Can you rebuild Lark rocker switches?

[showbizkid]

I went out tonight for a little drive at dusk, just to see how my headlights were aimed (terribly!), and everything was fine... until, after about 10 minutes, I saw my headlamps and dashboard lights dim rather rapidly, then go out altogether. And I smelled the unmistakable smell of hot electricals.

The headlight switch is obviously dirty inside, and had turned into a big resistor. After snapping the switch off and then back on, the lights came back on at full brightness and I drove home.

SO... can these rockers be rebuilt? Cleaned up? Or should I just plan on replcing them with new ones as I can find them?

Before anyone suggests headlight relays - I know, and I plan on doing that sooner or later, but even so the problem with the dirty switch remains.


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Clark in San Diego
'63 F2/Lark Standard
http://studeblogger.blogspot.com
www.studebakersandiego.com

[silverhawk]

I don't see why you can't do them if you are carefull. I've taken switches apart and cleaned them before.

Dylan Wills
[IMG][/IMG]
'61 lark deluxe 4 door wagon

[rockne10]

If you take them apart watch out for those tiny springs that tend to evaporate. I've managed to revive them, at least for the time being, without disassembly by spraying with electromotive cleaner.

[laughinlark]

There is also a circuit breaker for the headlights. I would change that first.

Gordon

[N8N]

heh, I used to have to do this semi-regularly with the power window switches on my old BMW. I used to carry a pocket screwdriver and a hard rubber eraser in the door pocket so if I got a sticky window I could just do it right there in the parking lot who wants to pay BMW dealer prices for new switches?

As to the original question, I disremember how to take apart the 63-66 dash switches, but I'm sure that they can be cleaned, it's just a matter of how hard they are to disassemble.

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

[tbredehoft]

Disassemble the switches inside a transparent plastic bag. Flying springs will be corralled nicely.

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Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe (since 1959)
'55 President (6H Y6) State Sedan
....On the road, again....
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars

[JGK 940]

quote:Originally posted by Tom B

Disassemble the switches inside a transparent plastic bag. Flying springs will be corralled nicely.

D'oh! This is one of those things that seems painfully obvious NOW but never occurred to me THEN

Thanks for posting. At least I'll remember it next time.

If the Oldtimer's doesn't get to me first.

Keoni Dibelka / HiloFoto
In Hawai'i; on Hawai'i; on the Windward Side
If da salt air never chew 'em up bumbye da lava will...

[Lark Hunter]

IIRC, those rockers are take-apartable. If the switch didn't get hot enough to totally torch the contacts or warp internals, you should be able clean things up and be back in business. Headlight switch might be kinda hard to locate new, not sure about the other three. LH

whirling dervish of misinformation

[57 Silver Hawk]

Showbizkid, I am not sure what year is your Studebaker car. Here is a link on Studebaker/Avanti tech tip. Scroll down slighty and you will find an information on rocker switches available from NAPA.

Steven

http://www.studebaker-info.org/rjtechx3.html#INDEX

[candbstudebakers]

"CASO"

Candbstudebakrs
Castro Valley,
California

[showbizkid]

Yeah, Bob


[img=left]http://members.cox.net/clarknovak/lark.gif[/img=left]

Clark in San Diego
'63 F2/Lark Standard
http://studeblogger.blogspot.com
www.studebakersandiego.com