Re: 2000 Forester headlight switch

The headlight switch on my 2000 Forester (on the end of the turn signal

>stalk) is getting progressively more flakey - when I use the turn >signals or wiggle the switch the headlights flicker off and on. The >problem seems localized to the switch/knob portion (i.e. not down in >the steering column or wiring). >Can someone provide some hints on how to take apart or remove the >switch assembly so I can either fix the loose connection or replace the >switch? >Thanks! >Mike Blackwell

Just a followup to this older thread for those searching for this problem in the future (like I was).

A couple of posters opined that the light switch module is a sealed unit and not fixable -- this is not true.

You can easily pry off the cap piece on the very very end of the unit. This reveals some of the innards of the headlight switch part of the wand. Inside there you will see a central white plastic piece holding onto a black plastic shaft by two tabs. Pop the tabs out and you can remove the whole "twistable" part of the wand.

This will reveal that the mechanism is just a copper prongs/copper tracks arrangement. I cleaned off the tons of grease on the tracks (why would this thing need so much lubrication?) and bent the prongs down a little bit for good measure, put it back together and now it works good as new.

Save yourself $80-$160... :)

-- KEENE

Reply to
krs7
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Thats called dielectric grease. Its lubricating but also heat distributing. It also helps prevent corossion and the contacts from wearing out from useage. You should find some and put it on there. probably radio shack.

Reply to
dnoyeB

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