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ARB Locker Switch Failure?

Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 7:08 pm
by alien
Hey guys

Anyone had their compressor switch fail on them?? Was inflating an xmas tree today (thats right, my boss has an inflatable xmas tree!) and after i was done i switched the compressor off, but then i wasnt happy with the firmness of the tree so went to pump it up some more and got nothing... although a small spark comes from behind the switch when i turn it off again (light still lights up when on though).

So im assuming the switch is the issue... the 40A fuse is still in place and everything is still connected to the compressor (wires).

Any advice???

Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 7:53 pm
by pongo
not sure but a smaller fuse if it is the one for the actual switch control if it actual has one.

Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 8:54 pm
by Micky-Lux
I replaced my compressor switch once. Basicly I moved positions in the dash, and the top broke off.

Anyway, I think the replacement switch was something like 10 bucks or so from ARB.

Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:24 pm
by alien
thanks guys - wheres the smaller fuse hidden??

Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:27 pm
by MissDrew
Some where in the compressor loom, I think it'll be under the dash some where. I think its a brown wire, or is it the red? Can't remember its been that long since I have used a factory arb loom :?

Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:50 pm
by alien
Thanks dude, ill check it out!

Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 10:25 pm
by MissDrew
On second thought I'd be more inclined to say either the relay has shat or the pressure switch has shat.
Easy to check, just get a dc volt meter and test the wire that turns the coil in the relay on, it should have power at it when the switch is on. If it doesn't then try the wires on the pressure switch, when you pull a wire only 1 of the 2 will have power.

Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:44 am
by GQ Bear
And should be a 30A fuse

Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 5:38 am
by MissDrew
GQ Bear wrote:And should be a 30A fuse
Only the main load fuse is a 30A and he said he has checked that.
The controll circuit fuse is only a 10A or lower, infacted this fuse could be like a 2.5A as it doesn't have any load on it at all its only a switching circuit.

Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:15 am
by alien
my main fuse is a 40A, its even written on the loom that it takes a 40A...

Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 6:24 pm
by alien
Well i spoke to ARB ozzie park who fitted it and they set some time aside this arvo to take a peek - its definitely the switch and theyre going to replace it for me tomorrow (even though the workshop is booked 4 weeks in advance)... AWESOME customer service right there!

Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 11:35 pm
by alien
Bad news - the new switch has failed!!!

is this a common issue? it happened inflating a small kids pool - was operating for about 10mins, i turned it off, realised it needed more air and it wouldnt turn back on - same spark from behind the switch as last time when it broke, same situation led to it...

im thinking i might just replace the fancy ARB switches with the generic stainless toggle type... no point having a rear air locker if the switch to the air source keeps failling!

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:19 am
by nicbeer
heat issuse i am guessing.

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:05 am
by alien
thats what i think - the light in the switch must be cooking the wires - the lights are still working on the switch though, but it gets warm!!

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:09 am
by lump_a_charcoal
Just use any switch, that is available at any parts store... The big ones are good for lockers, if you have to find them in a hurry (or if you have sausage fingers Aron, I know you are slow on the trigger so maybe that's why), but smaller switches should be fine for everything else.

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:15 am
by alien
thats what im thinking - the bulletproof stainless switches..

still doesnt negate the fact that 2 switches from the manufacturer have failed on me... i might take it to an auto-sparky to check the wiring they did and get a 3rd opinion - maybe wiring is causing the switch to fail?

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:20 am
by lump_a_charcoal
You could have damaged part of your loom which could be the issue, are you confident with a multimeter?
Having never seen an ARB compressor loom I can't really point you in any helpful direction...

PS sorry about telling everyone about your sausage fingers.

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:52 am
by alien
nope - not an electrician by any means =) for this kinda thing ill seek professional help!

as for the sausage fingers, well, next time you're in perth or im in syd we can put that to the test...

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 8:46 pm
by nisson35
if it a new commpressor i have taken mine back 4 times due to overheating and problems with shafts etc.... i just got the arb boys to replace my comp with a new bushranger and made up air tank for lockeers...

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:25 pm
by alien
problems with shafts?

overheating is a possibility - its mounted about 200mm from the extractors and my engine bay gets VERY warm.

EDIT: switch is now working again but theres a burning smell in the zuk - having an electrician check the looms and switches tomorrow to be safe. dont want my zuk to think its a jeep and burst into flames =)

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:11 am
by bj on roids
alien wrote:nope - not an electrician by any means =) for this kinda thing ill seek professional help!

as for the sausage fingers, well, next time you're in perth or im in syd we can put that to the test...

sausage fingers = well hung lesbian

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 12:42 pm
by alien
hahahahaha nar me and linc both play paintball - the faster you can move your fingers the faster you can shoot - linc is just jealous cos i can shoot 16 or so balls a second no worries, while he has to make his gun "bounce" (this is when the recoil of the previous shot creates enough pressure to pull the trigger again without you touching it).

Ill update you all tonight if anything is found by the electrician.

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 5:03 pm
by alien
results are in - one of the wires behind the compressor switch was loose and the likely cause of the problem. he commented that the loom and wiring was well done other than that though.