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Steering post/dimmer switch questions

Posted by Dutch 1960

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Steering post/dimmer switch questions #1
Dutch 1960 Mark Holland San Diego, CA, USA 1946 Jeep Willys 2 1965 Ford Mustang 1970 MG Midget Conversion 1977 Mazda RX-3 1985 Mazda RX-7 → more	Posted: August 29, 2012 09:56PM Registered: 10 months ago Posts: 166

Troubleshooting the wiring last weekend, got almost everything done. One problem is that the headlights only go on high beams, not low beams, no matter the dimmer switch position. Pulling forward towards driver to flash does not work at all. The turn signals blink when activated only sometimes and randomly. The high beam indicator light on the dashboard does operate correctly according to the dimmer switch position.

I am thinking that the switch internals are dirty or corroded. So I went to remove the steering post covers, right and left black plastic (series lll US spec), by removing the two Phillips head screws left side. No can do, looks like the steering post holds the covers in place. Bentley and Haynes manuals are no help on ths dilemma. So I loosened the two big bolts on the steering post bracket affixed to the bottom structure of the dash board. No effect on the ability to move the steering post. Thinking now I had better ask some questions here before I get in too deep.

Next decided to spray a little WD40 into the dimmer switch assembly to possibly clean things out. Big mistake. Now the high beam headlights flash with the right side turn signal (but not the left). Also turned on the wipers to check that one, and could not turn them off again (moved the lever back to the top detent and the wipers kept going). The wiper switch has since fixed itself, after I disconnected the battery for a while. But the right side turn signal is still a problem.

So I have two questions. The first is the procedure to remove the plastic covers and extract the dimmer switch, which I need to do whether I clean out the old one or replace the entire unit. The second is what should I expect from the old switch. Is it generally cleanable and salvageable, or should I plan on replacing it? The car is a low mileage time capsule, and the rest of the mechanicals and electricals have generally been found to be in good shape with little wear.

Thank you in advance for your help.

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Re: Steering post/dimmer switch questions #2
AmishIndy Seth Jones Wheaton, IL, USA 1971 MG Midget MkIII "Guenevire" 2007 Mazda 3 "Porco Rosso"	Posted: August 29, 2012 10:06PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 3,083

Steering column shroud actually has a few screws that are hidden by the dash board. Nearly impossible to remove the thing without breaking them unless you pull the steering column out (or atleast bend it downward far enough for clerance but this has a way of screwing up the collapsible section). WD40 is not for electrical stuff. You need electrical contact cleaner as availible from any radioshack. The switch's condition should be assessed first before deciding to replace. If its just dirty, then its salvageable, if the plastic is melted somehow or connectors/terminals are loose, then it probably isnt. Its my experience that modern replacements are inferior so do what you can to save it.

Seth Jones

1971 MG Midget

www.SpridgetGuru.com

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/30/2012 06:26AM by AmishIndy.

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Re: Steering post/dimmer switch questions #3
trevorwj Trevor Jessie Louisville KY, USA	Posted: August 30, 2012 06:06AM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 2,293

You can pull the column buy undoing 7ish bolts. Pinch bolt (remove completely), 3 firewall bolts, 3ish bolts on the underside of column clamp(not the spacer locations).

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Re: Steering post/dimmer switch questions #4
Dutch 1960 Mark Holland San Diego, CA, USA 1946 Jeep Willys 2 1965 Ford Mustang 1970 MG Midget Conversion 1977 Mazda RX-3 1985 Mazda RX-7 → more	Posted: August 30, 2012 10:47AM Registered: 10 months ago Posts: 166

Thanks for the inputs. I am going to try to drop the steering column and clean the assemblies. My concern is that the high beam/low beam toggle in the switch is broken. I would think that if it is dirty, then the low beams would simply not light. Since the high beams stay on, perhaps the switch is non-operational at the internal end of it.

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