Hello chaps.
I bought a Japanese jaguar from Ebay about a year ago now, and one of the switches on the lower switchplate had always been a bit iffy. It would never 'snap' into position like the rest. Curiosity got the better of me, and when I removed the switchplate I noticed that the actual black plastic part was split down the middle, vertically, and the two parts just fell away in my hand.
I'm no electronics expert, but it appeared that the black plastic was connected to the rest of the wiring only by a piece of copper wire. Basically, what I'm asking is:
Will I have to replace the whole switchplate unit, or is it possible for me to get my hands on a replacement plastic part?
Thank you.
Replacing a Switch Plate
Moderated By: mods
I assume you're talking about the black part of the slide switch?
You can actually take it apart and remove it fairly easily, but you won't find a replacement very easily. But a tube of superglue will cost you less than a whole new switch (typically around £4/$5). I'd say the best thing to do is remove the black plastic piece, break it apart fully by gently easing the split open with a knife (if the split is only partial) clean the surfaces slightly with some sandpaper (only slightly so as not to distort the shape much) and then glue it back together according to the instructions on the tube. Let it set fully and then reassemble the switch.
You can actually take it apart and remove it fairly easily, but you won't find a replacement very easily. But a tube of superglue will cost you less than a whole new switch (typically around £4/$5). I'd say the best thing to do is remove the black plastic piece, break it apart fully by gently easing the split open with a knife (if the split is only partial) clean the surfaces slightly with some sandpaper (only slightly so as not to distort the shape much) and then glue it back together according to the instructions on the tube. Let it set fully and then reassemble the switch.
Shabba.
I forgot to say how to take it apart.
On that image you can see three downward pointing metal pieces that come from the metal side of the switch. You need to ease those back (be careful so as not to snap them, but I've never broke one and I'm fairly clumsy so I imagine they won't snap easily). You can use a flat-head screwdriver with a thin point or similar, but only go back as far as necessary as when you reassemble you'll need to bend them back to the original position.
When all six are out of the way, the electronic surface board part will be moveable and you can then take it out. Though when you do take note of how it is internally assembled. It's a simple construction but can be a little fiddly. I've not done it to a Jaguar switch but have to a Mustang and if the same there will be a couple of small pieces of thin bent metal that go into the underside of the black plastic piece that is broken (these are what make contact between the terminals on the switch), so be careful not to lose them and to not how they go.
Have a look at the internal contacts while you have it apart. If they are visible dirty you can clean them a little with sandpaper to expose the metal surface. This is only sometimes necessary on original 60s switches so I doubt it will be but you never know if someone has previously poured beer in there or whatever.
It might be necessary to desolder the connections in order to take it apart, certainly a ground wire coming from the side of the casing. So be prepared to take not of that, too.
On that image you can see three downward pointing metal pieces that come from the metal side of the switch. You need to ease those back (be careful so as not to snap them, but I've never broke one and I'm fairly clumsy so I imagine they won't snap easily). You can use a flat-head screwdriver with a thin point or similar, but only go back as far as necessary as when you reassemble you'll need to bend them back to the original position.
When all six are out of the way, the electronic surface board part will be moveable and you can then take it out. Though when you do take note of how it is internally assembled. It's a simple construction but can be a little fiddly. I've not done it to a Jaguar switch but have to a Mustang and if the same there will be a couple of small pieces of thin bent metal that go into the underside of the black plastic piece that is broken (these are what make contact between the terminals on the switch), so be careful not to lose them and to not how they go.
Have a look at the internal contacts while you have it apart. If they are visible dirty you can clean them a little with sandpaper to expose the metal surface. This is only sometimes necessary on original 60s switches so I doubt it will be but you never know if someone has previously poured beer in there or whatever.
It might be necessary to desolder the connections in order to take it apart, certainly a ground wire coming from the side of the casing. So be prepared to take not of that, too.
Shabba.