My Willys 3A and 3B Community

3A, 3B, DJ Technical Knowledge Base => "Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations => Topic started by: 1955CJ-5 on September 03, 2013, 09:24:03 PM

Title: Dimmer switch....
Post by: 1955CJ-5 on September 03, 2013, 09:24:03 PM
My dimmer switch doesn't seem to work..no continuity between any of the poles, in either switch position...so I'm looking but can't find one that looks like this one....most have the one-piece cast housing...

What does the original look like??

Randy
Title: Re: Dimmer switch....
Post by: Ryan_M on September 03, 2013, 09:33:10 PM
Mine was dead too. I'd like to think it was original but I have no way to know for sure. Looks pretty much the same as yours. I bought a new one from Walcks. Here's the old one:
Title: Re: Dimmer switch....
Post by: 1955CJ-5 on September 03, 2013, 09:58:35 PM
Yes, I'd say they are identical....but mine's a little rustier!

Thanks for the picture..!

I'm going to see if I can get mine apart without breaking it....nothing to loose....
Title: Re: Dimmer switch....
Post by: Ryan_M on September 03, 2013, 10:03:54 PM
Let me know if you are able to repair yours. I guess that's why I've kept mine around. Might be another one of those rainy day projects....
Title: Re: Dimmer switch....
Post by: 1955CJ-5 on September 03, 2013, 10:54:36 PM
Don't save it for a whole day....an hour maybe..

I carefully straightened the tabs holding the back on..

(http://i1055.photobucket.com/albums/s519/green55jeep/51%20cj-3a%20rust%20pictures/th_P1060540_zps89293658.jpg) (http://s1055.photobucket.com/user/green55jeep/media/51%20cj-3a%20rust%20pictures/P1060540_zps89293658.jpg.html)

(http://i1055.photobucket.com/albums/s519/green55jeep/51%20cj-3a%20rust%20pictures/th_P1060539_zps86f8fc4a.jpg) (http://s1055.photobucket.com/user/green55jeep/media/51%20cj-3a%20rust%20pictures/P1060539_zps86f8fc4a.jpg.html)

I cleaned all the contacts, and lubed the mechanism with some light grease

(http://i1055.photobucket.com/albums/s519/green55jeep/51%20cj-3a%20rust%20pictures/th_P1060541_zps364a5343.jpg) (http://s1055.photobucket.com/user/green55jeep/media/51%20cj-3a%20rust%20pictures/P1060541_zps364a5343.jpg.html)

assembled it, and it works!

(http://i1055.photobucket.com/albums/s519/green55jeep/51%20cj-3a%20rust%20pictures/th_P1060546_zps23839ab5.jpg)


Title: Re: Dimmer switch....
Post by: 1955CJ-5 on September 03, 2013, 10:59:41 PM
Well, I was so pleased with the dimmer, I tackled the headlight switch..

The tabs are smaller so a very small standard screwdriver did the initial bends..

Parts are more or less in order here and oriented correctly

(http://i1055.photobucket.com/albums/s519/green55jeep/51%20cj-3a%20rust%20pictures/th_P1060542_zps31227216.jpg) (http://s1055.photobucket.com/user/green55jeep/media/51%20cj-3a%20rust%20pictures/P1060542_zps31227216.jpg.html)

You can see the corroded terminals

(http://i1055.photobucket.com/albums/s519/green55jeep/51%20cj-3a%20rust%20pictures/th_P1060543_zps456a7a3f.jpg) (http://s1055.photobucket.com/user/green55jeep/media/51%20cj-3a%20rust%20pictures/P1060543_zps456a7a3f.jpg.html)

cleaned...

(http://i1055.photobucket.com/albums/s519/green55jeep/51%20cj-3a%20rust%20pictures/th_P1060544_zpsc6f5603e.jpg) (http://s1055.photobucket.com/user/green55jeep/media/51%20cj-3a%20rust%20pictures/P1060544_zpsc6f5603e.jpg.html)

Lubed and re-assembled...It's smooth and it works!

(http://i1055.photobucket.com/albums/s519/green55jeep/51%20cj-3a%20rust%20pictures/th_P1060545_zps0865b9c1.jpg)



Title: Re: Dimmer switch....
Post by: stony on September 04, 2013, 01:53:11 AM
It is so great to see someone fix their old stuff!!!! ;)
Title: Re: Dimmer switch....
Post by: Bob W on September 04, 2013, 07:55:02 AM
Thanks for posting these repairs. Generally a repaired original part is superior to a brand new reproduction component.
Title: Re: Dimmer switch....
Post by: 1955CJ-5 on September 04, 2013, 02:56:21 PM
I don't think there is anything more satisfying than preserving the original equipment, in this case the switches, and re-installing for another 60+ years of service.