Having had similar fun and games with the switches in my '69 GT6+ (DPO had
it sitting outside in Oklahoma for 6 years, and god only knows for how many
in California), I can tell you that with a little TLC the switches can be
***carefully*** dismantled, cleaned and reassembled, and will most likely
work, providing you with years of that world famous LUCAS reliability. I
dismantled mine using a jeweler's screwdriver to gently pry them apart, and
then a combination of a pencil eraser (pink, as found on wooden pencils) and
400 grit paper to clean the contacts. This worked fine on the hazard
switch, the master light switch, the high/low beam switch (on the steering
column) and the rear window defrost switch (those are all the ones that were
non-functional) be sure to use a lube designed for electrical circuits
afterward as this not only lubes the contacts, it will hold off the
corrosion for a while, also make sure the blade connectors fit snugly,
lightly recrimp as required
Good luck
Dave Korzun
'69 GT6+
-----Original Message-----
From: Malcolm Walker <walker05@camosun.bc.ca>
To: The Usual Suspects <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Date: Friday, September 18, 1998 5:41 PM
Subject: Lucas at his best!
>
>Well, I rigged up a horn relay (genuine Lucas) and a horn (genuine Flamm),
>and after a lot of footling about with the brush and the grounds and the
>wires (Had to alter the wiring a LOT to get the + to go the right way and
>the - to be grounded), but I now get a good loud "toot" when I push the
>horn button. Much better.
>
>What with the Spanish (or Italian, can't remember) horn, the american
>alternator and hi-beam switch, I'm getting a real melting-pot car :-)
>
>However, Lucas still has his thumb in the works. The lights won't go on.
>I have traced the fault to the switch- I can get lights if I push it in
>real slowly and hold it halfway between the 1st and 2nd stops. Only when
>pushing it in.
>
>I have a feeling one of the gizzies that make the switch go "click" has
>busted and is fouling up the works. Can I rebuild my headlight switch?
>Or service it at all? Should I try to get a 'murikan one from the scrap
>yard (temporary... ha!) to get lights so I can drive it next week? I
>don't want to shell out the $ for a proper "lucas" switch, especially if
>they're prone to failure (are they?)
>
>TIA,
>-Malcolm
>* There is a FAQ for this list! Its temporary home is:
>http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/walker/triumph/trfaq.htm
>
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