High beam switch - replace or repair?

[bobdavisnpf]

If I dismantle my high-beam switch to clean its connections, am I likely to succeed at fixing it?

My 89 325i high beam switch became intermittent this summer, and now works less than 5% of the time. Pushing it forward does not switch from lows to highs, and does not turn off fog lamps. Pulling it back still works - but of course it's distracting to drive around with 2 fingers holding the hi-beam switch in this momentary-on position.

This is my daily driver so if I need to shell out $390 to fix it I will, but wanted to see if others have found this part could be reliably rebuilt to put off the inevitable for a few years.

[82eye]

do you have an airbag ? the non-airbag switch is $160. maybe it's the car's way of asking for a better wheel

[jagerking]

More than likely, the intricate cogs, gears, and springs within the switch have started disintegrating, and taking it apart won't be a solution; rather the end of it's currently limited ability to function. This switch is VERY easy to replace with limited mechanical ability; simply remove the steering wheel. remove the lower steering column cover, and remove the 2 screws that hold the switch block to the steering column. Then, unhook the electrical connector for the switch about 10" from the switch block (the flasher simply slides out of a groove on the column), and replace with a new switch, assembling in reverse of removal. Should take between 10 and 20 minutes at the very most. I don't know if that $390 quote includes installation and parts, but you can get a used one for maybe $10-$15 from anyone parting a car in your area. You can use any blinker stalk-switch from any year of E30 WITHOUT an airbag (generally, 1984-mid 1990). If your car has an OBC, you'll need to get one from a car that also has an OBC if you'd like to retain the "remote" function of advancing the OBC one function at a time per-press of the stalk. If you don't care about that feature, any blinker stalk from those years will work fine. This is truly a very easy DIY.

[82eye]

$390 is the cost of the airbag switch. yikes.


not sure but installation on an airbag car might be more involved as well.

[1843lamp]

I just repaired my switch,but I think my issue was different.My switch would not stay on low beam ,every time the car rattled or hit a bump high beam would come on ,I had to hold the switch while driving.I took it out and found that it does not really come apart I think the rivets are meant to be permanent,you might be able to drill the head off of the rivet but I decided not to try.I looked inside the small cutout in the switch body and found you can see the contacts when you move the switch handle ,I bent one of the brass arms just a tiny amount to keep it off of the unwanted contact ,that fixed my switch .I had found several used ones on eBay that were not worn but they were around 90.00 ,my switch is more expensive because it has the obc function as well.

[superj]

keep an eye on ebay. I think you can get them for 25 to 50 if you don't mind taking your time.

[Jeffnhiscars]

Out of half a dozen or so e30s Ive owned only 1 had an airbag but IIRC the depth of the lever relative to the wheel is different. Not 100% sure but figured I'd mention it

[aaverhulst]

This is my daily driver so if I need to shell out $390 to fix it I will, but wanted to see if others have found this part could be reliably rebuilt to put off the inevitable for a few years.

Get a used switch. Salvage yards appear to have many for $50 or less.

http://car-part.com/

Look under headlight switch. Someone said if no airbag you can use one without computer connection if you don't mind losing the advance OBC feature which I didn't even knew existed.

[vpilarry]

I have a non-airbag one - $50.00 shipped

[bobdavisnpf]

pm sent

I have a non-airbag one - $50.00 shipped

[superj]

they are different switches for airbag and non airbag cars. you are right jeff.