Left Control assembly for 1st Gen Magna

[Marc Albea]

I tore apart my left control assembly yesterday to try to resolve some turn signal/running light issues.  Noticed that there has been some dielectric grease used inside it that really looks groady (sp?).  Probably the original stuff.  

My question is, has anyone ever cleaned out the inside of that assembly, contacts etc.  I took mine off and pulled out the handlebar brace plate inside it but haven't gone any further than that yet.  I'm thinking de-natured alcohol (Greg's favorite) and then another helping of fresh di-electirc grease to help lubricate the moving parts.

Any comments, advice would be helpful.  I DO have a spare left control set I figured I would practice on.  I'd like to get the contacts all cleaned up and maybe even have the push portion of the switch work again so that when I turn all I have to do is push the button instead of moving the switch in the opposite direction.

I'm hoping this will also resolve my problems with the running lights intermittently making good contact.

[Greg Cothern]

Marc I certainly dont think you could hurt anything by cleaning it with DE-NATURED alcohol, Hehehe, just make sure it is disconnected from power source.
After you get it all cleaned up and just before you put the new grease on use a pencil with an eraser and if there are any copper contacts that are dull the eraser will bring luster back into them.  Just be very careful and do this with a very gentle touch.

[silveradocowboy]

Marc,

I had the same problem with the running lights intermittently working with "Magnolia" recently. I disassembled the turn signal switch assembly and cleaned all the parts. That helped some but I got the best results with the switch housing mounted and I sprayed electrical contact cleaner into the switch and worked it back and forth numerous times. I also thought that if the contacts were worn down they could be drilled out and replaced with brass rivets but it is just a thought since I haven't needed to go that far yet.