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Fault dash rheostat light switch removal procedure? 1800 1970

posted by  Whale on  Thu Oct 15 22:26 CST 2020
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last visit: Fri Jun 14 19:52 CST 2013
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Dash panel lights do not have an intensity variance. They are either on at a specific rotational position or off! Crawling under the dash to inspect the switch, I noticed it was covered in white crud! As the switch mechanism is enclosed, it was difficult to completely remove the crud, so I tried to remove the switch. Pulling on the knob to slip it off didn't work nor did trying to unscrew it. I have checked my three manuals and they were no help. Anyone have an answer? I did have a little luck in increasing the intensity range by turning the knob back and forth the full range several times, hoping to scrap some of the crud off of the rheostat function.








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    Fault dash rheostat light switch removal procedure? 1800 1970

    posted by  will rehsper on  Fri Oct 16 06:53 CST 2020
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    Buy yourself a spray can of DeOxit. You won't regret it.
    --
    XC60 / Odyssey








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      Fault dash rheostat light switch removal procedure? 1800 1970

      posted by  maplebones on  Fri Oct 16 08:32 CST 2020
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      last visit: Thu Oct 23 22:53 CST 2014
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      Hi Will,

      Is DeOxit the same as generic products labelled 'electrical contact cleaner' ? I have some stuff, but it doesn't seem t produce any visible reaction on the metal.

      Peter








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        Deoxit? 1800 1970

        posted by  Ron Kwas on  Fri Oct 16 09:06 CST 2020
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        last visit: Fri Oct 24 04:03 CST 2014
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        Peter;

        Although Q is addressed to Will, I will answer this as I have researched the topic of electrical corrosion / protection extensively...and have a lot of first-hand experience in the use of such products...from ACZP to contact lubes and protectants like Deoxit

        The answer is a BIG NO "DeOxit (is Not) the same as generic products labelled 'electrical contact cleaner" ...these products are solvents which clean, but leave little behind to give long-term benefits. Use Deoxit...it's not cheap, but you use it sparingly, sometimes literally by the drop like when installing batteries into a flashlight...low voltage low current situations are especially susceptible to non-function due to the minutest of surface contamination/corrosion.

        ...and no, my BIL does not own the company, but I have used it for decades, from automotive to amateur radio, and know that it works, and very well! See: https://www.sw-em.com/Product%20Reviews.htm#Deoxit
        also: https://www.sw-em.com/Deoxit_D5_Additional.htm

        Cheers








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          Deoxit? 1800 1970

          posted by  maplebones on  Sat Oct 17 06:33 CST 2020
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          last visit: Thu Oct 23 22:53 CST 2014
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          Thanks Ron. I'll have to look around for some.

          Peter








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            Deoxit? 1800 1970

            posted by  Ron Kwas on  Sat Oct 17 10:02 CST 2020
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            last visit: Fri Oct 24 04:03 CST 2014
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            Peter;

            I always keep it in stock! ...and recently I bought a little bottle of the 100% with caunula (blunt ended syringe) applicator from e-pay (search: CAIG D100L-25C DeoxIT Needle Dispenser 25 ml, yes expensive, but run one drop down each Brake Light Switch contact for each kit I sell)...and I still expect to leave it to my great-grand-children who MAY come close to actually using it up...but worth every penny just so that you don't need to smack a flashlight every time to get it to work...!

            Cheers







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    Fault dash rheostat light switch removal procedure? 1800 1970

    posted by  Chris Mullet on  Fri Oct 16 05:30 CST 2020
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:08 CST 2014
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    You should be able to unscrew the knob by first turning It all the way counter clockwise against the stop and then turning it harder to actually unscrew it. Once the knob is off then you can unscrew the retaining ring with either the special spammer that fits into the slots or by carefully using a screwdriver and small hammer.

    If you’re afraid the switch will break before it unscrews then maybe you can spray some sort of electronics cleaner like Deoxit up into the switch and then rotate it back and forth numerous times.








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      Fault dash rheostat light switch removal procedure? 1800 1970

      posted by  Whale on  Sat Oct 24 17:41 CST 2020
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      last visit: Fri Jun 14 19:52 CST 2013
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      I took your suggestion and rotated the switch back and forth the full range and it seemed to scrape off the white corrosion enough that I now have variable control of my dash and heater control lights. I also sprayed the back of the switch with electrical cleaner.








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    Fault dash rheostat light switch removal procedure? 1800 1970

    posted by  Ron Kwas on  Fri Oct 16 05:29 CST 2020
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 04:03 CST 2014
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    Gregpry;

    Resistance (likely Nichrome) wire corrodes resulting in the white surface corrosion products and intermittent connection of wiper. This is quite typical. You could try Deoxit or ACZP as a lube/oxidation preventer after cleaning rheostat (I've never tried it...I expect it might cook off from the heat generated)...OR simply select a brightness that you're happy with, install a fixed resistor and abandon the variable control.

    I've written about this here: https://www.sw-em.com/Intermittent_Variable_Instrument_Lighting.htm

    Cheers







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