Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

During my minor re-wiring project I've found a issue with my passenger side window switch. It was a bit dodgy from when I got it, and it's appeared to have gotten worse. It will work in one direction, but generally not the other. I think it just needs a good clean.

Is it possible to disassemble the switch? I removed it and have had a look, but I don't want to force anything as they appear to be a bit hard to replace! I've read of people spraying contact cleaner into the switch and operating it a bit - I've also read that there is a chance this could damage the plastic in the switch...

This is the one I'm referring to

Never had one apart but from the looks of it a little drilling of the top of the rivets and it should come apart ..

John

Be careful of little springs and things flying everywhere
Alan

Is this a problem w/ a toggle switch or rocker switch?

I've had both my rocker switches apart on my S3 SS, cleaned and reassemble w/ very favorable results.

Roger

I suppose you'd call them a rocker switch, but it's not the flat plastic ones. Here's some more photos I found online (off a jag, but appears to be identical). I'm away for work at the moment so I can't take a photo of mine.





I couldn't see much in the way of rivets to drill out to get into them.

I've found a few references to pulling apart the plastic rocker switches, but not these chrome ones.

Chris
Rivets top and bottom and then the plastic should come away from the front metal plate..

John

OK, I see. How is it re-attached afterwards? They aren't typical rivets that I have seen before, and have a recess for the screw head to seat in.

I disassembled my Sprint late model rocker switches, because my windows were moving up and down so slowly. I cleaned the contacts with steel wool and then put a drop or two of Deoxit on it. Just doing that made the switches, and the windows, operate a lot faster.

Gary
'71 Sprint FHC
Miami, Florida

My SS rocker switches were same as in Gary's photo. I cleaned my contacts w/ a pencil erasure; much faster speed for the windows.

Roger

Chris
Can't see from the photos but what I do generally is drill in gently from the plastic side and just remove the peened over head , this will leave a tube in the body that can be persuaded out with the metal cover , after cleaning and reassembling a drop of superglue on the tube is usually enough to keep it in place..

That is if you cannot source a couple of hollow rivets.

John

So just after I got my drill out and all ready to get stuck in I got a bit of isopropyl alcohol anencephaly sprayed liberally into the switch and gave it a good toggle and she?s come good! So no pictures of the inside unfortunately, but I have a working window again

A bit late it seems as you have yours working again, but I found these on a well known auction site. I have no connecting with them but might help someone... https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2358714618