Wiper / Light Switch
Discussion
Hi All
The wiper / light switch has expired in my S2. I've fixed it once and its held together with araldite, so a repeat repair isn't looking likely.
Its the same problem as before, the plastic housing has melted and the contacts have been pushed backwards. I should have installed a relay but never got round to it!
What I have discovered it that the column switch is rare as rocking horse poo because its one without the intermittant function. If you push the wiper stalk down and let go, the wipers operate once and the switch springs back to the off position. I have found a direct replacement but its not cheap so I'm looking at other options before splashing the cash.
I managed to get a new old stock unit off a Sierra Hatchback. Unfortunately, whilst the light side of the switch appears to work, the screen wash stays permanently on. There's also the other issue of the extra functions for the rear window wiper - so its not much use really!
I have also found another unit which is nearly identical to the original, but when pushing the wiper stalk down it latches on for an intermittent function.
A few questions:
Has anyone swapped their original switch unit (like mine) to one with the latching intermittent function? If so, was it a direct swap with no wiring changes?
Having done a search I know some people have installed a relay to stop the switch melting. Where in the lighting circuit did you install it? I looked at the wiring diagram and discovered that its not as straight forward as I originally thought due to the dim dip unit. Whatever I do I'm going to do this anyway so I don't melt my new switch!
Has anyone fitted an intermittent relay on their wipers? I'm working on the basis that if I replace my original switch with the latching type, I might as well install an intermittent function as I always felt the car needed one anyway.
Any advice / assistance would be very much appreciated.
Cheers
Tom
The wiper / light switch has expired in my S2. I've fixed it once and its held together with araldite, so a repeat repair isn't looking likely.
Its the same problem as before, the plastic housing has melted and the contacts have been pushed backwards. I should have installed a relay but never got round to it!
What I have discovered it that the column switch is rare as rocking horse poo because its one without the intermittant function. If you push the wiper stalk down and let go, the wipers operate once and the switch springs back to the off position. I have found a direct replacement but its not cheap so I'm looking at other options before splashing the cash.
I managed to get a new old stock unit off a Sierra Hatchback. Unfortunately, whilst the light side of the switch appears to work, the screen wash stays permanently on. There's also the other issue of the extra functions for the rear window wiper - so its not much use really!
I have also found another unit which is nearly identical to the original, but when pushing the wiper stalk down it latches on for an intermittent function.
A few questions:
Has anyone swapped their original switch unit (like mine) to one with the latching intermittent function? If so, was it a direct swap with no wiring changes?
Having done a search I know some people have installed a relay to stop the switch melting. Where in the lighting circuit did you install it? I looked at the wiring diagram and discovered that its not as straight forward as I originally thought due to the dim dip unit. Whatever I do I'm going to do this anyway so I don't melt my new switch!
Has anyone fitted an intermittent relay on their wipers? I'm working on the basis that if I replace my original switch with the latching type, I might as well install an intermittent function as I always felt the car needed one anyway.
Any advice / assistance would be very much appreciated.
Cheers
Tom
Thanks Ken
I've got the part numbers from the existing unit:
83BG11K665BA and I've been told another part number is 6096400, which like you say are off a mk3 escort.
I figured that the chances of finding a good one in a scrappy were not that high as its likely that the switches would have had more use than the TVR application. (I don't know whether Ford fitted a relay in their circuit though so I could be talking rubbish!). This is why I was looking for a new one.
Perhaps I'll take a wander down my local scrappy next weekend....
Anyone got any suggestions on relay positions and intermittent functions?
I've got the part numbers from the existing unit:
83BG11K665BA and I've been told another part number is 6096400, which like you say are off a mk3 escort.
I figured that the chances of finding a good one in a scrappy were not that high as its likely that the switches would have had more use than the TVR application. (I don't know whether Ford fitted a relay in their circuit though so I could be talking rubbish!). This is why I was looking for a new one.
Perhaps I'll take a wander down my local scrappy next weekend....
Anyone got any suggestions on relay positions and intermittent functions?
Thought I'd post an update on this. Its becoming a bit like War and Peace....
I figured that the lack of responses (not meant as a dig in any way) meant that not many people had experienced this one yet!
I managed to obtain a new old stock switch for a reasonable cost (£40). The serial number is 83BG11K665CA and it looks identical to the original. It has the intermittent latch rather than the flick wipe function on the original however. I've got photos of both units if thats any use to people.
What I did discover when fitting the new switch is that in its "as manufactured" state it fouls the dashboard! Looking at the old switch, what I thought was additional heat damage from the current passing through it, would appear to be heat applied to the stalk to bend it forward away from the dash. I have "modified" the new switch in a similar way using a hot air gun. Can't say I was wonderfully happy about doing this to a brand new switch, but I wasn't left with much choice.
It would be interesting to hear whether anyone else has had to do this. - Or perhaps my car had the wrong switches fitted some time in the dim distant past? - It could even be the "every one is different being hand made" factor.
Does anyone else have the part numbers for the column switches on their cars?
I have checked the multi-connector to the switch and there is no wiring to the intermittent function terminals, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem to install the wiring to enable me to use an adjustable intermittent wiper kit from Maplins.
I have also managed to source a relay and base for switching the lights (generous electrical engineer - its an RS relay) and will advise on where in the circuit it gets put. (When I get round to doing it, which will be sooner rather than later)
I forgot to say its an August 89 S2
I hope this is helpful to someone
Tom
I figured that the lack of responses (not meant as a dig in any way) meant that not many people had experienced this one yet!
I managed to obtain a new old stock switch for a reasonable cost (£40). The serial number is 83BG11K665CA and it looks identical to the original. It has the intermittent latch rather than the flick wipe function on the original however. I've got photos of both units if thats any use to people.
What I did discover when fitting the new switch is that in its "as manufactured" state it fouls the dashboard! Looking at the old switch, what I thought was additional heat damage from the current passing through it, would appear to be heat applied to the stalk to bend it forward away from the dash. I have "modified" the new switch in a similar way using a hot air gun. Can't say I was wonderfully happy about doing this to a brand new switch, but I wasn't left with much choice.
It would be interesting to hear whether anyone else has had to do this. - Or perhaps my car had the wrong switches fitted some time in the dim distant past? - It could even be the "every one is different being hand made" factor.
Does anyone else have the part numbers for the column switches on their cars?
I have checked the multi-connector to the switch and there is no wiring to the intermittent function terminals, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem to install the wiring to enable me to use an adjustable intermittent wiper kit from Maplins.
I have also managed to source a relay and base for switching the lights (generous electrical engineer - its an RS relay) and will advise on where in the circuit it gets put. (When I get round to doing it, which will be sooner rather than later)
I forgot to say its an August 89 S2
I hope this is helpful to someone
Tom
I think Elfit (Tim) came across the dash fouling thing recently...
is this of any use to anyone...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
K
is this of any use to anyone...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
K
I have seen later ford switches that appear shorter and more modern and wondered if they could be used, problem will be that most modern switches will have switch positions that will remain unused if fitted to the Tiv... but they might look better, or more improtantly be more available than the older ones
K
K
As Kev rightly states I have had this problem too.
My original switch is here:
note the short light stick.
It has the code 83BG11K665BA on it but no sign of any heating or bending.
I replaced it with a switch bought on ebay from a series 1 RS turbo (mk3) Escort.
( Picture copied from ebay ad)
I've fitted it and it works BUT, it's not the same ~ stalks are longer.
To stop it fouling the dash I had to cut off most of the light stalk.
I've also found that although the stalks work; when I turn the wipers off they stop dead where they are rather than returning to the bottom of the screen.
(Am I right in saying that the wipers should return to the bottom? ~ I can't really remember if they did.)
I'm still on the look out for a proper replacement.
I can tell you that mk2 2 granada switches are not a replacement ( good job they're cheap on ebay!)
Cheers
Tim
My original switch is here:
note the short light stick.
It has the code 83BG11K665BA on it but no sign of any heating or bending.
I replaced it with a switch bought on ebay from a series 1 RS turbo (mk3) Escort.
( Picture copied from ebay ad)
I've fitted it and it works BUT, it's not the same ~ stalks are longer.
To stop it fouling the dash I had to cut off most of the light stalk.
I've also found that although the stalks work; when I turn the wipers off they stop dead where they are rather than returning to the bottom of the screen.
(Am I right in saying that the wipers should return to the bottom? ~ I can't really remember if they did.)
I'm still on the look out for a proper replacement.
I can tell you that mk2 2 granada switches are not a replacement ( good job they're cheap on ebay!)
Cheers
Tim
The Mk2 Fiesta one is shorter than a Mk3 Escort plus the stalks are angled away from the dash so it would probably fit. They're closer to the originals as shown by Elfit but still not the same. Part number on the one I have is 84FG11K665BA. Also it doesn't latch in to the intermittent position like the original.
So it's not a Mk3 Escort, nor a Mk2 Fiesta and the Sierra has been ruled out. What else was there in the late 80's?
So it's not a Mk3 Escort, nor a Mk2 Fiesta and the Sierra has been ruled out. What else was there in the late 80's?
This is the switch that came off (note insulating tape, it holds together most of the car):
This is the switch that replaced it:
They were the same apart from the latching intermittent position and the extra terminals in the back associated with it.
Not that this helps particularly in identifying what its originally off! I was lead to believe it was Mk3 Escort but it looks different to the swiches for sale on Ebay for example. - So now I'm not sure, perhaps the style changed slightly over the 5 year production run?
Anyway problem solved for the time being, can't say I'm looking forward to installing relays and intermittent function in the rats nest of wires that is the passenger footwell! I'll let you know how I get on.
Cheers
Tom
This is the switch that replaced it:
They were the same apart from the latching intermittent position and the extra terminals in the back associated with it.
Not that this helps particularly in identifying what its originally off! I was lead to believe it was Mk3 Escort but it looks different to the swiches for sale on Ebay for example. - So now I'm not sure, perhaps the style changed slightly over the 5 year production run?
Anyway problem solved for the time being, can't say I'm looking forward to installing relays and intermittent function in the rats nest of wires that is the passenger footwell! I'll let you know how I get on.
Cheers
Tom
Sorry to bring up an old thread but I have a recurring problem!
The light switch that I replaced in 2008 has now burnt out again.
I think that I have found a replacement but I do want to try to stop the problem occuring again. I believe that this can be achieved by adding a relay to my light circuit.
As well as burning out the switch my lights are really dim ~ yes I know that "they all do that sir" but mine really are dimmer! Once again a relay should sort this out.
Has anyone fitted a relay? If so please can you give me an idiots guide as to what I should buy and where and how to fit it.
The source of the switch, I believe, is the Mk1 Sierra ~ this is from an item on ebay
"engineering part number 83BG11K665CA .The Ford FINIS code for this item is 6096401
83 will mean 1983 onwards fitments,BG denotes SIERRA models, so part number starts with 83BG meaning Mk 1 sierra models [might also have other Ford applications]"
This item was a bit expensive for me I have found another (there are still two up for sale)
My original switch was 83BG11K665BA but the 83BG....CA only seems to differ in the way it has been riveted together.
The escort switch ( 81AG11K665CA) will work but the stalk needs to be bent out so it doesn't foul the dash.
Cheers
Tim
The light switch that I replaced in 2008 has now burnt out again.
I think that I have found a replacement but I do want to try to stop the problem occuring again. I believe that this can be achieved by adding a relay to my light circuit.
As well as burning out the switch my lights are really dim ~ yes I know that "they all do that sir" but mine really are dimmer! Once again a relay should sort this out.
Has anyone fitted a relay? If so please can you give me an idiots guide as to what I should buy and where and how to fit it.
The source of the switch, I believe, is the Mk1 Sierra ~ this is from an item on ebay
"engineering part number 83BG11K665CA .The Ford FINIS code for this item is 6096401
83 will mean 1983 onwards fitments,BG denotes SIERRA models, so part number starts with 83BG meaning Mk 1 sierra models [might also have other Ford applications]"
This item was a bit expensive for me I have found another (there are still two up for sale)
My original switch was 83BG11K665BA but the 83BG....CA only seems to differ in the way it has been riveted together.
The escort switch ( 81AG11K665CA) will work but the stalk needs to be bent out so it doesn't foul the dash.
Cheers
Tim
Thanks Norm
I have not looked closely at the indicator side ~ just the light switch because I have now had two burn out.
In fact the information in the link is inaccurate
The original switch is 83BG11K665BA not 83BG11K6658A
83BG11K665CA will also fit.
The replacement that you show is 81AG11K665CA ~ this is the one that needs to be bent out to avoid the dash.
When looking on ebay etc the thing to look out for in the pictures is the line --- above the slow wipe icon.
See below ~ the original is on top.
Note that icons are only on the face of the stalk, some other cars had icons on the top as well.
If anyone has advice on fitting relays I would appreciate it. I really don't want to burn out a third.
Cheers
Tim
I have not looked closely at the indicator side ~ just the light switch because I have now had two burn out.
In fact the information in the link is inaccurate
The original switch is 83BG11K665BA not 83BG11K6658A
83BG11K665CA will also fit.
The replacement that you show is 81AG11K665CA ~ this is the one that needs to be bent out to avoid the dash.
When looking on ebay etc the thing to look out for in the pictures is the line --- above the slow wipe icon.
See below ~ the original is on top.
Note that icons are only on the face of the stalk, some other cars had icons on the top as well.
If anyone has advice on fitting relays I would appreciate it. I really don't want to burn out a third.
Cheers
Tim
I installed a fused relay made by Ring (bought from Halfrauds I seem to remember) and followed the wiring directions on the packaging. I will see if I can find the details in my super (in)efficient filing system.
Seems to do the job, although if you pull the fuse on it the headlamps still work! (I think this may have something to do with the dim dip module, not entirely sure though).
I also installed an intermittant relay for the wipers. I gave up with the maplins kit as all it seemed to do was short out and blow fuses. I've also got wiring details for that too in the same filing system. Can scan both and send if necessary.
Seems to do the job, although if you pull the fuse on it the headlamps still work! (I think this may have something to do with the dim dip module, not entirely sure though).
I also installed an intermittant relay for the wipers. I gave up with the maplins kit as all it seemed to do was short out and blow fuses. I've also got wiring details for that too in the same filing system. Can scan both and send if necessary.
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