S3 indicator stalk/switches? Clean or replace

Folks - my headlights stop working after I’ve indicated. A quick pull on the stalk (ie, a high beam flash) restores the headlight. So clearly there is a contact issue in the stalk.

Can switches be cleaned? Do the contacts just wear out? Do I clean or replace?

Replacements are £14 for Britpart or £22 for OE/ Lucas.

Thanks

First, just check the connectors, there may be a loose one. You may need to buy a new one though.

Col

Last resort.

The new ones are garbage.

As above, clean what you have, it will outlast several replacments. Be creative, you can run solder on contacts to build them up,

Thanks all. I will attempt to save the original. I had wondered about solder so will see how the contacts are when I pull it apart.

Best fit some relays to take the load off the contacts. Boomslang do a kit sold by Paddocks

Speedy6111 said:

Folks - my headlights stop working after I’ve indicated. A quick pull on the stalk (ie, a high beam flash) restores the headlight. So clearly there is a contact issue in the stalk.

Can switches be cleaned? Do the contacts just wear out? Do I clean or replace?

Replacements are £14 for Britpart or £22 for OE/ Lucas.

Thanks

Click to expand...

Stay away from Britpart stalks, they fall apart before you can even fit them

Are you sure the one on is not a cheapy , my replacement cheapy had soft copper contacts in it that didn’t offfer the springiness for good contact and lead to flickering lights , I tried adjusting them but that didn’t work and then splashed out on a Lucas , been on now for years

steve2286w said:

Are you sure the one on is not a cheapy , my replacement cheapy had soft copper contacts in it that didn’t offfer the springiness for good contact and lead to flickering lights , I tried adjusting them but that didn’t work and then splashed out on a Lucas , been on now for years

Click to expand...

Fair question. I have no idea. I guess I take it apart and look for a makers mark?

Ok. Had a look. Loose contact on the power wire aggravated by the up/ down motion of the indicator stalk. Construction was a copper rivet joining a contact to the switch body. That rivet was slightly loose. Compress with needlenose pliers and a dab of solder. Seems ok now, time will tell if it’s durable.
Couldn’t tell if it was OEM or a replacement. General patina might suggest OEM but ???

Thanks for the help folks.

With this type of stuff I think its worth getting OEM parts from auto jumbles and fixing them up ready as they will last much longer then the modern replacements.

Here is a selection of stalks... the price tags probably speak for themselves.