355 switch question

I took the switches out of my 355 as soon as I got it to refinish them. I've just put it back together and have an issue with the shock, fog light, and mirror heating switches.

Since I didn't drive the car much before taking it apart, I don't know if these are supposed to be the kind of switches that electronically latch something (and the switch returns to its original position), or if the switch toggle is supposed to stay in the "on" position. These 3 switches on mine will activate the function as long as I hold it in the on position, then switch off when I let go of it.

I get the feeling they are supposed to physically stay in the on position, but mine don't. I took one apart again to see if I could have put it together wrong. I don't see that this one looks any different than the door lock switch that is momentary contact. For those that have taken them apart, what holds the switch in the on position? I can't see how it should work.

Thank you,

Rick

 

Thank you. I can't tell what is supposed to hold it on against the spring pressure of the contact. I'll have to take a better look at them. The ones I have seem to move so little as well.

 

I've replaced some switches and other interior parts that some previous owners messed up. I think the switches must have been replaced at some point with the wrong ones. Funny thing is that the part number is correct. But the part number is on the bottom part of the switch (so the electrical contact part is right); maybe the top part with the toggle was swapped out for a wrong one. I had another look at mine and don't see how it is possible for it to "toggle" to 2 positions, so I'm pretty much convinced they are wrong.

 

I took them apart to clean and refinish them. What I found was that in most cases you don't need the spring loaded ears. They do prevent the switch from flopping around, but mine were tight enough without them. Maybe the paint in refinishing them built up enough to give it enough friction. With or without these ears doesn't effect the switch staying in the "on" position though; I tried it last night by putting one back together with those parts back in. Didn't make any difference, so that is why I think my switches are the wrong ones. The only way to be sure is if someone has a picture of one taken apart to see what allows it to snap on and off.

Rick

 

The ears are in correctly and not damaged. Like I said, there is probably enough paint thickness to give the switch enough drag that the spring loaded ears aren't really adding anything; maybe a little extra friction, but hardly noticeable. If the switch toggle is loose to start with, then the ears do provide the necessary friction. I did need the ears in one of my switches.

Can you not snap the top cover of a momentary contact switch onto an on/off switch? It is strange since I have p/n 165255 on the shock switch, which is the correct part number according to Ricambi, but it is definitely not an on/off switch.

 

I think we are on the same page now. I did repaint the toggles, which put some paint on the part that snaps into the cover and lets it move back and forth, so that tightened up the fit a bit. One switch needed the ears to give it the right feel, one only needed the spring (without the end plastic pieces) and some didn't need anything. They might wear the paint in time and loosen up, but I don't think they will ever get enough use to actually wear out.

I'm pretty sure all of the tops of my switches are the same, so someone screwed things up at some point. The lower parts are correct since when I move them to the "on" position (and hold it there) the associated light on the dash comes on. I'll buy the proper switches.....not a big deal now that I know what is going on.

Thank you for the help.

Rick