Edited title: DEFROST SWITCH REPAIR HELP!!!!!

petroscf · Post by **petroscf** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 7:47 am

I know that for most experts this will seem funny...
Switch for anti-mist rear windshield lines seems to loose contact.

OK, I have reasons to believe it is not the switch that's broken down: some time after I replaced the rear windshield, so it was reconnected with the new one, it started not working some of the times, not always...What I did was to turn it around or press it or hit it and it would work again. Now it seems to have stopped forever, but I believe it's a matter of removing it, and giving it a good clean, contact spray, and maybe having a look at the cable connection??

Can anyone tell me how to remove this without breaking anything? (especially the black plastic ring around the switch which seems rather easy to break to me...)

pilly · Post by **pilly** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 8:45 am

Just take the trim off underneath the steering column (the big part that covers the underside of the dash) and find the back of the switch. Then just push the back of it. The switch should just pop out. Try not to let the connector fall back through the hole - it can be a pain poking it back in.

petroscf · Post by **petroscf** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 8:49 am

Ok, I 'll try this, thanks!!

Oh, that underneath steering trim!!...I BADLY need a new one...
II think there used to be a thread in Wanted section...

petroscf · Post by **petroscf** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:42 am

Ok, it was very easy to remove it. So I cleaned it lubed it etc. and it still did not work!!
The easy answer is to fit that new one I have in my store from W&N...
However, as I really believe that the old one is not broken down yet, I would like to try the difficult way...: Is it easy to open the switch (and try to repair it?)

pilly · Post by **pilly** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 9:06 am

I would assume the switch is kind of like the hazard switch, so there should just be some tabs that lock down around the side of it. So just pry them open and it should come apart.
For a bit more detail i think i would just follow the same steps as doing the hazard switch.
http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4099
I'm sure you would have seen this?

petroscf · Post by **petroscf** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:21 am

I saw that, thanks!
I 'll try it...(keeping my fingers crossed!!)

petroscf · Post by **petroscf** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:51 pm

Ok, here's my progress, and, pics, for the ones that love detail!!

petroscf · Post by **petroscf** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:54 pm

Now, can anyone consult me what to do?
For example, should I clean it very well from dust and old lubricating fluids and lube it again?
with what? WD40 would be ok? Or should I use something less liquid, such as vaseline or grease?

petroscf · Post by **petroscf** » Sun May 01, 2011 8:14 am

.......nobody?
Maybe I was not so clear:
I saw the post about the hazzard switch.
The difference here is that the pop-in and pop out of the switch is working perfectly (at least was, until I opened the switch in pieces, now who knows after re-assembling??

)...So, that post may be followed up to the disassembling part which has been done.
My problem is that the switch had recently lost contact (?) .. I used to press the switch in (it perfectly pressed and seemed to work) but the bulb wouldn't give light, and the rear lines wouldn't work (brand new rear window, lines perfectly worked during almost the whole winter, so no problem with that...)

petroscf · Post by **petroscf** » Sun May 01, 2011 8:17 am

...could this be just a matter of light bulb??
I mean, if the light bulb has gone off, should the switch still work with the bulb dark?
(if yes, then I am an idiot for not replacing the bulb on the first place, but desassembling the whole switch....)

petroscf · Post by **petroscf** » Thu May 12, 2011 9:16 am

I really think that nobody has an interest in this thread but I make a last update just to mention that I MADE IT!!!
I repaired the poor little switch and now it works again!!!!!

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Edited title: DEFROST SWITCH REPAIR HELP!!!!!

Edited title: DEFROST SWITCH REPAIR HELP!!!!!

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Re: Edited title: DEFROST SWITCH REPAIR HELP!!!!!