Bathroom pull cord repair problem

[DifferentlySane]

Hello,

Our bathroom light pull cord snapped and I attempted to repair it. The cord broke right up in the switch so I had to unscrew it to reattach the cord. However, because I am an idiot and don't know what I'm doing, I now can't get the pieces back together. I have the type of fitting shown in my pictures.

I also don't know the technical names for literally any of these pieces; normally I don't attempt DIY, but there's a lockdown on so I thought I'd try...

So there's a spring, and an axle thing, which seems to connect to the actual switch pins to complete the circuit. There's also a black thing that seems intended to be pulled down by the cord and turn the cogs on the axle. My problem is I not sure of the exact configuration of all these parts. I know the cord is threaded through the wossname, because that was intact when I opened it, and there's grooves in the sconce to hold the axle. I can't get the axle and the wossname to align properly to work.

What do I need to do?

 

[terryplumb]

I would just bin that and fit a brand new switch .

 

[AndyPRK]

well if you disconnect the 2 wires (noting where they went)
and get it down at floor level, this will make it easier to see what's going on

then I guess you pull the string tight to tension spring, and put the barrel into the white bit (between the notches.
Then lower it onto the black part

 

[pauldelahaye]

For £2 - £3 at Screwfix, I think I'd go and buy a new one. I think you will be fine travelling in lockdown for this.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Click and collect at Screwfix, or Toolstation. They both have a very good social distanced pick up regime.

 

[DifferentlySane]

Thanks all. How tricky is fitting a whole new switch? I've never done any electrical work before. Is it something that a beginner could do with a good online tutorial?

 

[terryplumb]

Simple to do really. As long as you know what to do .

 

[Taylortwocities]

Thanks all. How tricky is fitting a whole new switch? I've never done any electrical work before. Is it something that a beginner could do with a good online tutorial?

Its two wires. Your switch may have three terminals plus an earth connection.
The two wires that are on the black switch that you have taken apart will go to C and L1 on your new switch. It doesnt matter which was round.
The earth connects to the earth terminal.

Simples!

Meerkat

• Taylortwocities
• 11 Dec 2009
• 53

PS Sergai says always switch off the mains before doing any electrical work.

 

[AndyPRK]

the difficult bit will be removing the base that is stuck to the ceiling ( i see you already have a screw loose )
And finding something solid to put the new screws into

 

[EFLImpudence]

Simple to do really. As long as you know what to do .

Like putting the switch back together.

 

[Sureitsoff?]

contactum switches are reckoned to be quiet in operation so treat yourself to a nice quiet new switch

 

[333rocky333]

The new switch likely will have different size screws to the old one. so its best to fit a new base too

 

[Captain Nemesis]

If you really dont want to go to a shop even for click&collect, buy a new one online and in the meantime put both wires in the same terminal and replace the switch and put up with the light being on all the time for a few days.

 

[securespark]

If it is going to be a pain to remove the pattress, buy a switch that will fit that pattress.
It looks like MK brand. Either get MK or a copy and fit the new switch to the existing pattress.

 

[securespark]

Toolstation have Axiom switch for £2 and Screwfix have MK for 3.70.