Yesterday I was trying to track down why the radio +12v was always in, instead of just on when key was in RUN. Initially thinking I was getting bad contacts in the ignition switch, I dropped the column and started playing around. Removed a switch from my parts car column so I could see what I was in for if I needed to disassemble.

Turned out to be pretty easy. End clips needed to be pried off (gently), then the entire mechanism is there for viewing. Cleaned everything up, first wiping up the old dielectric grease then polishing the copper contacts with a brass brush.


Reassembly is just as simple. The most work involved removing the two plugs from the switch.

After all this, turned out my issue of the always-hot radio lead was because some PO had jumped a line from battery voltage to the electric fan relay (my L69 has a clutch fan) to the park line on the wiper motor. That voltage back-fed to the fuse box and kept the wipers and radio hot all the time.

Lots of bubba-wiring in this car. Slowly going thru everything to fix.

 

Nice. I definitely won't ever buy a junk aftermarket one now that I see the inside

 

It is an incredibly simple mechanism, the hardest part being removing it from the column, which someone would have to do anyway if they were installing a replacement. I was honestly surprised,didn't know what to expect when I popped it open.

The pic of the close-up of the inside is after I cleaned the steel contact and two of the four copper ones. Wanted a before and after kind of setup to show how clean the parts can be with very little work.

 

A lot of mechanical automotive switches can be saved with careful disassembly and cleaning. Don't forget to re-lube the contacts before re-assembling it.

 

Yep, I took mine apart and cleaned it as well. Far superior to aftermarket and worth saving.