1997 Volvo 855 GLT Ignition Switch Contact Cleaning 9447804

[jreed]

A quick how-to on disassembling and cleaning your ignition switch...hopefully to clear up any intermittent contact problems without having to resort to buying a new switch.
There is a great write up on the site showing how to remove and replace the ignition switch. It was posted a few years ago by NYC-Volvo:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=37398
I benefited greatly from this write up... Thanks.
All I'm adding here is a sequence of photos showing how I opened up the switch to reveal the dirty contacts, and how I cleaned them up with an electrical contact cleaner (CRC 2-26). This might help extend the useful life of the ignition switch and help save some money over buying a new switch.

1. Mark the case so you can align it correctly later during reassembly:

1 Clocking marks.jpg (176.09 KiB) Viewed 2412 times

2.There is a tab on the side that must fit into the slot on the metal case:

2 Orientation tab on side.jpg (184.33 KiB) Viewed 2412 times

3. Pry out all four metal tabs using a narrow flat blade screwdriver:

3 Pry out metal tabs.jpg (178.43 KiB) Viewed 2412 times

4. Lift off metal case to reveal inside of switch:

4 Inside of switch.jpg (180.74 KiB) Viewed 2412 times

5. Check the detents for the ball in the lid of the case. You may need to clean up and add grease:

5 Recesses for ball.jpg (234.28 KiB) Viewed 2412 times

6. Spray contact cleaner on the contacts. This picture shows the dirtiest contact, with the CRC 2-26 cleaner still on it:

5 Contact close up.jpg (165.49 KiB) Viewed 2412 times

7. Wipe the contact with a lint free cloth to remove build up and excess cleaning fluid:

6 Cleaned contact surface.jpg (149.75 KiB) Viewed 2412 times

8. Reassemble the case and while holding it together with one hand, test that the switch turns smoothly with a flat blade screwdriver:

7 Reassembled - Testing turning.jpg (146.1 KiB) Viewed 2412 times

9. Use a hammer and punch or nail set to bend metal back down into place to hold the case:

8 Staking metal back in place.jpg (186.51 KiB) Viewed 2412 times

Good luck!

[skloon]

cool both my cars started acting up with the hot weather I shall try this