Fix for a 4-button climate switch

1960dart said
Hi, new forum member here:)

Anyways, this is the exact information i was looking for. I have a related question you may have the answer to.

I have a 1960 dart that has the 4 button controller. I have vachum to the controller but the buttons don't seem to want to move. Should they be stiff or does the vachum help them move in and out or do i need to lubricate this unit somehow.

As well my wiring is a little messed up as I have no power to the controller right now so the fan is not running. I doubt this has any bearing on the controller push buttons being very stiff but i have been wrong before. Could this condition be what you are referring to as melted by the blower on high?

Sometimes you can get them working by lubing it but it's rare that you can totally cure it by doing that. Usually you can gently push the desired button in at the same time you pull the depressed button out. If not, you'll have to pull the switch and replace it or have it repaired/rebuilt. As Bill mentioned, it's a good idea to run the fan motor through a relay. The fan motors draw a lot of juice (even when they were new they were on the edge of overloading the circuit) and after 30-40-50 years of wear and added resistance, they will easily melt switches and/or bulkhead connections.