electrical contact issue, as on the odd times when it doesn't work, a light touch will sometimes encourage it to play the game.

regards

Chris

[Matt Tomkins]

i feel really thick, but i went to try and get the cowel off the back of the steering wheel to install a column mounted dip switch, but couldn't work out how it comes off
obviously there's something fundimental i'm missing
any suggestions?

[Chris Edgar]

Hello Mick,

took it off & apart today, gave the contacts a good clean up & put it back on.

But it was no better!
Today was the first time that the problem actually happened while the car was stationary & I soon discovered that the flashers worked even when the inside lamp didn't.
I had had a similar problem on the Traveller, solved by replacing the flasher unit. So it was, in fact easily fixed with a new unit.

The switch will be none the worse for being overhauled.

There seems to be an issue with flasher units which is, I think , worth a new thread.

regards,
Chris

[charlie_morris_minor]

i feel really thick, but i went to try and get the cowel off the back of the steering wheel to install a column mounted dip switch, but couldn't work out how it comes off
obviously there's something fundimental i'm missing
any suggestions?

you have taken the wheel off?

there are either two screws through either side of the cowel I recall, easily visible. Once you have removed them the cowel then slips forward, it does need a slight bit of force to "start off" the indicator arm down the slit in the cowel, when i say slight i mean slight not a great big heavy hand pull.. at least that is the wya it is on later cars not sure about earlier ones

[aupickup]

3 Screws on later xowls

[GHWells]

Hi. I have just bought a 1958 convertible with the intention of carrying out a rolling restoration.
My current job involves fixing the trafficator switch/horn push so that it works - and getting rid of the modern under-dashboard-mounted switch a previous owner installed rather than fix the existing one.

I have looked at the picture above and all seems to be correct, however I am unsure whether I have a bit missing. I would imagine there should be something to make the connection between the live green wire and either left or right outgoing wires to the trafficators? Having unscrewed the bakelite square all I see are the three metal points to which the wires above are soldered to, but cannot see how flicking the stalk will connect the live point to either side. Is there a piece missing I wonder? There is a gap between the stalk and these points of about 1/2 CM.

Any advice would be gratefully received!!