On a drive tonight, my high beam pull-lever had been getting erratic for weeks and it finally spit the bit tonight. I was able to finally get it into low beam so I wasn't blinding everyone, but it's not changing anymore. I pulled so hard on it trying to dim the lights I actually bent the lever (and, curiously, bent it into a much more usable position).

Couple of questions ...

1. Do I have to remove the steering wheel to get at this thing or can that plastic around the collar come off by itself?

2. Once I'm in there, what are my options? Buy one off a parts car? Clean/fix the one I have?

Jess

 

I'm guessing that your 89 version is different than a 94.
I have two extras if they are compatible.

 

I've fixed some switches by simply cleaning the ground contacts at the base of the stalk, seen in this pic (follow the blue/black wire)


I'm pretty sure that your '89 has the later style switch but it might have a similar grounding arrangement. Worth a peek.

Cheers
DD

 

Hi Jess
I have way more experience on the xj40s. From that pic it looks like the switch would need to slide off the front of the column, meaning that you would need to remove the steering wheel. For me removing the wheel is the easy part, I have never needed to use a puller and I think they're designed to be that way- one big nut and a simple tug and its off. If you have the airbag you'll need to disarm that first which is also pretty simple, there's a "D" shaped screw on the backside of the wheel which you turn (kind of a lot of times) and then you're good to go. I know there are threads in the xj40 section on disarming the airbag, just search there. Most recommend an adapted socket squashed down to fit. I found that a pair of needle nose Visegrips worked like a charm. Once you get it off you'll be able to see if its repairable and go from there. good luck, do your homework finding a switch if you buy, prices vary greatly on most parts depending simply on who has them...

 

Doug,

I think I have an older-style switch. I also own a Series III XJ6 (1987 model) and the stalks are identical. I'm just talking about what I can see from the driver's seat; I'm not sure they're functionally identical once you get them off the car.

Jess

 

Can you just remove the clam shells around the steering column?
WARNING they have some hidden fasteners that brake if you look at them wrong.
If you can do that, then send me a pic of the area where the stalk goes into the column.
We might even be able to identify the parts without removing the clam shells.
My 94s had stalks that are easily removed by squeezing some plastic clips.
Then you just pull them out the rest of the way until you can unplug the broken unit.
I think you have the same units as my 94s.

 

The XJS and XJ switches appear the same, but one thing I noticed was that the bend in the lever was different, in order to position it correctly.

Rob

 

Well, now there's a different bend to my XJS lever, lol. I was meeting a car with it on high beam and was trying to hard to get it to switch out that I bent it.

I actually bent it in a way that makes it more usable, if that's possible. It sits closer to the steering wheel now, like a more modern car.

Jess