Rebuild or restoration service for 328 console switches? | FerrariChat
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Rebuild or restoration service for 328 console switches?

Discussion in '308/328' started by DMaury, Jun 25, 2007.

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  1. DMaury

    DMaury Formula 3

    Mar 27, 2007
    1,993
    Ponchatoula, LA
    #1 DMaury, Jun 25, 2007
    I was hoping someone knows a company or person that does restoration and rebuilding services for the plastic switches in the center console for the 328. Primarily, I'm after the two larger ones that control the heater and air direction. The ones I have don't quite light up all the way (the red and yellow bar-light indicators) and the plastic surfaces are quite worn and sun-faded.

    I'd just replace them, but the only ones I've seen available are the NOS ones from Ricambi for close to $800 a piece. Not quite ready to pay that kind of price for them yet. ;)
     
  2. Mike328

    Mike328 F1 Rookie

    Oct 19, 2002
    2,655
    Boulder, CO
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    #2 Mike328, Jun 25, 2007
    Those two large switches are indeed very expensive NOS. However, did you know that they can be easily calibrated? This can be needed if the lights don't appear to light up all the way and is not uncommon.

    See my response in this thread:

    Heater controls
    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=155319


    --Mike
     
  3. DMaury

    DMaury Formula 3

    Mar 27, 2007
    1,993
    Ponchatoula, LA
    #3 DMaury, Jun 25, 2007
    That's brilliant! Thanks!

    I'm going to see how nice I can get the controls to polish up with plastic polish, but I see the original finish had a bit of a texture to is, as I did order new some of the other switches and the knobs and back-plates from Ricambi.


    However, is there any chance that the LEDs might be bad, and it's not a calibration problem?

    If so, do you know where I can get this repaired?
     
  4. Mike328

    Mike328 F1 Rookie

    Oct 19, 2002
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    #4 Mike328, Jun 25, 2007

    I believe I have heard of this issue before (bad LEDs), but I do not think it is common. You absolutely must attempt calibration before assuming a bad LED.

    I don't know where you can get repaired - I believe these were pretty proprietary modules. That said, they probably can be repaired by someone very knowledgable - other folks may chime in with this info.


    --Mike
     
  5. Franco63

    Franco63 Guest

    #5 Franco63, Jun 27, 2007
    I've got a similar but different problem ?.... with one of the heater/vent controls on my 328. The white LED's on the left hand unit are all lit up and won't reduce when you push the switch to lower the flow.

    Would recalibration do anything to resolve it or could it be the switch itself thats not making contact inside ?
     
  6. Mike328

    Mike328 F1 Rookie

    Oct 19, 2002
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    #6 Mike328, Jun 27, 2007
    One of the four levers in mine were doing that too, only in the "close" direction. When I removed and cleaned the switches in my console a few months ago, I solved this problem by cleaning those two switches. Partial disassembly was easy and I used an electronics cleaner.

    I think you will be able to fix your problem accordingly.


    --Mike
     
  7. DMaury

    DMaury Formula 3

    Mar 27, 2007
    1,993
    Ponchatoula, LA
    #7 DMaury, Jun 27, 2007
    White LEDs? Mine are red and yellow.
     
  8. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,055
    USA
    #8 f355spider, Jun 27, 2007
    I had a problem with the LEDs and a friend found that there were a couple bad cold solder joints. He repaired them and the switch displayed perfectly.
     
  9. SCOPE

    SCOPE Karting

    Sep 27, 2004
    120
    melbourne australia
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    tony
    #9 SCOPE, Jun 27, 2007
    Mike

    I have problems with the LEDS not lighting up and sounds like I need to do the check recommended.

    Have downloaded your site reference to the jenkins book pages 140 & 141 and the service bulletin is quite clear.

    But tell me about the actual switch panels above the potentiometer screws.

    Do these just come out with a little help from a screw driver prising them up?

    Do not want to do any damage to the actual control panel.

    Thank you

    Tony
     
  10. Mike328

    Mike328 F1 Rookie

    Oct 19, 2002
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    #10 Mike328, Jun 28, 2007

    My memory on this is hazy but I remember getting the tops of very easily. My recollection is that it was not a "hairy" task - I did not feel like I was on the verge of damaging anything.

    Have you pulled the units yet? Inspected them closely? You'll need some very small jeweler's screwdrivers (if I recall).
     
  11. Franco63

    Franco63 Guest

    #11 Franco63, Jun 28, 2007

    Thanks Mike ........ i'll take it apart and try cleaning the contacts.

    Probably is dirt that's causing the problem as I had all these switches lying at the back of my garage for months while the car was undergoing restoration and they all worked ok before that. Can't believe how expensive these things are to replace !

    Appreciate the advice.
     
  12. barefoot

    barefoot Karting

    Apr 27, 2004
    62
    #12 barefoot, Jun 28, 2007
  13. SCOPE

    SCOPE Karting

    Sep 27, 2004
    120
    melbourne australia
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    tony
    #13 SCOPE, Jun 28, 2007
    Mike

    Have not yet removed the top operating "paddles" yet.

    would you please confirm that I do remove these paddles that operate the various LED's and that I will then find the plates referred to in the "jenkins" book service bulletin.

    I have the necessary small screwdrivers.

    thanks Tony
     
  14. DMaury

    DMaury Formula 3

    Mar 27, 2007
    1,993
    Ponchatoula, LA
    #14 DMaury, Jun 28, 2007
  15. Mike328

    Mike328 F1 Rookie

    Oct 19, 2002
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    #15 Mike328, Jun 28, 2007

    To calibrate, there are special round holes and screws in the actual unit - on the side or on the bottom. No disassembly is required to calibrate the units. However, they do have to be removed from the 328 center console itself, of course.

    I forget whether or not the actual paddles got removed. It is not a very intricate device - I do not think you need to be worried if you proceed slowly. I am not a mechanic, but I was careful and methodical and had absolutely no problems with removal, cleaning, and putting them back together. (I did lose one for a few hours. Guess where it was? On my workbench, of course.)

    If I recall, the whole top plastic trim piece - including the frame and the paddes/levers - comes off in one piece, exposing the LEDs and switch mechanism.
     

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