(ET) power disconnect switch

["Hazen, Dwight L" <hazen indiana edu>]

 Not to spoil anyone's replacement disconnect business, I have had good 
luck repairing the disconnect switch. Water and then corrosion cause the 
spring loaded copper disk to hang on the shaft causing intermittent 
operation.

 You need to disassemble the switch (take a picture of it before you 
start) and clean all the parts, make sure you get the springs right when 
you reassemble (look at your picture). Lightly sand the disk, contacts and 
shaft if needed "less sanding is better than more" turn the disk over and 
use the other side if sanding will not work. A small amount of grease on 
the shaft will help the disk to move, careful not to get any grease on the 
disk or contacts. There is a little pin that rides on the cam that makes 
the detents. If that pin is bent the switch will not work correctly, 
straighten or replace.

 There is a right way and wrong way to put it back in the tractor, make 
sure when you are done the off position is down from the operator's 
position with the handle toward you. In an emergency you what to just slap 
the handle down to cut the power. Never force the handle that is how the 
pin gets bent.

 The switch is not a bad design and it seems to be made to take apart and 
fix. Most devices today can not be repaired just replaced.

 Try it you have nothing to lose.


   Dwight


Dwight L. Hazen

Indiana University, UITS, Networks

Bloomington, In. 47408-7378

812-855-5367

Ham Radio wb9tlh arrl net http://wb9tlh.ampr.us