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Steering column switch: replacement and selection

When and why it is necessary to replace steering column switch

Service life of the windshield wipers switch is not specified. Replacement is required in case of breakdown of terminals which are responsible for different modes of windshield wiper operation, breakdown of the connector for switch plugging and at its handle breakage, plastic body cracking, breakdown of the washer turn on button, located on the handle front side. Moreover, loosening of contacts is possible.

Unit elements can get oxidized because of moisture ingress on them, get damaged because of short circuit, exceeding the permissible electric current or because of mechanical damage. The component can also get out of order in course of time as a result of plastics drying.

You can suspect defects if none of washer modes activates at impact on the switch or only some of them are active, and also in case when wiper blades stop in a random position. In case of defects you should replace the whole steering column switch as an assembly.

How to choose steering column switch

Windshield washer switches differ by quantity of working modes. Common modes are switching of wiper blades speed and one-time wash function. There are variations of switch with function of intermittent work. Its functionality also depends on presence of headlight wipers, those of the rear windshield, cruise-control, on-board computer. As a rule, the more functions the switch presupposes, the higher its price is.

Practice shows that only components of famous proven manufacturers serve long and correctly. Nowadays these manufacturers are Valeo, Vemo, Meyle, Metzger, Magneti Marelli and others.

Buying the switch you should pay attention to what cars it is made for: with right-hand or left-hand steering. Also, you should take into account presence of the on-board computer, cruise-control and other systems which are important for correct work of the component.