new style light switch blues...

[mendo069]

hi guys, i recently purchased the new style key pad for the light controls of the deuce.. it's like a keypad, you push the button for the function you want and then press enter to activate.. well, i bought won from palladinice on ebay.. i made sure the batts. were dis-connected, touched metal to make sure i was static free.. connected to an engine ground, and installed the switch.. the only function that activates is the tail light function.. if i push the service light button it flashes so i then press the enter key to activate and then all the keypad lights flash blue and the unit shuts off... did i miss something? anyone that has one, i would sure appreciate the help.. thanks.. mendo...

 

[emmado22]

it's toasted, just like the 1000's of other just like it... Go back to the old style. Not as cool, but 100% reliable.

 

[devilman96]

Yep the old ones are sure fire but they don't have them pretty blue lights...

Its prolly a "pre" bug unit which are known to blow... There is a year of manufacture (2002 and earlier I THINK) that you should avoid... It is repairable / upgradeable if you are comfortable working with circuit boards, usually one or more of the relays cook themselves on activation, all should be replaced.

If your bent on having it fix it... If you want to recover on your loss on it let me know as I am hunting one for my truck and am versed in them their electro errr mechanical errr wizmo gigs and the finer arts of masonry and wire stretching.

 

[emmado22]

Devilman,

I talked to the contractor at length about the "pre bug units".. There are none... There has been no design change. It's a crap design.. Bottom line is the switch has way too much electronics in it to handle the "unrefined" 24V that runs thru it. You can ground it all day long, but sooner or later, it will fry... It's crap.

 

[ida34]

The guy on ebay screwed you. I got screwed the same way. Their are 4 small surface mount relays that usually are the ones that blow. I had mine replaced and have not had any other problems with it at all. I also carry my old switch in the tool box just in case.

 

[bottleworks]

Could someone post a picture of the new style switch? I might start looking for a broken one (for cheap)...

 

[mendo069]

thanks guys !!! i made contact with him and the seller "palladinice" is willing to take it back and refund the money... thanks for the heads up.. they are way cool tho... i wish it worked !!!! tempted to seek an electrician or just stop tempting fait... it was those blue lights that hooked me..

 

[mendo069]

ida34 who did you use to fix your switch ?? just looked in the yellow pages ?? thanks.. like i said, it's the blue lights.....mendo

 

[Recovry4x4]

To see the switch go here http://www.steelsoldiers.com/index.php?module=pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=6&pid=29
Thats the link to the motor pool section and specifically my M275A2. Enlarge the interior pic for what the switch looks like.

 

[mcinfantry]

i have run one on mine since i bought the truck 2 years ago. ran one on 12 volts for two years in the m715..... no problems.

 

[emmado22]

12V no problems. 24V, problems.................

 

[ida34]

ida34 who did you use to fix your switch ?? just looked in the yellow pages ?? thanks.. like i said, it's the blue lights.....mendo

I opened it up and it was obvious what was fried. I took the number and got the relays from an electronics catalog. I can't remember the name but they are the go to people for electronic components. I then had my aunt put them in. They are surface mount so they require professional to do. My aunt had an electronics assembly business and the special tools to do surface mount work. I have already asked and she does not want to start fixing them for everyone. Sorry. She ended up doing it by hand so it can be done without the special tools.

 

[BFR]

is there a special procdeure for installing the switch?

 

[JDToumanian]

Chuck - You're probably thinking of DigiKey... They have everything electronic. Personally I would try to find relays that are of a slightly higher rating but still fit, so they are not frying all the time.

http://www.digikey.com/

Regards,
Jon

 

[ida34]

Digikey is the one I was thinking about. I have not fryed one yet. No trouble and had it in about 10 months now.

 

[Jimmy]

I have had the new style push button switch on my HMMWV for about two years, running 24v and love it. I have had no problems at all and I did buy it on e-bay. I guess I got lucky. I am planning to put one on my deuce and 5 ton.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Here's another pic I acquired from Ebay.

 

[rdixiemiller]

The "Gee whiz" factor of the new switches is cool. However, the old mechanical switches are cool in their own way too. I like the mechanical type, just fits the deuce better to me.