How do I: Remove the door jamb switch

[Keith Seymore]

I need to remove the little plunger switches in the door jambs that actuate the dome lamp.

How do I get around to the backside of those? I pulled the kick panel trim but there didn't seem to be an opening.

I'd like to leave the fenders on, btw, in case that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance -

K

[mhicks]

Just put a socket on it and unscrew it.

[Keith Seymore]

Thanks for the quick reply -

Don't they remove from the backside? Otherwise I can't imagine what keeps them in place.

K

[SBTork]

They thread into the door jamb. Once you unbolt it there you will see the two wires (drivers side).

[Keith Seymore]

Excellent. I'll take another look at it when I get home tonight.

Thanks, guys -

K

[Keith Seymore]

...

[mhicks]

I was thinking there was just one wire. The switch grounds the circuit when the button comes out so you need to get you a good ground when you install it.

[Keith Seymore]

Thanks, guys.

I pulled the jamb switch last night and....



....



....there was no wire hooked to it.


Does that mean there is some kind of fancy blade/insert terminal, or does that mean the wire is loose and flopping around inside the door jamb?

This would probably be a good time to describe the problem I'm chasing: the dome works properly with the passenger side door and with the headlamp switch. However, it does not work at all with the driver's door. Similarly, when driving down the road the dome lamp will blink on and off (sometimes staying on) until you slam the door or hit a bump.

I'm thinking the wire is broken off in there, which kind of leads me back to my original question: How do I get inside that kick panel area?

Thanks (again) in advance:

K

[mhicks]

I would get a coat hanger or piece of heavy wire and bend the end of it into a hook. Stick it in the hole and twist it around a few times. You should be able to grab it with that. Then go buy a new switch.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by mhicks

I would get a coat hanger or piece of heavy wire and bend the end of it into a hook. Stick it in the hole and twist it around a few times. You should be able to grab it with that. Then go buy a new switch.

Good call. I was able to hook both wires first try and pull them out. That definitely fixed the problem (apparently the white wire would touch the sheet metal and complete the ciruit, turning the dome on).

New switch is on it's way!

K

[Keith Seymore]

Done! Got the new switch installed over the weekend and everything is working as intended.

Thanks -

K

[Tony_SS]

Where'd you get the new switch from? I need one on the drivers side as well.

[Keith Seymore]

Cheyenne pickup parts.

You'll need to know if you need a 2 prong (pt # SW6671; $9.95) or a single prong (pt # SW578; $6.00).

Mine was a two prong; the two wires slip over a blade type connector and are separated by a little plastic blade.

K