Park Light/Dash light issue

[AL-58]

When i got my car, testing showed that the dashlights worked on the park light position but not on the headlight position. Looking at the wiring diagram in the manual showed me that the dashlights and the parklights are both powered by the same connection on the headlight switch going to 2 separate fuses. So I looked and found that when I turned the headlights on I didnt have dashlights and I also didnt have parklights/tail lights either. Not good for driving at night. To me it seemed to be most likely a switch problem, a bad connection internally on the dash/park light terminal. I decided to exercise the switch on and off a few dozen times and i now have headlights, dash lights and park lights all working most of the time. Probably just a dirty connection from a lack of use.

Is it possible to disassemble the switch to clean/resolder the contacts to make it more reliable or is this just something you'd replace?

 

[colnerov]

Yes it's lack of use, the same happens with the hazard switch and that throws up all sorts of problems. The remedy is, as you've found is lots of operations, you don't need or want to dismantle the switch, just squirt some switch cleaner in it and operate it some more.

 

[GRTV8]

Oh yeah ,I remember when my ignition switch went on holiday whilst driving. 50yrs of dust attached itself to all the factory sealed wax/grease points of contact inside the ignition switch itself.
Like colnerov said. switch cleaner injected and regrease -all like new.

 

[AL-58]

Yes it's lack of use, the same happens with the hazard switch and that throws up all sorts of problems. The remedy is, as you've found is lots of operations, you don't need or want to dismantle the switch, just squirt some switch cleaner in it and operate it some more.

The only reason I suggested disassembly is that the switches on my 80s and 90s BMW motorcycles are actually designed for disassembly and reassembly. Have opened things up, cleaned, built up solder on contacts more than a few times.

I have a can of contact cleaner at home, will look after it.