Anyone ever taken these two switches apart to clean them up decent? My left turn signal doesn't work unless I hold it in the right spot, and the cruise switches only work when it is warm out. Or after the car has warmed up (have a heater vent blowing right on the back of the steering wheel) Car is an 01 Outback limited with 232k really looking to avoid replacement as this is just a beater car.. Thanks for any help!
If my other car wasn't loaned out right now I would just have at it and see what I could figure out on my own.. with the warmer weather the last couple days the cruise has been working perfect again.
Not sure how the cruise works on that. But if it's a mechanical cruise mechanism of some sort under the hood, I would think it to be something outside as opposed to something in the controls inside the car. Since it seems to work better in warmer weather. But i honestly know nothing about how the cruise functions on your particular car.
Thing is is if I wiggle the switch enough I can normally get it to work. Or like I said if I aim the heater vent on the switch. Seems like it needs a good cleaning. The car does have almost 235k miles so its about time things start wearing out.
Haha thanks. I will just have to dig in I think.. see what I can figure out. I have this whole weekend off once so maybe I will tackle it then.
Well I dug in today. The turn signal switch is just too worn down and will need to be replaced, luckily it works well enough I can just live with it for now. The cruise switch seems to be working better after a good cleaning, but time will tell. It was actually very simple to get to and take apart on my outback. Disconnect battery, wait 20 seconds. Next there are 2 t30 torx screws that hold the airbag in the steering wheel, one on each side. After that has been loosened unplug it (push down on yellow clip, slide green security lock out of the way and separate plugs) always set it down with the cushion facing UPWARD in case of accidental deployment. Next you will see the horn switch (silver metal bar going up and down with springs under it) remove this again with two t30 screws. This should also remove the cruise switch and its bracket. Unplug the connector. Install is reverse. As for cleaning it you must dissasemble it. First remove it from its mounting bracket with two number 2 Phillips screws Next open the case by removing two number 1 Philips screws and by releasing the two small plastic tabs. Once inside just lift the lever and switch out and inspect for dirt/damage/wear. Clean and assemble just as you took it apart. This one was mine, I cleaned it with cotton swabs and everyday rubbing alcohol, remember if you removed all of the grease to reaply fresh dielectric grease. Hopefully this helps someone, it was cold out so I really didn't take pictures like I would have liked.
