[tallrandyb]

I have removed my instrument cluster, removed the two "cheat" switches that had previously been installed under the dash to make the fan and the AC clutch work, and I am now refurbing the AC controls to work as Delorean and Pontiac intended.

Here are 3 pix of my A/C clutch switch from my cluster. It appears that the "top center" bar is bent down and it is breaking/making contact all the time.

1) Is something missing/broken here?

2) Ideally, it appears I may be able to just bend the center metal bar back to more "parallel" and then the switch should be able to work correctly? If I do that, I'll disassemble, clean up the rust, coat the metal and re-assemble. So then when the fan control rotates around and contacts this switch, it should 1) make a circuit, or 2) break a circuit?

3) Does anybody have a replacement switch?

Thanks for any help with what you all know/see!

[tallrandyb]

OK I couldn't wait and I disassembled it, cleaned it up, realized the two "flat fingers" were bent to where the mechanism couldn't move. Fixed those, scrubbed down all the contact surfaces, and re-assembled.

I am now in love with this mechanism; it blows my mind that they would come up with this "double-linked-flat spring" setup just to make the contact switch from one bar to the other when enough pressure/movement is applied. I guess for the AC compressor they wanted to make sure it was a full/solid contact when it engages, because this thing CLICKS into place.

So anyway, I'm happy to see that both my compressor switch and the master switch now operate properly after cleanup of both, and I've bought a replacement fan switch. Now on to verifying all the wiring will be signaling everything correctly to the master relay, the high speed relay, and through the resistors in the fan housing (all these are wired factory correctly as far as I can tell).

Onward!

[tallrandyb]

Here it is fully disassembled. Wild!

[hgerhardt]

Nice job rebuilding that switch!

[tallrandyb]

Originally Posted by hgerhardt

Nice job rebuilding that switch!

Thanks, fun mechanical work. Now back to wire/connector probing 😕

[tallrandyb]

Originally Posted by hgerhardt

Nice job rebuilding that switch!

Well, it turns out I’m not done. There is a piece missing off the “tip” that contacts the cam when rotating to the two AC positions (inside/outside). I should have known because the metal tip has two small barbs on it, like to hold onto something that is slipped over the end of it and actually makes contact with the cam wheel (this metal piece is too short).

Does anybody have a picture of what that “tip” piece looks like or know what material so I can fab one? I’m sure there are none available anywhere.

Thanks!

Pix of the switch pre-disassembly:

[Jeff Hamlin]

This is a '66-'67 Master SW but the "Tip" may be the same.
It is basically a small plastic cap/insulator slipped onto the tab.

[tallrandyb]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hamlin

This is a '66-'67 Master SW but the "Tip" may be the same.
It is basically a small plastic cap/insulator slipped onto the tab.

OK perfect, that is about what I had envisioned, now I just need to go to my local auto parts store (Home Depot) and see what I can fab up.

Thanks!

[tallrandyb]

So shopped over Home Depot, picked up two candidate objects, neither worked. Rummaged through my stuff again and found a hard plastic hose end tip to stick into hoses, I've used it as a blockoff for years. Cut it down to the right length and now the switch activates on Outside/Inside and turns off when switched back to Vent. On to the next!