early 4 +3 overdrive switch

[Ken]

Ray's the man!

I don't have it back yet, but he sent these pictures and explained how the switch worked, as well as what he did to repair mine.

"For each position of the switch there is 4 inch ling pins that go from the white piece up into the switch, for a total of 16 pins. These pins are soldered into a circuit board in the white piece where the wires come in. What I found was that several of the pins were loose, I resoldered them and hopefully it will work for you. I am not going to glue the bottom piece in. Figure you might want to take a look for yourself for FYI and the forum. When ready just back the white piece out a bit and drop a dab of crazy glue on either side and hold it together. Now you may want to test it prior to the glue stage as if it does not work complete I may want another stab at it. I may have to find one I can dissassemble completelywhich will destroy the switch. It is on it's way back..."

"Here you can see the wires I was talking about, and see where I used my hand made for a surgeon to resolder."

Thanks again Ray.

_ken

This thread hasn't been completely hijacked has it? :L

 

[1985vette]

I don't fell like the thread has been hijacked, I find all of the information about the switches relevant. I am hoping that someone finds the early 4 + 3 overdrive rocker switch at Carlisle. I will be in touch about my luck. I currently have a cheap on/off switch wired in and everything works. It doesn't look great, but at least I know the 4 + 3 functions properly.

 

[Eagle85C4]

One more time I will suggest you send me the switch to see if I can restore it for you. All it costs is the a bit of your time and postage.... and I am 15 minutes south of Toledo....

 

[1985vette]

Eagle,

I have a good friend that is an electrician taking a look at the switch. He thinks that he can fix it. If by chance he can't fix the OD switch, I would be happy to send it off to you. He did say that it will most likely not work as smoothly as it did before it broke. Norwood

 

[rrubel]

I checked around at Carlisle for the OD switch. I found two at one dealer, who wanted $47 each for them, untested (meaning they COULD still be bad). I took a pass, but got their contact info and would be happy to give it to you if you still want it. Another place I checked with said they'd charge $100 for one if they had it, so they're definitely hard to come by.

Ken, I do have your mirror joystick. Shoot me your address and I'll send it out. Hopefully it works; they said it did but I had no way to test it.
[RICHR]

 

[Ken]

Cool Rich, but I hope you didn't spend too much. Len called me when he found one (new in-the-box) but they wanted $75; I told him to pass. I'm not that desperate yet, after all Ray may have mine fixed for me (it's on its way back to me now).

No matter, whatever you paid, I'll reimburse ya! Just let me know how much.

Thanks for lookin' out for me Rich!

_ken

 

[1985vette]

Thanks for taking the time to look. If you would post the contact info, I will follow up on the vendor. That switch is pretty much impossible to come by.

 

[rrubel]

Ken, it was $15. Consider it a trade for the sun visors (which were going for a LOT more than $15 for decent ones).

Len, I found it hard enough to meet someone I was TRYING to find (Mad-mic) .

Was disappointed in the few vendors with C4 stuff - plenty of C3 and earlier, and even a few with C5 stuff exclusively, but maybe less than 10 with a decent amount (ie, more than just a few parts) of C4 junk. I actually wound up cannibalizing a parts-car for the part I needed for myself (the courtesy light control module). One place still had one sitting in a wiring harness, but he knew it was discontinued and wanted WAAAY too much for it. Finally found one still under the dash of a junked 85 (no, no OD switch...) and got it for $5.

85Vette, try these guys: Taber Corvette Parts, www.tabercorvetteparts.com, 877-FIX-A-VET. They're the place who definitely had it but wanted too much. Also try Carter's Corvettes, 270-781-5497. He thought he had some back at the shop, and his prices for other parts were more reasonable.

[RICHR]

 

[Ken]

I was TRYING to find (Mad-mic)

Ya gotta look down - he's short!

Sorry Mic, couldn't help myself after I went through the same thing with you last year at Maple Grove. :L

_ken

 

[rrubel]

Not only that, but his (very tolerant) girlfriend is ALSO short so you can't look for her either!

Thank god for cell phones, though...

[RICHR]

 

[1985vette]

I found an NOS overdrive switch! The best part is that I paid $15.00 for it from Indak, the company that originally manufactured the switch. They said it was the last one left in stock. If you are looking for other hard to find C4 switches stamped with Indak on the side, I would check with them before you go through the high priced vendors. All you need is a GM part #. I was quoted as much as $100.00 for a descent used switch from some of the larger salvage yards. The company that will sell small quantities of Indak switches (Indak will not sell directly to the public) and was very helpful is called Koch Sales Company in Muenster Texas. Their phone # (940) 759-2297. I thought someone else might benefit from this information.

 

[rrubel]

That's excellent information! Should go in the CAC knowledgebase.
[RICHR]