69 Cj5 Heater System

I have the switch, but it is also broken. All the parts are there. Maybe a handy jeep guy can make a new fiber board, or repair what I have. I will give it to you.

 

I am considering installing a steel rivet in the missing terminal’s location just to see if the switch would function.

From your photo, I see that the inscription is “ARK-LES” instead of “ARK-IES” that mine appeared to say. Thanks Lee.

 

I guess an Ark Ies is supposed to arc and burn up where as an Ark Les isn't? lol

 

I fully concur! My Ark-IES done burned up

 

Have you tried to fix your switch? My fiber board was broken in 3 pieces. Lots of tedious work and some epoxy and it seems solid.

 

I think a piece of "Formica" would work to recreate the board.

 

Looks like the original was Bakelite, a phenolic plastic that may be fiber reinforced. I'd use G10/FR4 glass epoxy board rather than Formica, since I think structurally it will be a lot stronger. If you want Formica, any builder's supply gives away samples that are about the size of a playing card. Formica is paper laminated with melamine resin. You could also use Bakelite, if you can find it.

McMaster-Carr

 

Yes what Tim said, it’s generally called Garolite.
We have used this at work for remaking insulating connectors for older parts on our assembly line equipment.

 

How big is this board, I think I could machine these out of bar stock. If so I could probably make these for about $2-$3 a piece. 1” diameter material is about $25 a foot. Machine the bar and then part them off. Just a thought.

 

Now we're getting somewhere. In the meantime, I will prototype one and post the sample.

 

Ooh please do post! I’m missing the terminal piece for one of the three and thought about popping a steel rivet in to it to see if the flush end of the rivet would make proper contact with the rotating internal bridge. I could figure out a way to get the electrical wire connected from there if needed.

 

I have located all the needed materials and components (garolite, rivets, and terminals). To make a prototype would cost about $25 for materials. (due to having to buy a volume). No question about it working, but that's a lot for one switch. I guess if there was a higher demand, it would be a worthy venture. Tim has identified a source for a switch that would work as a substitute if needed. But it is nice to have OEM.

 

Can anyone tell me the distance center-to-center between the two ~0.22" dia. holes used to mount the OEM heater control beneath the speedo cluster on their dashboard?

 

will get it for you tonight when I get home.

 

The heater control mounting holes in the bottom lip of the dash are 8" apart.

 

So, how much interest is there in a new fiber board for the heater switch? I have a fair stash of G-10 and a CNC mill, so if people still care I'd need to know how many to churn out.

 

Then we still need the "flipper" shaped knob!
-Donny

 

That would be nice! Always on the lookout for a broken unit but still has the “flipper” shaped knob.