I recently purchased a 1973 E Type 2+2. I need to replace two of the Rocker Switches. How do I remove them from the panel without causing any Damage? Any help would be appreciated.

Brian

 

Hi case42so,
Welcome to the E-Type community.
If I am not mistake the series 3 E-Type center dash is virtually the same as the earlier models and replacing the rocker switches should be fairly simple.
Unscrew the two thumb screws, one each at the upper left and right corners of the center dash panel, and pull it open all the way.
Make sure to take some photos from different angles of the wire connections for the two rockers you will be replacing.
Remove the wires from the switches. The rockers are held in place by plastic tabs on the switch. Squeeze the tabs or push them in with a screw driver and you should be able to push out the switch from the inside.
When installing the new switch, pay attention to the orientation of the switch so you don't install it upside dow. Just push the switch in and the tabs will pop in place. Reconnect the wires and test the switch to make sure they function properly. Fold up the center dash panel and reinstall the thumb screws.
If you plan on doing some of your own maintenance I strongly recommend that you purchase a shop manual for your car.
Good luck with your new E-Type and enjoy the ride. When you can post a photo of your jag.
Be well,
Bill.

 

Bill,
Thank you for your response. Your instructions are in line with what I was seeing. I guess it takes an little more force them I was applying to push them out. I have been working on vehicles for a long time, new to Jaguars though. I have the panel open and already noted the switch configuration had changed on some switches and had drawn pictures of the wiring and their colors. Manuals have been ordered. Thanks again.

Brian

 

You are very welcome, Brian.
I hear you. Sometimes removing a part takes more force than you think it should and so one is reluctant to force it. One thing about these switches is that they go in with much less effort than it took to get them out.
Good luck.
Bill.

 

As others said, just depress the tabs on both sides with a narrow screwdriver. That said, my experience is that the tabs are brittle and break.
I have tried rebuilding switches with little sucess.
Bill

 

Thanks Bill. I used better a light and wore my computer glasses so I could see and replaced the the headlight switch. I still have to replace the Panel light switch. I have to sort out the wire placement on it as the contact arrangement is different.

 

I have had issues with the Rocker switches on my S2. Replacements are available from SNGBarratt, but I was able to disassemble and repair one switch and the other simply needed to have the flat contacts filed to clean them up for better contact. In some cased you can tighten the connectors with a slight pinch with pliers to help improve the contact.
Some of the illumination bulbs did not work well, and sanding the outside of the bulb housing to clean up the ground solved that problem.

RyeJag