VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 electro lock key switch

Is the electro lock key switch repairable? My key switch sometimes does not make contact internally all the times. The tumbler comes out ok. but I need to know if there is a repair kit or a set of contacts that can be replaced. I tried to spray contact cleaner in it and that helps, I think, for a while. then it starts all over again by not making contact.
Any suggestions or help would be apprecated as I hate to have to replace the entire electro lock cable set up. Thanks!

The elecrolock is repairable and the contact plate can be replaced if you have the spare part. However, you can probably repair the existing contact plate.

Sent you an email that may help. To my knowledge no one makes replacement contacts so be careful.

Was that the email I sent you? If so I won't bother to send it to him.

Thanks Coach and Tiny,
The pics sure help me on what it looks like internally. I'll give it a try and see if it can be repaired. And... If I mess up... I'll have to find a replacement. But you never know I might be successful. Thanks again!

Please send that to me, also. I need to replace the wire in mine and might as well clean up the contacts while I'm in there.

And I need to get the correct key number. The one I have works in the ignition but doesn't with the door and trunk. The ignition switch is so worn that most any key will work in it. Can a key smith fix that, or does it require replacement?

In the last picture where I'm holding the two pieces in my hand, the piece on the right has contacts that can be bent slightly to make for better contact. Don't bend them much or you'll increase the wear rate. Also the piece on the left had wear dimples in the contacts. I simply put a dab of solder in the low spots then abraded them smooth. Easy peasey.

Check your inbox.

Thanks! Got it and appreciate the help.

Well, I got the switch apart and found that the contacts was coated with slimy grease. so I used contact cleaner on it to wash out the grease, dirt or whatever it was. The contacts showed a little grove on them but otherwise they were in good looking condition.
BIG QUESTION: Should I use some continuity grease on the contacts or let them just be dry?

I would use a dry lubricant like graphite, silicone spray or similar. A wet lubricant will attract and hold dirt.

Thanks Tiny, I will be putting it all back together tonight. Keep my fingers, toes, and eyes crossed that all goes well. I will let everybody know tommorrow.

Dont cross your eyes or it wont go back together.
Tony

Success! At this time the switch works OK. had a little trouble with the bending of the tabs back into position but got it done.
I guess I first caused the problem when I sprayed contact cleaner into the switch, making a gunky mess. I hope that this was a one time thing as I don't think the bending of the tabs would be a good thing next time. Thanks Coach and Tiny for the pictures. It really helped.

Glad you got it figured out.

How do you remove the key and tumbler from the assembly? There is a small hole on the face of the key slot that I assume is a release mechanism, but I can't figure it out. Looks like the key needs to turn further clockwise for the tumbler to come out of the electrolock assembly. I am working on 1937 models.

To remove the cylinder insert key and stick thr end of a paper clip into the little hole and depress a spring loaded pin that is inside while turning the ket farther counter clockwise and pull.Due to old age, etc. you may have to soak thet umblers with WD40 first.

The '37 may be the same as my '38. If it is you turn the switch to the "on" position then insert the end of a paperclip. You'll feel a spring resistance if you're in the right spot. You then turn the tumbler clockwise about 1/8th turn and it'll come straight out. The '38 (and maybe '37) must be different from the other in that you turn it clockwise to release.