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[GaryBC]

The driver's window switch is erratic in it's operation (not helped by leaving the window open the other night when it rained!).

I've popped the cluster out of the armrest and found that it is totally enclosed. Thusly.....



I'm loathe to take it apart (although it looks as if this is just a matter of releasing the catches) in case I get a lap-full of springs, levers and miscellaneous plastic parts!

But I reckon that, were I to be able to get at the innards, I'd either be able to wash the switch out with some Servisol - or maybe even be able to swap the dodgy switch with one I rarely use (a back one).

So will it come apart safely? And if it will, will I be able to clean/swap the switch?

If it is totally fubarred, anyone got a spare lying around? Scrappies seem to want about a score (+ carriage).

For what it is worth it has the number 0524119 moulded into the plastic, and 53239727 on a stick-on label (+ another label marked "SOP index e")

Cheers guys,
Gaz

[albitz]

If it all goes wrong, I have a spare one you could have for a reasonable price.

[RobG]

Switches aren`t interchangeable. They are controlled via a pcb. Easy enough to remove the black outer cover to expose the inners.

[GaryBC]

And if I take it apart I'm not going to get a mini-explosion of tiny bits and pieces?

[RobG]

And if I take it apart I'm not going to get a mini-explosion of tiny bits and pieces?

Nope

[GaryBC]

I'll have a go then. I'll take a few pics as I go for the benefit of the next poor sod who leaves his window open overnight and gets them wet!! LOL!!

[RobG]

No "user friendly" bits inside though

[GaryBC]

Am I likely to be able to get a Servisol nozzle anywhere close to the important bits?

[RobG]

Yep, once you remove the external cover all will be revealed

[GaryBC]

Fixed it!

Turned out to be easy peezy!!

With the cluster out and disconnected, gently release the locking tags and separate the two halves - all the moving parts stay safely in the top bit. No explosion of springs and tiny bits!

Lift off the silicone rubber contact sheet to expose the circuit board - the pcb can be removed too if needed but I'm not sure that achieves much.

On the circuit board you will see several little gold discs about 3/16" diameter. These are the contacts that need cleaning. They're gold plated so will not be corroded - the must simply suffer from some sort of film build up. I cleaned mine by rinsing the board off with switch cleaner then giving the discs a gentle rub with a clean hankie.

Turning to the silicone rubber sheet gently pop each of the little 'switch' thingies out (by pushing from the other side) and clean the gold bit with switch cleaner and hankie. Don't go mad as the gold is probably only a few microns thick and probably easily damaged. You're only cleaning the film residue off.

Leave it to dry for a few minutes then reassemble it all. That's it! It took me longer to write this than actually do the job! (It was so quick I didn't get round to taking any pics!)

Mine now works like a new 'un!!

I don't know if one of the moderators wants to move this post to the How-To section - it'll quickly get buried if it stays here and it might be of use to others.