How Do I Reassemble Signal/Lever Switch?

[Aaron Cake]

Well, I did something stupid. I removed the two screws that are clearly stamped "Do not remove". All kinds of stuff fell out.

Does anyone know how this thing goes back together?

71984

I've searched around for an hour or so and can't find any past topics about disassembly/reassembly of this switch.

The story goes that I was heading home after visiting a craft brewery some 2 hours away. As I was pulling into the city, nature called and gave me the ultimatum: stop now or clean up later. I pulled into the parking of of an abandoned hotel, the nearest location to turn off and dealt with the bladder issue. Upon getting back into the car, my knee smacked the horn button jamming it on. With the horn sounding, I fumbled with the button to no avail. After a minute of the noise, security guards and residents of the surrounding very not abandoned hotels were beginning to gather so I pulled the fuse and made a quick exit.

With the car in winter storage last week I was able to fix the horn button easily by straightening the bent contacts. However upon reinstallation I noticed the purple wire had snapped off. Due to 45 years of rubbing, no doubt. Considering it was already broken, and there was no way to access the wire with the switch assembled, I figured I may as well go for broke and take it apart.

Looks like it will be easy to reconnect the wire to the signal stock.

Looks like it will not be easy to reassemble the switch assembly.

I can always buy a new one if needed but if there is a way to reassemble this one, I'd like to give that a try.

[Gregadeth]

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[Aaron Cake]

Thank you! That was exactly what I was looking for!

I was able to reassemble the switch without any problems.

For anyone else, here are a few tips...

Use dielectric grease to help hold things in place. Especially the small copper rod and the plastic slider.

Assuming you are holding the assembly with the signal/horn lever pointing left:

-the copper spring and ball bearing go at the top
-the steel/darker spring and plastic follower go at the bottom
-both the ball and the follower face the plastic part of the case, not the top metal piece

Pull on the horn wires a bit while you seat the rotating assembly because the wires tuck into a slot within that assembly a the pivot. If the wires are loose, they will prevent it from seating.

The fattest spring goes into the hole with the copper rod.
Make sure to place one of the plastic buttons between the spring and the rod.

Once the rotating assembly is seated in the plastic base, don't forget the plastic buttons at the tops of the springs!
Otherwise you will take it apart again, as I did.

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