S3 indicator stalk/switches? Clean or replace

Speedy6111 · Jun 4, 2019

Folks - my headlights stop working after I’ve indicated. A quick pull on the stalk (ie, a high beam flash) restores the headlight. So clearly there is a contact issue in the stalk.

Can switches be cleaned? Do the contacts just wear out? Do I clean or replace?

Replacements are £14 for Britpart or £22 for OE/ Lucas.

Thanks

Colthebrummie · Jun 4, 2019

First, just check the connectors, there may be a loose one. You may need to buy a new one though.

Col

Bobsticle · Jun 4, 2019

Last resort.

The new ones are garbage.

rob1miles · Jun 4, 2019

As above, clean what you have, it will outlast several replacments. Be creative, you can run solder on contacts to build them up,

Speedy6111 · Jun 4, 2019

Thanks all. I will attempt to save the original. I had wondered about solder so will see how the contacts are when I pull it apart.

Blackburn · Jun 4, 2019

Best fit some relays to take the load off the contacts. Boomslang do a kit sold by Paddocks

Ironstrike · Jun 4, 2019

Speedy6111 said:
Folks - my headlights stop working after I’ve indicated. A quick pull on the stalk (ie, a high beam flash) restores the headlight. So clearly there is a contact issue in the stalk.

Can switches be cleaned? Do the contacts just wear out? Do I clean or replace?

Replacements are £14 for Britpart or £22 for OE/ Lucas.

Thanks

Stay away from Britpart stalks, they fall apart before you can even fit them

steve2286w · Jun 4, 2019

Are you sure the one on is not a cheapy , my replacement cheapy had soft copper contacts in it that didn’t offfer the springiness for good contact and lead to flickering lights , I tried adjusting them but that didn’t work and then splashed out on a Lucas , been on now for years

Speedy6111 · Jun 5, 2019

steve2286w said:
Are you sure the one on is not a cheapy , my replacement cheapy had soft copper contacts in it that didn’t offfer the springiness for good contact and lead to flickering lights , I tried adjusting them but that didn’t work and then splashed out on a Lucas , been on now for years

Fair question. I have no idea. I guess I take it apart and look for a makers mark?

Speedy6111 · Jun 5, 2019

Ok. Had a look. Loose contact on the power wire aggravated by the up/ down motion of the indicator stalk. Construction was a copper rivet joining a contact to the switch body. That rivet was slightly loose. Compress with needlenose pliers and a dab of solder. Seems ok now, time will tell if it’s durable.
Couldn’t tell if it was OEM or a replacement. General patina might suggest OEM but ???

Thanks for the help folks.

rob1miles · Jun 5, 2019

With this type of stuff I think its worth getting OEM parts from auto jumbles and fixing them up ready as they will last much longer then the modern replacements.

Riggwelter · Jun 9, 2019

Here is a selection of stalks... the price tags probably speak for themselves.

S3 indicator stalk/switches? Clean or replace

Speedy6111

Active Member

Colthebrummie

Well-Known Member

Bobsticle

De Villes Advocaat

rob1miles

Well-Known Member

Speedy6111

Active Member

Blackburn

Well-Known Member

Ironstrike

Well-Known Member

steve2286w

Well-Known Member

Speedy6111

Active Member

Speedy6111

Active Member

rob1miles

Well-Known Member

Riggwelter

Active Member

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