How to Fix a MagLite Flashlight

The rugged aluminum case of a "C" cell battery-powered Maglite-brand flashlight makes it well-suited for maintenance work and other uses where it could be dropped or mishandled. The rubber cap protecting the push button on the side of the Maglite can fall off, allowing dust and other contaminants to get into the switch assembly and cause the button to stick. To fix the button, the switch must be removed from the Maglite and cleaned.

• 1

  Unscrew the bottom cap off the Maglite. Remove the batteries from the battery compartment. Unscrew the reflector from the front of the Maglite. Unscrew the bulb retaining ring from around the bulb. Unscrew the bulb.

• 2

  Pull the rubber cap off the white button on the side of the Maglite with your fingers. Press down once on the white button. Press down once on the white button. Insert the hex wrench into the hole in the center of the white switch. Rotate the hex wrench three complete turns counterclockwise.

• 3

  Place the eraser end of the pencil against the white switch. Push the pencil through the side of the Maglite so as to cause the entire switch assembly to exit the bottom.

• 4

  Blow the switch assembly off with compressed air. Moisten a cotton swab in distilled alcohol. Wipe the moistened end of the swab around the white button. Dispose of the swab in the trash.

• 5

  Place the switch assembly back into the bottom of the Maglite. Push the white button back through the hole in the side of the Maglite. Insert the hex wrench into the hole in the white button. Rotate the hex wrench three complete turns clockwise. Place the rubber cap back over the white button.

• 6

  Reinsert the bulb in the Maglite. Reattach the bulb retaining ring. Reattach the reflector. Place the batteries back into the bottom of the Maglite. Screw the bottom cap back on.