naf

iTrader: (7)

Any help on ideas for cleaning the switch contacts on a berlinetta digital dash pod? Only one or two switches are working with any consistency on my right pod. Jumping the contacts at each switch results in positive action-so I know it's the little metal tang/spring not closing.

I tried some electrical contact cleaner with negligible results. Those contacts on the circuit board are really tiny.

Thanks in advance.

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

There's really not much you can do for them........

One thing I never tried and thought about several times over the years is die-electric grease..... ( Spelling ?)

The problem is that over time those little contacts get bent and warped due to usage and simply don't function as they were designed. The "points" at the back of each individual button also wears out and the tolerances inside the pod are Sooooo close that any variation from the original form causes problems.

A qualified electronics tech should be able to re-solder some contacts onto the circuit board is bad................ but there's not much that can be done otherwise. Try the grease and post your results !!!!

naf

iTrader: (7)

Succeeded in restoring full function to the right pod that was giving me trouble. Figured the problem was carbon build up on the small contacts but couldn't get them clean with contact cleaner alone. Too small for the pipe cleaners I thought would work. Used dental floss with a bit of it dipped in a metal cleaner (a liquid polish with some abrasive in it, like chrome cleaner). Worked the cleaner across the contacts under the little metal 'bridges' then flushed it out with contact cleaner. Took a few applications on a couple, especially the 'Off' switches, which probably get used the most. Tested with a continuity tester as I went.

Reinstalled and everything works.

Thanks,

Mike