Can "sticky" switches be cleaned so they operate smoothly?

[Cobra Jet]

The eletrical switches in my interior are "sticky", meaning that if pressed in (turn on), the switch button actually "sticks",  When trying to turn off a certain switch it does not spring back and the button has to be pressed harder to get it to release (turn off).

Can these switches (windows, window lock, A/C, defroster & hazard) be squirted or cleaned w/ Eletrical contact cleaner (the type that evaporates fast) to loosen up the buttons or restore them back to fully operational?

The window switches are not that bad, but the others when turned on and pressed in are hard to turn off because they are not springing back easily.

Has anyone ever cleaned these switches?   They do all work, but as stated above, they're not operating smoothly...

[Nick_318is]

Great question I have been wondering this as well as my Rear defrost is always getting stuck and I have to make sure to undo it cause I don't want the blown up rear window.  Anyone have a solution for this problem?

[n2motorsports]

disclosure****have not attempted myself yet********do at your own risk

have you tried pulling it out and spraying it down with electrical cleaner?  I am not sure what it does to plastic though, it may dull it, but if you had an extra switch/button, why not experiment on it?

[tony92ic]

If its sticking because you spilled coke or something in it, I think its going to need more than a quick burst of electrical cleaner.  
Try the electrical cleaner (after removing it and unpluging it)  Hold it upside down and spray the heck out of it. Enough so that it flushes it out.  If that doesn't work run hot water through it then let it dry. They are just plastic with two copper prongs. The water shouldn't hurt it as long as you've got it out of the car and let it dry thoroughly before putting it back in.  

If it is snapping in and out then more than likely something inside broke and you need to replace it.

It seems to me they aren't that expensive to replace. $2 at the average pick-n-pull or $5-$10 on ebay. Nearly every BMW of that vintage had the same switches. Some are lighted and some are not, but they are all interchangeable.

[bmwpower]

I've successfully used electrical cleaner before.

[gearheadE30]

I have actually completely dissasembled all of my plugs, used thin sheet metal on either side of the plug body, and lubricated it with lithium grease. You don't have to do the sheet metal thing; I just did that because sometimes certain switches wouldn't stay in the right position. Granted, you could just get new swiches; they are pretty cheap.

[bmwman91]

I have pulled the window switches apart before and cleaned them out with rubbing alcohol.  It was pretty easy.  The other ones are probably about the same.  I'd be careful with Contact Cleaner and other solvents.  I use them at work, and they melt plastic like it's nothing.

[toddz69]

Great question I have been wondering this as well as my Rear defrost is always getting stuck and I have to make sure to undo it cause I don't want the blown up rear window.  Anyone have a solution for this problem?

My rear defrost switch kept getting stuck too.  Kept having to pop it back out with my pocket knife blade - not the smartest thing in the world to do.  I kept my eyes peeled at the pick-a-parts and finally helped myself to a nice one a few weeks ago.  Problem solved.  I always take the window switches when I'm there too.  I probably have enough spare window switches to last me for the next 10 years :-).   They fit in your pocket so they're free :-).

Todd Z.