Switches on the centre console

[Skyedriver]

Hi
Re-veneered the cente console and now reinstating the switches. I've not actually ran the car since buying it and a bit puzzled.

1) the window switches - press down and the window goes up, press up and the window goes down...

2) I think the driving lamps worked before I stripped everything but don't now. When should they come on with regard to headlights etc.? Fuse? Relay?

3) The heater fan only works on second speed. It may have been like this when I bought it, remember being told something but thought he was talking about the wipers. Is the switch the same as the headlight one except the symbol is changed/ I've a headlight switch doing nothing I could try. (The headlights work from a switch on the column but there is a switch on the console doing nothing).

4) there's lots of noise from the mirrors but little action when trying to adjust. Is it a case of TADTS?

thanks for any guidance.

[colin mee]

Hello.tony.i only have a head light switch on a stork.on mine..I will check my driving lights for you tomorrow .may sound simple but do you have the wires the wrong way round one your window switch.colin

[Skyedriver]

Hi Colin
I pulled the switches off the plugs removed from the panel and refitted to the plugs and the plugs only go on one way.
The console has been apart before I think., I'm wondering if it's just the switches have been dismantled and the fronts with the labels put on upside down?

Handbook says lights switch on the console and there was a place for the switch but the lights work off the column switch

The driving lamps don't seem to work, think they did initially but never driven the car so cannot say 100%. Assume they only come on under certain conditions (headlights and main beam?)

[Pumpkin123]

In case this helps, but mine had similar issues when I bought it:

2. My driving lights come on with console switch on, ign on, and lights on full beam. They also come on when you flash headlights.

3. My heater only worked on one speed, turned out there was 2 sprung plungers inside switch which had seized due to grease turning to concrete.

4. Just fixed my mirrors, just had to take the mirrors apart and spray with silicone and hey presto now work a treat. One of those 1hr jobs which took all weekend. To save you a bit of time, on mine there was only one screw holding the mirror in place (underneath), then its just removing silicone. The wires can be simply pulled out of the rear of the mirror (push in crimps).
Hope that helps

[Skyedriver]

Pumpkin123 said:

In case this helps, but mine had similar issues when I bought it:

2. My driving lights come on with console switch on, ign on, and lights on full beam. They also come on when you flash headlights.

3. My heater only worked on one speed, turned out there was 2 sprung plungers inside switch which had seized due to grease turning to concrete.

4. Just fixed my mirrors, just had to take the mirrors apart and spray with silicone and hey presto now work a treat. One of those 1hr jobs which took all weekend. To save you a bit of time, on mine there was only one screw holding the mirror in place (underneath), then its just removing silicone. The wires can be simply pulled out of the rear of the mirror (push in crimps).
Hope that helps

Thanks Pumpkin123, once I get the console sorted I'll turn to the mirrors. Think I'll try the spare headlight switch on the fan. its 3 position so may be the same under the labelling.

[adam quantrill]

The window switches sound to be upside down. You can disassemble the front off the switch and reassemble it the other way up, in case it has "WINDOW" on there that would otherwise be upside down.

Similarly the fan switches often melt inside, there are two rockers inside one for each speed, you can disassemble the switch and inspect for melting or corroded contacts.

[Skyedriver]

adam quantrill said:

The window switches sound to be upside down. You can disassemble the front off the switch and reassemble it the other way up, in case it has "WINDOW" on there that would otherwise be upside down.

Similarly the fan switches often melt inside, there are two rockers inside one for each speed, you can disassemble the switch and inspect for melting or corroded contacts.

Thanks Adam, yes come back in having done exactly that and the windoes go up and down to he switch and the fan is two speed again.

BUT

I still cannot get the driving lamps to work, there's power to the switch and seems to be power to the relay as shorting the switch gets a wee spark. I'm thinking it must be the relay but I see on the wiring diagram that there's a connection to 56/56A the diodes. Where do they come into the equation?

AND

Up until an hour ago the hazard warning lights worked but they've stopped now.

OH

and the screws that hold the glove box lid have decided to divorce the glove box lid. The lid hitting me on the head while investigating the relays. No cover on the relays, think there may have been previous trouble there....

[Penelope Stopit]

Are you able to post the diagram you're using or a link to it?

[adam quantrill]

Quite often, the driving lights need at least side lights on, and sometimes headlamps too, before the relay will switch over. Which version depends on what the factory were thinking at the time (and/or any mods afterwards).

[IamWedgend]

Hey mate. If it's anything like mine, the condensation can cause corrosion on the contact point of the switches. If I were you, I'd pull out the hazard and the lights switch strip them down, and boil the metal bits in lemon water before giving them a bit of a scrub. It's actually very straightforward. Make sure you disconnect the battery before unplugging them, I've blown fuses messing with them.

[Skyedriver]

Well the 2 speed blower didn't last long, was working out the refitting of th econsole panel, tested the switches, the blower fan started, there was a flash from the fuse box and it stopped....Strangely, the supposed heater fuse wasn't blown.

You know that feeling where you wish you'd never started a job.

I'm away to soak my bits in boiling lemon juice - Masterchef eat your heart out....

[Skyedriver]

Heater fan back in action as is the hazards, well sort of.
Front indicators don't work, sidelights do so I guess it can't be an earth problem. Side repeaters work too.
Bulbs are seized in their holders so will soak them for a while. Front bumper has been off so that may be the cause but strange it's both sides. They must have worked for the MoT a couple of month ago.
Wonder if that's the reason the driving lamps are off.....
Too cold out there now,(5degreesC) so will try again tomorrow.

[Grady]

Be very careful with the hazard switch. There is a white plastic piece inside that the handle pivots to make/break the contacts and it is just waiting to die of old age. And as of a year or two ago, replacements where unobtainable.

[Skyedriver]

Grady said:

Be very careful with the hazard switch. There is a white plastic piece inside that the handle pivots to make/break the contacts and it is just waiting to die of old age. And as of a year or two ago, replacements where unobtainable.

Thanks for the tip.
(Don't use the hazards...!)

[Skyedriver]

Latest one, I guess you've all come across it, not switch related though.
Sort out the wiring to front side lights and indicators, everything works every time.
Refit front bumper.
Flip up/down headlights,
Afore mentioned wiring ripped out by headlights....