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Toggle Switches

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M

MCS

Jedi Warrior
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In the process of installing a new wiring harness in my 1966 sprite Mk 3. What are the opinions on replacing all the toggle switches? I have a box of extra switches they all work ok. . Seems like a waste to throw them out. Has anyone had a fire due to a switch problem?
Thanks Phil
 
Phil, if you have an extra fan switch with silver/chrome bezel in reasonable shape, I need one. let me know, I will gladly pay for it\
 
i have never had a fire inside the switch, but the insides have fried and melted ... especially the headlights. as a stock guy, i think one of the charms of these cars are the toggle switches regardless of their design deficiencies. i wouldn't throw those switches out since they are expensive to replace and over time may become very hard to find. If you replace the switches, you should consider add-on harnesses for the headlights that control the amount of amperage the wiring and switches see. i believe moss offers a headlight harness add-on. from experience, if the switch is mushy as you toggle it, it's probably shot. on the other hand, if the switch has a crisp snap to it when toggled, it's probably fine. IMHO i think the switches for all dash applications other than the headlights are adequate and should last the life of the car as long as there are no significant wiring shorts.
 
And *if* for some reason you need to get new ones, get 'em from Holden in England, not from Tiawan!
 
Holden? Link?
 
That is an outstanding link. New regulators, heaters, sun visors, horns, etc for Bugeyes.

Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite
A high quality glass reinforced plastic Hardtop with a superblack gel coat which does not require painting. The interior is grey flock sprayed. It comes complete with plastic window and all rubber seals and fixing brackets. In design it is a replica of the original works supplied Hardtop

Part number 060.232

Colour: Black
Pack size: each
Price: ÂŁ 363.13 (ex VAT)


Austin Healey Sprite Mk I
A set of reproduction Decals for the underbonnet of this particular car. The Decals are either adhesive or metal like the originals

Part number 091.157

Pack size: each
Price: ÂŁ 12.40 (ex VAT)


New insturment chrome rings and parts

https://www.holden.co.uk/viewProducts.asp...s&group=070
 
I don't think it's very likely that you would get a fire simply from a bad switch. More likely is a short circuit somewhere else, which pulls too much current through the switch, fries it and some associated wiring as well. Unfortunately, these cars are full of places where that can happen; for example head- and taillights in my bugeye are not fused, and there are some long stretches of wiring where damage could occur. So, the moral of the story is to be certain everything is fused--I'm considering adding fusing to the lights in my own car.
 
Thanks for the help, I think I will test what I have this weekend and go with what I have
Phil
 
i would turn the switches on and check resistance with a multimeter. if it shows more than when you just touch the 2 leads together, think about taking the switch apart and cleaning the contacts or toss it. any resistance will create heat which in tunr creates more resistance and more heat.

wont cause a fire, but will let the magic smoke out of the switch and might leave you wo./ headlights!


-Adam
 
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