How do I open the switch casings?

The low beam headlight is not on, and so I press down on the low-side of the dimmer switch. By doing so I get the low beam to flash on and off but stay mostly off. The high beam works fine. My theory is that the contact on the low-beam side of the dimmer switch needs to be cleaned.

How do I open the dimmer switch casing? It is not obvious to me. How difficult of a job is it? While I am asking, how would I open the starter switch in case that ever needs cleaning?

I see different opinions on how to clean contacts and what solvents to use. Any advice here is appreciated. When clean, should I fill empty space with a dielectric like vaseline to prevent moisture and even oxygen from getting in?

Also, what is a good, detailed service manual for a 1999 VFR800?

 

Best bet is to get a good contact cleaner, and spray it into the housing. Then rock the switch up and down, or side-to-side. 0L cleaner is what I use, those housings are easy to take apart, you need a stubby phillips and two screws later your there. Just don't mix up the screws, one is longer than the other. eace:

 

They are simple to work on. In addition to rider, I recommend you use dielectric grease as you have in mind, a little bit of dielectric grease goes a long way.

 

I'd do it correctly and open the housing, rather than just spraying contact cleaner in there. Also, the switch contacts probably needs both cleaning and lubrication. Dielectric grease (sparingly applied) is the correct lubricant to use.

 

Okay so this is easy enough for a monkey to do it. Since I am not great mechanically I normally hire a monkey for beer, but I do wish to learn something with regards to my bike and to become more hands on, so I had to try this job.

Previously I had no low beam headlights. No other problems. Yesterday I was riding, in 90°, high humidity, with all the gear on. Happy as a clam though. As I came near to my friend's house, my left turn signal did not work! I had several lefts to make. The first one I put her in neutral, then hand signalled. Then I thought, no way this is too dangerous, I will make right turns to get home. I do not want to mis-direct any cagers and certainly no problems with the rollers. How's my new bike vernacular?

I should have tackled this project yesterday morning, but lazy Sunday morning, what better time? I got Deoxit at Radio Shack. I opened the case up. Pulling the fast idle to the maximum position helped to open up the casing the furthest. I followed the cleaning instructions for the dimmer switch, the turn signal switch, and the horn. I put it together, turned the key to on, and POW, low headlights for the first time. The blinkers were working this morning so there was no further test.

So clearly there was 14 years or so of corrosion that exhibited bad behavior under the worst heat. Hopefully this fix resolves these issues.

Thanks folks!

 

Glad it work for you Knight :thumb: