Hi gang............glad I checked in here, I am having the same issue with the switch in the base, when not installed works perfectly by touching it, when installed it does not work.......it works by the finger conducting the current for sure, but given how it is made it seems my finger cannot contact the metal spring to make contact and thus the switch will not react to touch................
I like the idea of cutting out the little piece in the middle, the switch sits under it, I think if I do that as noted above my finger will be able to touch the metal edges of the spring and make contact.......................I will report back...........in the interim I have asked for a new switch too...........this is poorly designed.....
Rick in Victoria, BC