Window Switch Servicing Writeup.

E28 technical advice asked and given! Troubleshooting, modifications and more.
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Das_Prachtstrasse
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Window Switch Servicing Writeup.

Post by Das_Prachtstrasse »

Hello all.

I've been asked by a few people now how I went about servicing my inoperable, or temperamental window switches, aforementioned in another thread. Figured a writeup may be useful. I've purposly included large photo's for ease of reference.

First of all, if you have access to a known good switch, in the same, or better aesthetic condition to the broken one,it makes sense to replace it as servicing them is not a %100 permanent fix, and i've seen some so badly worn they can't be fixed. Please note the switch pictured is a non-lighted version. The lighted version has a slightly different internal design, listed at the bottom of the thread.

Firstly (obviously) remove the problem switch from it's space, and disconnect. This is what you have.

Image

On each side of the housing, there are 2 retainer clips. Using a small jewelers screwdriver, pry these clips away from the housings, being careful not too apply to much leverage. It's possible to split the casing, and that will make a secure refitting difficult. If you look carefully at the switch, you'll notice the side with the part number on it has a small slit, whereas the other side does not. Pry from this 'part number' side first.

Image

Once the first side is popped clear, repeat the process on the opposite side to fully remove the center from the housing. This is what you should have.

Image

Looking at the pin side first, you'll notice four circular raised contacts. When the button is pressed, the raised contacts on the button side connect with these, and are what provide signal to the regulator motor. The two center contacts will likely be black, and noticeably worn or corroded. Remove the surface corrosion with some fine sandpaper, but only until the surface is clean. Be careful not to scrape too much of the contact away. Repeat on the other contact surfaces.

Image

You'll notice the two center contacts are a single tensioned piece. Put your screwdriver under this, and pry it up around a mm. Don't pry it too high. This will allow the depression of the button to be minimal in order to connect the contacts, and will place less strain on the return spring and tensioned contact area. The photo below should be a good indication of where it should be sitting once raised.

Image

Now move onto the buttons. They simply push out of the housing from the inside. You'll similarly notice on the two contacts here, how the corresponding contact tab is corroded and worn. Remove the corrosion as mentioned earlier. Although the contact piece and spring can be removed from the switch, there's no need so simply leave it connected. You cannot adjust the contact tabs on the button as they're secured by a plastic housing, so once it's clean, repeat with the other button. I recc. doing one button at a time, and taking note of the direction the arrow is pointing to ensure correct re-assembly as it can be easy to mix them up or install them upside down.

Image

Now you're ready to reassemble. The two parts should go together with a little force, and cannot be reversed by mistake as the mould in the housing only accepts the innards in the correct position. Also, make sure the black metal retainer clips which secure the switch to the console/door card are in the right position before you push the two halves together.

Plug in and test.

Lighted Switches

Essentially, these are exactly the same in design to the regular switches, with the obvious exception being the included globes and translucent arrow prints.

The globes need to be removed before the adjustment of the tensioned contact plate and be performed.

Image

They easily pop out and can be replaced at this point.

Image

That concludes this writeup!
Last edited by Das_Prachtstrasse on Jun 29, 2011 9:50 AM, edited 1 time in total.
stuartinmn
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Post by stuartinmn »

Good writeup - pictures are worth a thousand words, although I'd make them smaller so they don't take so long to load... ;)

One thing I'll add is a pencil eraser works well for cleaning up the switch contacts; it's not as abrasive as sandpaper and I think it's easier to use - just put the tip of the eraser against the contact and spin the pencil in your fingers.
Das_Prachtstrasse
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Post by Das_Prachtstrasse »

stuartinmn wrote:Good writeup - pictures are worth a thousand words, although I'd make them smaller so they don't take so long to load... ;)

One thing I'll add is a pencil eraser works well for cleaning up the switch contacts; it's not as abrasive as sandpaper and I think it's easier to use - just put the tip of the eraser against the contact and spin the pencil in your fingers.
I knew they were large, but didn't realise they were 'that' large.. :laugh: I'll resize em.

And yes, great idea with the pencil eraser. The sandpaper (1000grit) gets rid of the corrosion quite well, and as long as you're careful can be very effective and safe, but if they're not too badly damaged an eraser would be more than effective in cleaning up the contacts. Thanks for your input, I meant to include a comment saying idea's/additions are welcome!
Blue Shadow
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Post by Blue Shadow »

Dremel with brass wire brush works great and is quick at removing the oxidation. More fun when there are a number of switches to rebuild.
John in VA
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Post by John in VA »

wkohler
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Post by wkohler »

I cannot believe Rod let the inside of his switches get to that state. :rotz:
Blue Shadow
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Post by Blue Shadow »

wkohler wrote:I cannot believe Rod let the inside of his switches get to that state.
Dude, Rod's car is an '84. Does that help?













Those switches were bought from Fiver Industries to upgrade to the lighted version. His original switches are still nearly new in a box in his garage somewhere.
Last edited by Blue Shadow on Jun 30, 2011 12:02 AM, edited 1 time in total.
RonW
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Post by RonW »

Once you clean the contacts, you should probably coat them with something so they don't corrode again. Vaseline, maybe?
nate2k5
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Post by nate2k5 »

rod's site does not mention bending that bracket up, which i think most of the problem was with mine. i cleaned one up with this tutorial yesterday. i'll report back to see if it worked after i get off work.
ElGuappo
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Post by ElGuappo »

RonW wrote:Once you clean the contacts, you should probably coat them with something so they don't corrode again. Vaseline, maybe?
DeOxit by Caig.
Wonder chemical.
Blue Shadow
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Post by Blue Shadow »

ElGuappo wrote:
DeOxit by Caig.
Wonder chemical.
Use the right Deoxit product.
They have cleaner, fader lube, preserve-it (the right product), pro gold for the gold contacts and such. check out the Caig website to find what you need.
rodpaine
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Post by rodpaine »

Blue Shadow wrote:
wkohler wrote:I cannot believe Rod let the inside of his switches get to that state.
Dude, Rod's car is an '84. Does that help?
Those switches were bought from Fiver Industries to upgrade to the lighted version. His original switches are still nearly new in a box in his garage somewhere.
Actually, it is an '83, built October '82. Ya, the purpose for buying them was to have lighted switches... I gave the original window switches to others who had switch problems. And I've been using Caig Labs products since 1959 and I've found nothing better. Their current cleaning product is DeoxIT D-Series and DeoxIT Shield S-Series contact protector. They keep fooling with the names, but these are the products to use, including on all ground and electrical connections and the FUSES and FUSE HOLDERS. Used every other year, you won't have any typical E28 electrical connection problems, except for failed relay contacts. That's been my experience for the past 28 years on my E28 and long before that on my earlier vehicles that lived in Santa Monica very near the beach and the salt air, which creates some big corrosion problems.
FWIW,
-Rod
Blue Shadow
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Post by Blue Shadow »

Well I got the lighted switch upgrade part right.

I think Caig messed with the name too much calling them all Deoxit, but Deoxit is the name everyone knows so maybe it is better for them. Harder for us that know the old product names. But you are right, their products can't be beat for cleaning and maintaining electrical connections.
wkohler
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Post by wkohler »

rodpaine wrote:
Blue Shadow wrote:
wkohler wrote:I cannot believe Rod let the inside of his switches get to that state.
Dude, Rod's car is an '84. Does that help?
Those switches were bought from Fiver Industries to upgrade to the lighted version. His original switches are still nearly new in a box in his garage somewhere.
Actually, it is an '83, built October '82. Ya, the purpose for buying them was to have lighted switches... I gave the original window switches to others who had switch problems. And I've been using Caig Labs products since 1959 and I've found nothing better. Their current cleaning product is DeoxIT D-Series and DeoxIT Shield S-Series contact protector. They keep fooling with the names, but these are the products to use, including on all ground and electrical connections and the FUSES and FUSE HOLDERS. Used every other year, you won't have any typical E28 electrical connection problems, except for failed relay contacts. That's been my experience for the past 28 years on my E28 and long before that on my earlier vehicles that lived in Santa Monica very near the beach and the salt air, which creates some big corrosion problems.
FWIW,
-Rod
My comment was a joke. Everything on your car - and site for that matter is so clean!
rodpaine
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Post by rodpaine »

wkohler wrote:My comment was a joke. Everything on your car - and site for that matter is so clean!
Yes sir, that was understood, thank you. I just wanted to elaborate for others who are new to the Forum... save me from having to respond to PMs. Your cars deserve praise, too, as they aren't simply fluff and buff jobs, but have had a lot of serious attention and show it. Thank you for that.
-Rod
Mouthpear
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Re:

Post by Mouthpear »

stuartinmn wrote: Jun 29, 2011 9:16 AM pictures are worth a thousand words,


Yeah but where are they? LOL
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