My front and rear foglights were non functioning.
Checked the fuses = all good.
No clicking at the relay = jumped the relay and the lights came on
Must be the switch!
And after disassembly... yep.
There's ya problem!
In case others have the same problem, avoid the temptation to sand down the contacts.
You'll just introduce grit and contamination - Best to chemically clean.
Here's a quick home recipe for cleaning copper switch contacts.
You'll need three small containers, a few small model brushes and Q tips or cotton buds.
A. Acid solution
Add 1 tablespoon of salt into 1 container.
Fill with vinegar - doesn't matter how much vinegar, you'll need to dissolve as much salt in the vinegar as it can handle.
B. Neutralising solution
Add 1 tablespoon of Sodium Bicarbonate, (baking soda) to the other container.
Fill with water and stir.
Add more baking soda to make it cloudy.
Again, the exact amount isn't important - the bi-carb solution will neutralise the acidic cleaning solution.
C. Wash down
Fill the last container with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) preferably 99% IPA.
Disassemble the switch.
If your switch contacts are greasy, dip a cotton bud into solution C. to dissolve the grease.
Take the small brush or cotton tips and dip into solution A.
Wipe on the contacts and agitate - may need a few dips into the solution.
If badly oxidised Will take a few minutes or so.
You'll need to keep applying solution A. to keep cleaning.
When you're happy shake off the drips and use the brush to apply solution B.
You only need to apply and agitate to stop the acidic process.
Best to rinse off the part in solution C. to get rid of any baking soda residue (otherwise you may have a dusty residue).
Shake off and let the part dry.
Rinse & repeat for the other parts.
Reassemble and you're all set!
Optional to add some conductive grease to prevent corrosion & peace of mind.
I'd avoid dielectric grease on these switch contacts as dielectric grease is an insulator and if it's silicone based can lead to arcing.
Ready for another 30+ years.
Checked the fuses = all good.
No clicking at the relay = jumped the relay and the lights came on
Must be the switch!
And after disassembly... yep.
There's ya problem!
In case others have the same problem, avoid the temptation to sand down the contacts.
You'll just introduce grit and contamination - Best to chemically clean.
Here's a quick home recipe for cleaning copper switch contacts.
You'll need three small containers, a few small model brushes and Q tips or cotton buds.
A. Acid solution
Add 1 tablespoon of salt into 1 container.
Fill with vinegar - doesn't matter how much vinegar, you'll need to dissolve as much salt in the vinegar as it can handle.
B. Neutralising solution
Add 1 tablespoon of Sodium Bicarbonate, (baking soda) to the other container.
Fill with water and stir.
Add more baking soda to make it cloudy.
Again, the exact amount isn't important - the bi-carb solution will neutralise the acidic cleaning solution.
C. Wash down
Fill the last container with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) preferably 99% IPA.
Disassemble the switch.
If your switch contacts are greasy, dip a cotton bud into solution C. to dissolve the grease.
Take the small brush or cotton tips and dip into solution A.
Wipe on the contacts and agitate - may need a few dips into the solution.
If badly oxidised Will take a few minutes or so.
You'll need to keep applying solution A. to keep cleaning.
When you're happy shake off the drips and use the brush to apply solution B.
You only need to apply and agitate to stop the acidic process.
Best to rinse off the part in solution C. to get rid of any baking soda residue (otherwise you may have a dusty residue).
Shake off and let the part dry.
Rinse & repeat for the other parts.
Reassemble and you're all set!
Optional to add some conductive grease to prevent corrosion & peace of mind.
I'd avoid dielectric grease on these switch contacts as dielectric grease is an insulator and if it's silicone based can lead to arcing.
Ready for another 30+ years.
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