I have found four old toggle switches I want to use in my Cobra dashboard (this type is legal in South Africa) but have some questions about how they function. Any help would be appreciated. I think the switches are from an old Jag.


Switch Top

This photo 1 shows the top view with two terminals that seem to be joined by a slab of graphite like material – what is the slab’s function?


Switch Slab

Photo two shows the slab removed – what will happen if I remove it?


Switch Rear

Photo three shows the rear of the switch with two male terminals and one female. I guess the female is the live feed in – am I correct?

The graphite will be joint that two spades together. Taking it out will isolate them. It will have been put there for whatever function the switch was originally.

You can easily check the function of the switch with a multimeter.

It looks likeba Lucas switch and there are a few types so Google Lucas toggle wiring diagram and see if there's one the same.

Looks like lucas switch. Dont take it apart unless you need to clean contacts as there a tiny springs inside.

Is it 2 or 3 way?

Never seen the "graphite " slabs before, looks to me like padding as the "terminals" they are under appear more like clips, could be screening for electrical interference? Dunno.

As said, a multimeter across terminals to map out the contact arrangement.

Yes they are Lucas - did run an Ohm meter across them with very strange results - it seems that no matter where the toggle is there are always some circuits live - a google isn't very helpful either. The two types I have are type 31969E which appears to be a dash board lighting switch which sometimes has resistors instead of the slab for dimming, and Type 34425E which is a 6 terminal switch apparently a fuel source change over switch although most seem to be 8 terminal.

If anybody has more info it will be welcome.

I've not seen switches with resistors on them, but the 'slab' could very easily be just that. I would expect it to be in the 1-3 ohm range for the panel lights, so most multimeter's would just indicate continuity.
see also
http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct.asp?sg=1&pgCode=020&sgName=Electrical&pgName=Switches&agCode=0501&agName=Toggle+Switches+-+ Lucas+Lever&pCode=020.157#prettyPhoto
edit linky

edit2:
this link may help too
http://fairislepress.com/WP/?p=3671

[Edited on 14/9/16 by gremlin1234]

Hmmm doesnt sound much like a switch if contacts are live???!!
Do you trust the dvm readings? You could always use a battety and light bulb to check it out.

Take a look at series land rover toggle switches, look similar to the ones if you are unsure about these.

while looking I found this
http://www.trtriumph.com/images/Lucas%20switches%20and%20wipers%20parts%20list.pdf

Looking at a Mk10 Jag wiring diagram shows a DPDT (double pole, double throw) switch, so try this: