dpb Posted April 10 Report Share Posted April 10 Hello another wet day, no golf, so checking out my overdrive switch. I replaced the relay, and get 12v where appropriate. But when I switch to on, or off, i get nothing, no click, and I think no earthing. It is an original lute or pear shaped switch, and on taking it apart has some fancy spring/toggle mechanism, but it doesn't seem to swing properly from one terminal to the other. This is just supposed to be a simple on/off switch isn't it, nothing else clever going on? Cheers Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted April 10 Report Share Posted April 10 (edited) Yes just a normal single pole on-off switch. It's a very simple mechanism. If it isn't 'snapping' properly it may just need a little lubrication of the moving parts. Edited April 10 by RobH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dpb Posted April 10 Author Report Share Posted April 10 Thanks Rob, I'll have a go at cleaning it up, before replacing it if needed. Cheers Dave === Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james christie Posted April 10 Report Share Posted April 10 They need a bit of love and care from time to time james Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted April 10 Report Share Posted April 10 Or consider incorperating my "smart" overdrive switch system. Overdrive logic circuit.pdf I can convert the switch for you if you like. Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dpb Posted April 10 Author Report Share Posted April 10 i cleaned and lubricated it and it seems to work well off the car. I shorted the two cable together while they were out of the switch and there was a healthy click, so that all looks good. The cables in the switch just had bare ends that the pointy screws were touching I guess. Seems a bit haphazard, are they supposed to be like that? I'll see how I get on before I look at your solution Bob. I've just about done the electrics, next job is the brakes. Nowhere near ready for starting or running yet. Cheers Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted April 10 Report Share Posted April 10 42 minutes ago, dpb said: The cables in the switch just had bare ends that the pointy screws were touching I guess. Seems a bit haphazard, are they supposed to be like that? The screw should grip the wire well enough stop it pulling out as well as making a good electrical connection. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dpb Posted April 10 Author Report Share Posted April 10 (edited) Hi Rob Are the wires supposed to be bare-ended or should the pointy screw go through the insulation, do you know? Dave ==== Edited April 10 by dpb Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted April 10 Report Share Posted April 10 I would fold the bare ends back under the cable, so that the screw bites into the insulation to grip it and forces the bare wire down onto the socket to make the contact. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dpb Posted April 10 Author Report Share Posted April 10 After a bit of fiddling I discovered the pointy screws don't go all the way through the switch, they stop a few mil short, no contact made with wires or insulation. I must be missing something - a connecting piece or a fitting of some sort. Does anyone know what should be in there? Cheers Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted April 10 Report Share Posted April 10 Maybe they aren't the right screws Dave - does it look like this? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dpb Posted April 10 Author Report Share Posted April 10 It looks exactly like that. What's underneath the switch though? Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted April 10 Report Share Posted April 10 Can't find a photo of that side. Maybe the original wires had ferrules on so the screws did make contact? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dpb Posted April 10 Author Report Share Posted April 10 I can't find a pic either. Must be some sort of fitting i am missing. Thanks for your help Rob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted April 10 Report Share Posted April 10 I have a switch on the bench, I will take some photos tomorrow. Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dpb Posted April 10 Author Report Share Posted April 10 Thank you Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 Original top Original base Repro top Repro base The screws are tapered, & when screwed right the way in they trap the wire between the tapered side of the screw, & the tapered base of the hole. A quick test showed that the wires were held securely. Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dpb Posted April 11 Author Report Share Posted April 11 Thank you Bob. Mine looks like the original. I'm still unclear how the wires attach. Are they poked up into rhe hole and then the screws applied from the top? Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 Yes, that's correct. Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dpb Posted April 11 Author Report Share Posted April 11 Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dpb Posted April 12 Author Report Share Posted April 12 To finish off: cleaned, lubricated and rewired switch, and replaced wiring connections (one old one was insulated with making tape), and all now working with a satisfying clunk somewhere under the tunnel. Thanks all for your help. Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted April 12 Report Share Posted April 12 Well done. (still take a look at my link above!) Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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