'99 turn signal switch wearing out - workaround

[Modano]

Hi All,

my 1999 2.0 TD is starting to have the left indicator switch wearing out. (265k kms)

Since a couple of days, it is starting to "fail" more than half of the time, and this is worsening. By failing, I mean, the indicator ticks twice as fast (like for a blown bulb). No blown bulb, hazard lights are fine and right indicator is perfect (no relay issue I guess).

So I dismounted the switch assembly, and saw the usual 3 brass points, the center one being a little bit wearing, and the spring-pushed metal part also is starting to seriously getting worn.

Using a contact cleaner on the metal plate (pushed by the spring) didn't help...I tried to solder something, but I think the 60% stain isn't "soldering" there...then I thought of a bad trick : I prepared a small squared aluminium foil (bent several times) and positioned it on top of the center "brass point". It seems to work flawlessly...

My question : How much current goes through these brass connectors ? Is that only a signal, then relayed, or is there the whole indicator current going through these connectors ? I mean, is there a specific risk of using this aluminium foil there ? I careful not removed the dielectric grease, although a bit is gone in the cleaning. I don't want to mess anything.

 

Thanks ;)

[Konrad C]

Years back I had the same problem. If I can remember correctly, I dismantled the indicator switch and bent the contact for the left side a bit, to make better contact. I used contact cleaner and I think I turn and part of the contact around. It worked well after that. I then changed the whole switch a couple of years ago because the lights flickered when switched to main beam. I installed a phase two, face lift.

So if your car is a higher spec with front fogs, you can still use the later face lift Mk1, if you are not successful with the indicators. 

[Modano]

Hi Konrad,

thx for your reply.

The whole switch I have should be a MK1.PH1. It has front fogs, and it has a wire attached to a black box that fits on top of the steering wheel housing. No idea what it is used for, but on eBay I never saw a similar assembly. Do you confirm that a MK1. PH2 (FL) works the same ? Did they somehow replace this black wired housing into the switch ?

And any confirmation no big current or danger on using multiple alu foils in that place. Thanks

[Konrad C]

1 hour ago, Modano said:

Hi Konrad,

thx for your reply.

The whole switch I have should be a MK1.PH1. It has front fogs, and it has a wire attached to a black box that fits on top of the steering wheel housing. No idea what it is used for, but on ebay I never saw a similar assembly. Do you confirm that a MK1. PH2 (FL) works the same ? Did they somehow replace this black wired housing into the switch ?

And any confirmation no big current or danger on using multiple alu foils in that place. Thanks

Yes I can confirm that the phase 2 T22 with front fog switch will fit and work. Here is the post - 

Glad I found it as I would have to go through my archives to find the photos.