CK 30 ignition switch problem

[Mastertech]

From a Locksmith's view point: WD40 is a fair solvent, and a good water displacer (ie. the WD desigination), but leaves little lubricity. After using it as a solvent blow it out as mentioned above and replace with a silicone, or teflon type such as Tri-Flo, etc. Unfortunatly the WD will thin the good lube! For years we used graphite in locks. Do not use white grease (lithium), 3 in 1 oil, etc. Better yet use a super solvent such as Brake Cleaner or Carb Cleaner which is evaporitive then lube it.

The lock clyinder in most electrical keyed switches has nothing to do with the electrical routing except to rotate the electrical contacts below them. The lube sprayed in the lock generally gets down into the contacts and removes corrusion etc.

 

[Gittyup]

hey giddyup, no confrontation here, just that you've got a fairly rare respondent here offering you an opinion, 50 years of electrical experience and a fan of fluid film both!

mike

No problem, Mike. I'm not trying to be confrontational either. So, why not fluid film? You said no, but never explained why. Have you tried it in such an application and had bad results? Will it collect too much dirt over time? It does say to use it on electrical contacts. Why not in this case?

Corrosion prevention is the long term answer (short of a better switch). It would seem to me that you'd want a coating that is more likely to stay in place, that recoats after each contact swipe.

I do like the suggestion to use a highly evaporative solvent to remove existing corrosion first. A little confused about the graphite. Is it being suggested to use it here? I know that graphite is a good lubricant for locks, but isn't it also conductive?

 

[GregMVT]

Thanks to everyone that responded. I tried the WD 40 yesterday morning and it worked GREAT. At some point before winter sets in I'll have to order a cover.

Greg

 

[TractorLegend]

My unofficial failure analysis of my failed ignition switch showed that likely the lube used at the factory on the contacts isnt capable of the temperature needed of it and it ends up deep frying the surrounding area

 

[mrutkaus]

I love Fluid Film on battery connections, battery trays, it works better than anything.

There is NO corrosion ever when terminals are coated with FF.

For moving contacts it's just that it doesn't do any cleaning and I'm not sure about burning with sparks.

Mike

 

[Gittyup]

I love Fluid Film on battery connections, battery trays, it works better than anything.

There is NO corrosion ever when terminals are coated with FF.

For moving contacts it's just that it doesn't do any cleaning and I'm not sure about burning with sparks.

Mike

As a precautionary exercise, I put a drop or two of WD-40 in my switch today. Wasn't quite brave enough to try FF on a perfectly good switch. I have never had any problems with it. But if I do, unless someone gives me a good reason not to, I plan to try the FF. I will, though, first double check flammability warnings that might be on the label. If it won't flame or short out, I still think it might be a better preventative solution due to it's coating and staying-power properties, maybe not so much so after the problem exists.

 

[TBDonnelly]

Over the past couple of weeks my tractor started acting up. First the starter would not catch first time around. Second time it would. Then the dash lights would not come on when turning the key. Today it was hard to get started. I remembered reading this thread and the 'clean ground' threads. I took both ends of the positive and negative wires off, the battery ends, the frame end & the starter ends. Wire brushed them all. While I had the wires off I sprayed brake cleaning fluid in the igntion switch, then blew compressed air through the switch, followed that up with some silicone lubricant. All appears to be working well. Nice strong lights on the dashboard and the tractor starts right up.

Many thanks to the TBN braintrust who contributed the answers. I knew exactly what direction to go in and had 'er done in short order.

Don

 

[sodamo]

Why else would we be here hehe

David