Thanks! Going to repair one that I used a lot. Wire wheeled it and polished it. Used it for years, it was with me for many disasters, parked it 4 years ago. Was a damn fine light, it deserves to be serviceable again.
Thanks! Was able to combine parts (bulb holder from an old maglite) with a a Maglite charger to install a 550 lumen led on my rechargeable maglite. Got them both for $3 at a thrift store. Works awesome!
Very first thing I do when I purchase a new flashlight is to grease the threads with a thin coat of vaseline. Makes replacing batteries & disassembly MUCH easier.
If your batteries leaked, likely this will still be difficult. See other videos that show this process. Never store Maglites bulb down, to avoid damaging the switch. It is a good idea to take the batteries out, if it will be stored for a long time. I was able to fix my 3D cell. I will soon use a small cylinder hone to correct the damage caused by the alkaline to the aluminum tube. I might use a parchment sleeve to protect it in the future. Don't use vinegar to remove the gunk. It will corrode all of the contacts and eat the mirror finish on the reflector. Some battery manufacturers may replace your Maglite if the batteries weren't expired or stored improperly.
Many thanks, Mygiguser: I never would have found that setscrew for the switch without your video. I have a MUCH older - incandescent, 4 C-cell - version. As had been mentioned, there is a brass retainer in front of the socket assembly. I happened to have a very thin pair of long nose pliers that loosened it, but mine wasn't too tight. Had it been fully tightened I don't know if it would have come out so easily. But because of that ring the socket/switch assembly can come out of either end. That worked out pretty well, because I had a set of what-used-to-be batteries that could only be cleaned out by going all the way thru with a pipe. If the switch/socket couldn't come out the front I believe the light would have been trash. Thanks again!
You're a life saver mate, I've spent over 30 minutes trying every single Allan key and Torx key down inside my button trying to figure out why it won't work on my old police issue C cell that's stopped working. You were correct.
FYI ---- pre 2001 Maglites are different. They have a retaining ring that must be removed from front of light -- and the replacement switch is a different part number also.
on mine 20+ years old I am in USA you also have a thick aluminum threaded ring you unscrew from front. it has 2 shallow holes, not all the way through for a special tool, I used a ball tip Allan screwdriver to unscrew, looks completely different
very good ,,,, i have the L E D mag it takes a torx 8 to loosen that switch but ! i could not move that switch at all ? i called mag support to see if i needed another tool cause there are things you see in the switch that could need to be unscrewed but they simply said WE CANT TELL YOU THAT send it to us LOL ,,ill keep surching thank you so far your the best ,,,
One of my Maglites has a damaged switch after the result of 60 minutes of "mortaring" the flashlight against a wood block to removed 3 corroded batteries. I removed the rubber cover for the switch but I am not feeling any sort of screw within there whatsoever. My allen key inserts smoothly and finds nothing and can twist freely in any direction. Any thoughts?
Very good video! thanks! Can you add in your description that some models use a Torx Allen screw instead of an 8mm? Mine had the torx. I didn’t have one so I ground grooves in an 8 mm Allen to look like a Torx.
Hmm interesting- thanks. I had a problem with contacts, and just assumed it was glued in position - so I hacksawed it in two to get to the switch, then dumped it. Oh well, no obvious tho is it?
No allen key / grub screw for me in my, if I recall, c.2007 2D-cell torch, so think you're inadvertently being a bit general in saying your video is how to change the switch (implication being in all cases). Got a very stiff spring clip visible down inside the barrel, viewed from the front. No idea how to get that out, if need be.
Thanks! In another video, the guy(idiot) says the tool is a Torx T-wrench. My problem now is that the battery end and the switch end are corroded enough that I can't get them free. I'm gonna try vinegar & ammonia boiling for a while.
As far as I know the switch of an "old" Maglite has to be removed to the other direction. You can do some research on the serial no. Maybe you're lucky.
Beware. I followed your instructions exactly and when I gently pushed the cylindrical piece out of the switch assembly the nut on the opposite side of the assembly broke free from the metal contacts. It was apparently spot welded to the very think sheet metal strip. This nut holds a pointed set screw, that makes electrical contact with the aluminum housing. Now there is no solid electrical contact from the aluminum housing to the switch assembly. Ruined my switch.
Thanks! Going to repair one that I used a lot. Wire wheeled it and polished it. Used it for years, it was with me for many disasters, parked it 4 years ago. Was a damn fine light, it deserves to be serviceable again.
Thank you! Going to give my decades-old 2-cell a service now.
Thanks for the video. I’m now a proud owner of a working maglite, again.
Thanks! Was able to combine parts (bulb holder from an old maglite) with a a Maglite charger to install a 550 lumen led on my rechargeable maglite. Got them both for $3 at a thrift store. Works awesome!
You got the charger for $3?
@@TheReal1953 with the flashlight too, ya $3
Very first thing I do when I purchase a new flashlight is to grease the threads with a thin coat of vaseline. Makes replacing batteries & disassembly MUCH easier.
If your batteries leaked, likely this will still be difficult. See other videos that show this process. Never store Maglites bulb down, to avoid damaging the switch. It is a good idea to take the batteries out, if it will be stored for a long time. I was able to fix my 3D cell. I will soon use a small cylinder hone to correct the damage caused by the alkaline to the aluminum tube. I might use a parchment sleeve to protect it in the future. Don't use vinegar to remove the gunk. It will corrode all of the contacts and eat the mirror finish on the reflector. Some battery manufacturers may replace your Maglite if the batteries weren't expired or stored improperly.
Thanks great video, exactly what I needed. My best torch has been reborn.
Many thanks, Mygiguser: I never would have found that setscrew for the switch without your video. I have a MUCH older - incandescent, 4 C-cell - version. As had been mentioned, there is a brass retainer in front of the socket assembly. I happened to have a very thin pair of long nose pliers that loosened it, but mine wasn't too tight. Had it been fully tightened I don't know if it would have come out so easily. But because of that ring the socket/switch assembly can come out of either end. That worked out pretty well, because I had a set of what-used-to-be batteries that could only be cleaned out by going all the way thru with a pipe. If the switch/socket couldn't come out the front I believe the light would have been trash. Thanks again!
You're a life saver mate, I've spent over 30 minutes trying every single Allan key and Torx key down inside my button trying to figure out why it won't work on my old police issue C cell that's stopped working. You were correct.
You saved my life bro. Had to replace my switch and had no idea how to get old one out.
Manage to remove two swollen batterie that had leaked thanks to your tutorial. Kudos!!
FYI ---- pre 2001 Maglites are different. They have a retaining ring that must be removed from front of light -- and the replacement switch is a different part number also.
Older model of Mag D is 5/64" allen wrench and newer models use Torx 8
on mine 20+ years old
I am in USA
you also have a thick aluminum threaded ring you unscrew from front.
it has 2 shallow holes, not all the way through for a special tool, I used a ball tip Allan screwdriver to unscrew, looks completely different
very good ,,,, i have the L E D mag it takes a torx 8 to loosen that switch but ! i could not move that switch at all ? i called mag support to see if i needed another tool cause there are things you see in the switch that could need to be unscrewed but they simply said WE CANT TELL YOU THAT send it to us LOL ,,ill keep surching thank you so far your the best ,,,
One of my Maglites has a damaged switch after the result of 60 minutes of "mortaring" the flashlight against a wood block to removed 3 corroded batteries. I removed the rubber cover for the switch but I am not feeling any sort of screw within there whatsoever. My allen key inserts smoothly and finds nothing and can twist freely in any direction. Any thoughts?
Great video and explanation!!!! Thumbs up from me.
Much appreciated!
We were wondering where the other bulb popped out from. I was wondering if u knew, so we could put it back. It was protected with a spongy material.
it's in the spring in the cap
@@mygiguser I thought so, but my son kept tln me it was Impisible. I am putn it back right now.
@@mygiguser Thanks
Thanks, needed a new switch .
Very good video! thanks!
Can you add in your description that some models use a Torx Allen screw instead of an 8mm?
Mine had the torx. I didn’t have one so I ground grooves in an 8 mm Allen to look like a Torx.
Thank you!
thanks man , really useful video.
Should you feel resistance when turning the Allen wrench?
EXCELLENT ! - from BULGARIA , EUROPE !
This was very helpful thank you
Thank you! I really enjoyed that..... and really useful
Hmm interesting- thanks. I had a problem with contacts, and just assumed it was glued in position - so I hacksawed it in two to get to the switch, then dumped it. Oh well, no obvious tho is it?
No allen key / grub screw for me in my, if I recall, c.2007 2D-cell torch, so think you're inadvertently being a bit general in saying your video is how to change the switch (implication being in all cases). Got a very stiff spring clip visible down inside the barrel, viewed from the front. No idea how to get that out, if need be.
can't seem to get the switch thing to unscrew
Thanks!
Thank you
If the hex does catch the screw.. how do I remove the switch even if it brakes...
Neat batteries!
Where did you buy the batteries from?
Thanks! In another video, the guy(idiot) says the tool is a Torx T-wrench. My problem now is that the battery end and the switch end are corroded enough that I can't get them free. I'm gonna try vinegar & ammonia boiling for a while.
In later lights it is a Torx, genius..
Excellent 👍
Do you know if its possible to slide it out from the front of the torch rather than back. Esp if the batteries are corroded in.
Shilks i thi nk it goes only one direction
As far as I know the switch of an "old" Maglite has to be removed to the other direction.
You can do some research on the serial no. Maybe you're lucky.
Thanks ! are you a german ?
2:48 pull out game stronk.
Where can I get those rechargeable batteries?
I got them from Costco at the time, but i assume Amazon and EBay have them too.
ist es normal dass der schalter klappert?
bei mir ist es der fall
nicht wenn die Schraube angezogen ist und die Gummikappe installiert ist.
@@mygiguser ok,
vielen dank
My switch has no hole. what to do?
Good question, i don't know.
What model is it? Is it Incandescent one?
2MM doesn't do a thing for mine
In that case you may have newer version which is Torx 8 but shank should be tinyer than head.
this doesn't work
Muito bom.
u need torx 8 not allen , you strip the head of the screw
Older model of Mag D is 5/64" allen wrench and newer models use Torx 8
Beware. I followed your instructions exactly and when I gently pushed the cylindrical piece out of the switch assembly the nut on the opposite side of the assembly broke free from the metal contacts. It was apparently spot welded to the very think sheet metal strip. This nut holds a pointed set screw, that makes electrical contact with the aluminum housing. Now there is no solid electrical contact from the aluminum housing to the switch assembly. Ruined my switch.
There are conductive glues if you care to fix it.
Danke dir 👍🏼
Thank you