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365 GTC Light switch

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by Colin Angell, Nov 27, 2005.

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  1. Colin Angell

    Colin Angell Karting

    Jun 17, 2004
    117
    #1 Colin Angell, Nov 27, 2005
    The light switch of my 365 GTC is a stalk type with 3 up or down positions for side, dipped and main beam headlights. The on/off is controlled by rotating the plastic tip of the stalk. The up and down movement is fine, with positive detent stops, but the rotation is very sloppy, to the point of dangerous. Flicking the lever from main beam to dipped is just as likely to plunge me into total darkness, very unnerving at high speed!

    One of my winter tasks this year is to sort out a decent repair of the on/off swicth and I wondered if anyone has tackled this before and can offer advice?

    I look forward to your replies

    Colin Angell
     
  2. geffen365gtc/4

    geffen365gtc/4 Karting

    Mar 12, 2005
    191
    #2 geffen365gtc/4, Nov 27, 2005
    Geffen365gtc/4 here-I'm not sure if the light switch in my C4 is the same as yours, but it sounds very similar. I have a problem also.......I have only high beams. One evening this summer ( the night before a car show ) I thought that I would have a look see. The wheel came off easy enough. I was thinking that I could look at each switch, determine which one was bad and replace. I was somewhat correct.....I could look at each switch ( headlight, turn signal, wiper arms ) In fact I could see the very inner working of each switch......as they are totally open. As in open contact sets, springs, detent balls. Every component is very eager to fall apart right in your hand. Not always so eager to go back together. I took it totally apart..........every component down to the bare bones. Cleaned, lubed, and reassembled. Easy...no. Time consuming....yes. Impossible......no. Did it work any better at the end of the night......not really. But I now know a bit more about how my C4 is put together.

    Geff
     
  3. Bryan

    Bryan Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
    1,310
    Montrose, Colorado
    #3 Bryan, Nov 27, 2005
    If the 365 GTC switch is similar to the C4, then your problem may be the interior workings of the switch at the end of the stalk. There is a small ball and detent inside the black plastic switch that controls on/off. Low beam/hi beam/ driving lights are controlled by contacts in the steering colum assembly.

    Here are some photos that I took of mine (C4). Unfortunately, I haven't figured out how to fix it yet!!

    http://home.earthlink.net/~f365gtc4/images/Switch.jpg
    http://home.earthlink.net/~f365gtc4/images/SwitchContacts.jpg
    http://home.earthlink.net/~f365gtc4/images/SwitchInterior1.JPG
    http://home.earthlink.net/~f365gtc4/images/SwitchInterior2.jpg
    http://home.earthlink.net/~f365gtc4/images/Switch%20Detent%201.jpg
     
  4. Colin Angell

    Colin Angell Karting

    Jun 17, 2004
    117
    #4 Colin Angell, Nov 29, 2005
    Hi Bryan

    Thanks for your post. The sitch seems to be identical to mine, so I'm sorry you haven't sorted out how to fix it yet! I haven't even started to seriously look at it, so my first question is how did you get the switch apart? Does the plastic knob separate easily, or is it bonded on?

    Regards

    Colin
     
  5. Tinbender

    Tinbender Formula Junior
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 13, 2004
    327
    Raleigh,Lake Lure,NC
    Full Name:
    Terry W. Phillips
    #5 Tinbender, Nov 29, 2005
    I had a problem with the switch on my 365GT2+2. The end of the black plastic knob that is nearest the steering column pops off and will slide down the metal stalk. This allows you to remove the large end. There are two metal strips (brass?) that make contact. On my car the wire had come loose from one of the strips. A little solder and it was fixed. You might want to clean up the contacts while in there. Good luck.
     
  6. Bryan

    Bryan Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
    1,310
    Montrose, Colorado
    #6 Bryan, Nov 29, 2005
    Terry describes the process correctly. A thin-bladed knife can be used to pry the small ring off the switch. Be very careful...everything is pretty fragile and thin plastic.
     
  7. Colin Angell

    Colin Angell Karting

    Jun 17, 2004
    117
    #7 Colin Angell, Dec 1, 2005
    Thank you gentlemen. I'll set about it shortly.

    Regards

    Colin
     
  8. bill365

    bill365 F1 Rookie

    Nov 3, 2003
    3,319
    Chicago area
    Full Name:
    Bill
    #8 bill365, Dec 1, 2005
    FYI: For those that might be interested, this is the best tool that I have found for cleaning contacts and many other small items, it is a brush constructed of glass fibers that advance out of the handle via mechanical pencil method. Refills are reasonable and they do seem to last. Might be just the ticket for this job! Item # FB-303

    http://www.ofrei.com/page251.html

    Regards,
    Bill
     

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