|
Post by OlafR on Jun 15, 2018 9:12:03 GMT
Good morning!
My full beam foot switch is very moody - sometimes it'll work, sometimes it won't.
Assuming that the switch itself is the problem, I'd like to go ahead and replace it. But finding the right part has proven to be quite tedious. I can't identify it in my parts catalogue, at least not beyond doubt. I have found the "Dip switch" marked as part #502087 on page 1636 (Parts Catalogue 608264, for 3 & 3.5 litre).
Any insights on whether that's the right part?
Cheers, Olaf
|
|
|
Post by Warwick on Jun 15, 2018 9:58:52 GMT
I don't know, I'm only guessing, but I'd be surprised if a lot of dip switches from that period, and earlier, aren't interchangeable across a wide variety of car brands and models. It was basically just something that was screwed to the floor and covered by the under-felt and rubber mat (or carpet) with a hole in the appropriate spot.
|
|
|
Post by ray on Jun 15, 2018 10:07:06 GMT
Olaf, I had a similar problem with mine. Eventually I discovered that the carpet was pressing on the side of the switch and that was the issue! The switch was fine but being obstructed by the transmission/floor carpet. It might be worth checking. Cheers Ray
|
|
|
Post by Sam Bee on Jun 15, 2018 18:55:16 GMT
On ebay you will find ones in Lucas packaging (real source unknown) that look as if they will do the job. As Warwick says, all the ones used in 'our'era were much the same.
|
|
|
Post by lagain on Jun 15, 2018 19:58:16 GMT
Give it a squirt of WD40
|
|
|
Post by Eric R on Jun 15, 2018 20:26:25 GMT
erm - the silicone one not the Water Displacement one
|
|
|
Post by Phil Nottingham on Jun 15, 2018 20:50:09 GMT
Standard Lucas dipswitch used on quite a few quality cars of the period and also as it is a rotary action noted for sticking and tracking. It can be dismantled and cleaned.
Also NOS and repos appear on Ebay. The Wadhams one is correct but I do not know if its OEM or repo
|
|
|
Post by Warwick on Jun 15, 2018 23:06:18 GMT
erm - the silicone one not the Water Displacement one Why Eric? The original water displacement types (WD40, RP7, etc.) preceded silicone sprays by decades, and that's all I've ever used - on anything. Has something changed? Or is there a side effect that I'm unaware of?
|
|
|
Post by richardlamsdale on Jun 16, 2018 15:10:33 GMT
Hi Olaf, strangely I've just been through the same issue. My dip switch was very rusty, and worked intermittently. I ended-up buying a few, as I wasn't totally happy with the non-original ones. The photo below shows what I bought. On the left is one for a Land Rover - it has the same terminals, and they are spade connectors, but it is too short so the pedal is at the wrong angle. The one on the right is a new Lucas equivalent for the original one, but it is slightly shorter and has screw terminals - it seems they don't make them with spade connectors. It should work but is slightly shorter and has a plastic end-cap. In the end I found a NOS switch on eBay (the middle one), which is identical to original. Not the cheapest, but I searched for 'Lucas dip switch foot' and there are a few available, either used or NOS. You could probably dismantle the original but it's riveted through the mounting holes, so you would need to drill them out then use nuts to hold it together when done. Hope that helps!
|
|
|
Post by OlafR on Jun 18, 2018 7:24:40 GMT
Good morning! Thanks everyone, all very helpful. Even though I'm convinced that the cause of the problem is some pin or resiliant contact, I don't see why I shouldn't try some WD40. :-) In the end I found a NOS switch on eBay (the middle one), which is identical to original. Not the cheapest, but I searched for 'Lucas dip switch foot' and there are a few available, either used or NOS. That's very interesting. The Landrover switch looks like it could be just what Wadhams is selling ( here's Wadhams' dipswitch). I'll probably order one from Wadhams anyway (it costs £14/net) as I urgently need other parts and need to order today. If you do (still) have the Lucas part number it might make it a bit easier for me to find an NOS part. I've just searched ebay UK/GER, but couldn't find any. Tons of them there, but none being a close fit. Cheers, Olaf
|
|
|
Post by Phil Nottingham on Jun 18, 2018 20:38:50 GMT
That switch will suffice but the circular one will be a direct fit. They appear on Ebay regularly
|
|
|
Post by OlafR on Jul 16, 2018 8:07:43 GMT
Good morning Gentlemen,
it's been over two weeks that I fitted Wadham's dip switch, but it took until Saturday until I drove the car during the dark.
Yes, it's a tiny bit (I'd say ~2mm or 1/16") shorter compared to the original. But the mounting bracket has two elongated holes, so I simply pushed it up as far as possible. It was an easy fit and works like a charm, I didn't notice any difference in the handling whatsoever.
It took me 4 out of 6 possible attempts to get the wiring correct. In case anyone replaces their switch as well (and if the colour-coding is identical): the wire with the narrow black line is top right, the one with the wide black marking bottom right and the plain blue one top left.
Cheers, Olaf
Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by stan on Jul 16, 2018 12:23:05 GMT
Good morning Gentlemen, it's been over two weeks that I fitted Wadham's dip switch, but it took until Saturday until I drove the car during the dark. Yes, it's a tiny bit (I'd say ~2mm or 1/16") shorter compared to the original. But the mounting bracket has two elongated holes, so I simply pushed it up as far as possible. It was an easy fit and works like a charm, I didn't notice any difference in the handling whatsoever.
It took me 4 out of 6 possible attempts to get the wiring correct. In case anyone replaces their switch as well (and if the colour-coding is identical): the wire with the narrow black line is top right, the one with the wide black marking bottom right and the plain blue one top left.
Cheers, Olaf
Nice job. I have to say in modern traffic I do miss the instant flick back for headlight flash, instead of - ensure sidelights on then flip on and off the headlamps, by the time I have gone through that lot I have grown a beard and aged 2 years. 😀😀
|
|
|
Post by OlafR on Jul 16, 2018 12:35:24 GMT
Nice job. I have to say in modern traffic I do miss the instant flick back for headlight flash, instead of - ensure sidelights on then flip on and off the headlamps, by the time I have gone through that lot I have grown a beard and aged 2 years. 😀😀 Yes, I'm with you 100%. Back in the 80s I spent some time in the US. All their cars (all auto transmission) had the foot switch as well. Particularly in the Rover where the stalk is a bit far in the back it's so much more convenient to use the foot switch.
Cheers, Olaf
|
|