8-Position Rotary Switch Problem

[Red Baron]

The selector rof was froze up with rust and the portion where the wired hook up behind the meterboc face was turning with the knob, although it didn't appear that any wires were damaged. I replaced with a new rotary switch and carefully put the wires on the proper numbers, but now only 2 functions work and they're both HP Rinse. Any suggestions?

 

[I.B. Washincars]

On my stuff there is usually a jumper from 11 to 21. If that jumper is not there I would think that all services on one stack would be dead. Maybe the two you have working are rinse and HP wax???

Actually, HP rinse is all that's needed for blowing off mud, grease, and grass clippings anyway

 

[Red Baron]

Actually, HP rinse is all that's needed for blowing off mud, grease, and grass clippings anyway

Very funny. lol Yeah, I was missing the jumper. I called my dist and he walked me through it.

 

[Red Baron]

I matched the screw numbers and the colored wires to a bay right beside it, and for whatever reason the flat spot on the rotar knob stem came out in the wrong place. I've got it screwed down tight and it works fine but I'll probably need to grind another flat spot with my Dremmel tool...unless I'm missing something obvious.

 

[Whale of a Wash]

I've used some slick 50 spray and different silicones down the shaft and have had them free up and work for many more years.

 

[crewchief97]

I've used some slick 50 spray and different silicones down the shaft and have had them free up and work for many more years.

Same here, I do it as regular maintance.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I've had two different brands of switches (Shallco & Electroswitch) and they fail in opposite ways. One will get so tight it won't turn and it seems lubing it only makes it sieze within a couple of days. The other will get so sloppy that you can't tell which service it is pointing at on the decal. So, depending on which switch you use, you may or may not be doing any good by lubing or not lubing. My non-scientific $.02.

BTW, I don't remember which brand is the tighty or the loosey.

 

[Red Baron]

Mine was an Electroswitch that foze up. Wish I'd have thought of the Slick 50 idea before I went through all the trouble of switching them. Oh well, it's an excuse to go to Auto Zone to get some S50.

 

[MEP001]

It's the Electroswitch that freeze up. You can order a seal from Jim Gosnell at Etowah Valley Equipment that helps to keep the water out of the shaft. I put a dab of silicone grease in it at installation to improve the seal.

I've had the Shallco get really loose, and over a period of only a year. I won't ever use them again.

 

[Ghetto Wash]

I free them up with WD40 and a cordless drill. Take the knob off and put the drill on the shaft then turn and spray. I've done it by hand till my whole arm and hand are worn out by the time it frees up.

 

[copperglobe]

I've done the WD trick for years as well. I've gone one step further and I drill a small hole just outside the nut that secures the switch to the face plate. The hole is just the size of the red tube that WD uses. Take off the selector knob and spray down the hole and it kind of forces the lube down the shaft. Been doing this for years and I can't remember the last time I replaced a selector switch.