How to fix the on/off switch on a Wahl Color Pro clipper

Home Repair


How to fix the on/off switch on a Wahl Color Pro clipper
The Wahl Color Pro Color Coded clipper is a good, reliable, inexpensive clipper set. It comes with several adjustable screws that may need to be played with over time for optimum performance, but otherwise it runs relatively problem-free. However, one problem that this clipper can develop after a significant amount of use is difficulty in turning on or off. It may be hard to push the power switch in, or just tapping the switch slightly may cause the clippers to turn on or off. This problem is typically caused by dirt that gets built up on the switch itself and on the contact for the switch, and it can easily be rectified in just a few minutes. Cleaning the switch is much cheaper than purchasing a new clipper set, and it can probably be done with tools you have lying around the house.
Instructions
Step 1 Remove the lower cover If the clipper is plugged into an outlet, unplug it before doing anything else. The white cover on the underside of the clipper comes off to allow access to the clipper's internal workings. To get this cover off, remove the two small Phillips head screws located at the base of the clipper (away from the blade) on the top (black) side. These screws are recessed fairly deeply, so you'll need a Phillips screwdriver with a thin head. Once you have the screws out, remove the white cover by pulling it away from the clipper. Set the screws somewhere safe. Step 2 Clean the switch As you're looking at the workings of the clipper, the power switch is located on the left side. It is the black and gold assembly with two wires attached to it by screws. This switch should slide easily when you turn the clipper on or off. Unscrew the Phillips screws holding the two wires (one black and one green). Then move the wires away from the switch so they are not touching anything. (This step is just to ensure that static electricity does not damage anything.) To clean the switch, spray some WD-40 or other lubricating oil onto a rag or paper towel. Wipe down the switch assembly and wipe away any dirt or other debris that you see. Then test the switch to make sure that it flips on and off easily. If the switch is still hard to push, you can spray some oil directly onto the switch assembly, but be careful not to spray too much. Wipe away any excess oil and try the switch again. It should flip without much effort. Step 3 Reassemble the clipper Reattach the two wires into their original positions with the small Phillips head screws. Then reattach the white cover and secure it with the two screws you removed earlier. Once everything is back together, plug the clipper in and test it to make sure it turns on, stays on, and turns back off.	Things Needed Wahl Color Pro clipper Small Phillips head screwdriver with a thin head WD-40, 3-in-1, or other liquid lubricant such as olive oil A paper towel or rag Tips & Warnings Make sure the clipper is unplugged from any power source before removing the cover. When using lubricating oil on the switch, be careful not to get too much oil inside the clipper. Wipe off any excess oil with a rag or paper towel. While you have the clipper cover off, now is a good time to clean out the insides of any hair or other debris. A can of compressed air or a small soft brush will work best.

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Greg Schwartz
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