Volkswagen Signal Switch Mystery Solved

 This is a 1958 thru 62 Volkswagen direction signal switch--taken apart. These are notable because the switch itself allows both the direction signals and the brake lights to work with just one bulb on each side at the rear. Not this switch though---it worked only part of the time for turning left and not at all turning right.

 I asked several VW techs how this type of switch worked. Summed up, their answer was, "...uhh...it's all in that switch."  I already knew that so I took one apart to find out. Above [left]--the corroded contact plate. On the right-- the greasy mechanical gubbins.  This one was NASTY inside!   

 The same grubby contact plate on the left. On the right--an interesting rotating contact plate that makes the one-bulb system work correctly.

 The parts look a lot better after going through the sheep dip in the ultrasound tank. I gave the parts a special rinse in the ultrasound tank and careful lubrication with modern, non-hardening lubes. Nothing was broken in this switch--but it was a mess of old, very hard grease and a lot of corrosion.  

All better now and ready for another 50 years of service in somebody's restored Beetle!

SAAB DIRECTION SIGNAL SWITCH REPAIR

Direction signal switches get tired after 40+ years of directing, and they come to me with a variety of maladies. They don't stay switched on, they don't GO on, the handle is broken, and they are ugly dirty and nasty. I have to take 'em all apart, clean out the grime and old, solidified grease, renew the electrical contacts, and do other magical tricks to them to make them think they should work for another 40 years or so.


Above is a 4410 [manufacturer's number] switch, as used on the early Saab 95/96/97 [Sonett] cars. There are a number of wee springs, retainers, and movable contacts in there. This shows them after I've worked my magic on them, and the switch is ready to go back together.

Here is the before and after. The one at the top of the photo has given up on directing. The one below has had my magic wand passed over it and is ready for the next 40 years. If your switch has gone wonky on you, don't despair--I can probably make it work like new once again!