need help with light switch

[poppop]

I took my light switch apart today to try and figure out why no power comes out. Of course when it came apart the contact points fell out. Theres two contacts with three dimples and three contacts with two dimples. Can someone tell me where each goes. The tech article by liljohn won't open and I can't find anything with the search.

 

[cranetruck]

These are some old pictures and notes:
http://imageevent.com/cranetruck/miscm35devices

I still have the old switch and can take it apart if need be.

The last image shows the built-in 20 amp circuit breaker.

 

[poppop]

Thanks Bjorn!!! This shows me what I need to know. Mine is probably older and is made up a little different but the contact positions should be the same. The contact points in mine are seperate with a small spring behind them for tension. All this fell out when I took it apart before I could see the location of each. None of my lights work, but I have power going in the switch. With the switch removed I jumpered each connection and all lights function so it has to be the switch. All contacts were very black so i polished them bright and will lubicate with di-electric grease. If the lights still don't work I guess the build-in circuit breaker is the next thing to check.

 

[cranetruck]

It's probably the contacts, the silver plating becomes tarnished with age. This is an oldlie, from 1953 I think.

 

[poppop]

This is on a 1956 M543. Only the main contacts appear to be silver plated. The outermost ones are copper unless all the plating is gone.

 

[poppop]

Well. I have headlights and taillights now. One headlight must have a bad ground as it is only half as bright as the other one. No park lights, panal lights or turn signals. Are the front amber lights supposed to be on when the switch is in park?

 

[cranetruck]

Yes, the amber lights are on in "park", but not when the headlights are on.

Glad you got the switch put back together, it can be a toughy, spring loaded parts etc.

 

[cranetruck]

Using the dim/park lever, switching from dim to park and back is a convenient way to flash the headlights while driving...no need to use the lock lever.