711 switch - shorting out

[maglobal]

Well...I have no more hair to pull out...so...reaching out for help! Have a 711 switch. It had a broken switch plate (frog)...so I took the center rail rivet out and replaced it. reassembled it using a pop rivet and soldered the wires on the bottom back as best I could...used steel rivet and it looks good. I also had to replace the insulating fiber around the center rail...used rubber tape. When I test for continuity with multimeter it all seems to be open and good..across the two rails on top...from top rail through the rivet, out to the rails via the wire on the bottom that is soldered to the rivet.  when I put power on it through it worked for a while but now shorts out. I can't find a wiring diagram or troubleshooting instructions....but...can't figure out where it could be shorting out. I suspect it may be the insulation around the center rail...but...lcannot re-create the error by doing anything.... when it wasn't shorting...I had another problem in seemed to not power the light and the switch. I have another one that works well....and I've taken it apart and swapped around...but to no avail...seems I have a fundemental issue with the short. Any suggestions?

[lionelsoni]

My money's on the rubber tape.  That and plastic tape are easily punched through.  Thin cardboard works best for me.

[servoguy]

When you work on something, and there is a problem, always go back to whatever you just fixed.  It is very likely that the problem is with your latest piece of work. 

I agree with Bob, the tape is likely the problem

Bruce Baker

[maglobal]

Thank you.  I replaced the rubber tape with fiber cardboard. That at least eliminated one possibility. I then took apart my rivet and added a nylon spacer to the bottom of the post and reapplied the rivet.

 So..probably broke the troubleshooting rule of only changing one thing at a  time...but...in the end it solved the short!

Thank you for your response.