Door jamb switch: how does it work

[kikkegek]

hi guys,

the door switch on my driverside does not turn on the inside lights when I open the door. Today I pulled it out and it seems OK.

now, there are two wires connected to the switch. When I hold either of them against the chassis, the inside light will turn on.

So now I am guessin, this is how the switch works:
- you open the door.
- switch makes contact with the chassis.
- inside lights turn on

I tried to clean the contacts, rubs them a little with rubbingpaper (I dont know the right word for it, I am Dutch). But it didnt help.

now the switch seems all metal.

Can you guys explain to me how this switch works. So I can check it out?

it looks like this.

[Clyde65]

I think it grounds the light when activated or door is opened. It sounds like your switch is bad, I think it is called the courtesy switch here, under $5 from LMC, might be able to get one local.....Oh wait your not local.

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=161

[Jonboy]

You may be able to pull one from the rear or the other door also.

[kikkegek]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

I think it grounds the light when activated or door is opened. It sounds like your switch is bad, I think it is called the courtesy switch here, under $5 from LMC, might be able to get one local.....Oh wait your not local.

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=161

he thanks!

what I would like to know is does it ground by connecting the one wire to the other? or by the connection the switch makes to the chassis?

[Restrorob]

Originally Posted by kikkegek

by the connection the switch makes to the chassis?

You got it right there ^^^^^......

Make sure the threads in the cab/door jamb are free of rust/paint.

[kikkegek]

Thanks Restrorob I'll look into that in next year!
:-)

[cableguy0]

Its just the ground point for the lights. Each wire is a ground from a different light. The headlight switch also acts as a ground in the system to turn the dome lights on. The lights always have power and its the ground that is switched.

[tucsonjwt]

Before you buy a new switch, try loosening or tightening the locknut and turning the switch in the hole a bit. Sometimes the wires get twisted and lose a good connection.

[staggerd86c-10]

Just twist it around it usually has some dirt or rust that messes up the contact grab the pin in spray some wd40 and turn it a bit. There isnt anything mechanical for it to go bad, very rare to find one th hat doesnt work.
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[BigMike608]

mine is doing the same thing, glad I came across this post!

[LivNLo94]

i ordered a pair of these for my 85swb from classic industries. they fit a little losse in the original holes. any ideas on how to tighten them up a bit?

[staggerd86c-10]

You could find a jamb nut to put behind it or you can try to put something to thicken up the threads but it has to conduct electricty so the switch will still see ground
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[LivNLo94]

Originally Posted by staggerd86c-10

You could find a jamb nut to put behind it or you can try to put something to thicken up the threads but it has to conduct electricty so the switch will still see ground
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how would i get the nut back there? i was thinking about aluminum foil or somthing, but thats kinda ghetto.

[staggerd86c-10]

Not 100% sure but I think if you remove the kick panel you will have access. I would like someone to chime in on this
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[tucsonjwt]

The switches should not be loose. There are different switches for different trucks - I think later model switches are actually plastic. I would double check to make sure that you have the correct switches. Also, try reinstalling your old switches - chances are they will work with a little silicone spray or WD 40 on the plunger and some cleaning/tightening of the contact surface and nut. Wiggle and push the switch, loosen/tighten the nut, with the door open once installed and see if the light works that way. You need to hold the threads tightly when you turn the nut or the whole switch will turn in the hole and twist/loosen the wires - easy mistake to make - ask me how I know LOL.

[Restrorob]

Originally Posted by staggerd86c-10

Not 100% sure but I think if you remove the kick panel you will have access. I would like someone to chime in on this
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On my 74 there's no access hole behind the kick panel for installing a nut, It's solid sheet metal. But.... One could cut a access hole if need be and re-cover it with a larger piece using small sheet metal screws and some type sealer.

[motornut]

there is a black rubber gromment (bout an inch wide)going from inside the piller to the door switch ,holding the wire it's a white wire bonded to the grommet
look left of the e brake pull off and slightly above the hood popper(same area pass side too)
@ the door switch
the white is the dome light (going to ground lites the dome)
second is the key in ,door open buzzer wire

[kikkegek]

Originally Posted by motornut

there is a black rubber gromment (bout an inch wide)going from inside the piller to the door switch ,holding the wire it's a white wire bonded to the grommet
look left of the e brake pull off and slightly above the hood popper(same area pass side too)
@ the door switch
the white is the dome light (going to ground lites the dome)
second is the key in ,door open buzzer wire

He Motornut, thanks for the info.

is there a door open buzzer in my burb?

I'll check it tomorrow. thanks for the info.

[motornut]

should be a buzzer when the key is left in or the headlights are on,
and the drivers door is opened
I for one, will remove the buzzzzzer somehow,snip, yank tug

[kikkegek]

finally found some time and tried some of the advise you guys gave me.

I don know what did the trick. But I ended up switching the rear door switch and the front door switch...I also added some WD-40 while I was busy. I thought I would end up with a rear door not working and a front door working....but both doors and switches are now working.

so thanks guys...you really helped...

now the lights always go on...and the alarm is triggered when entering through any door...before the driver side door wouldnt trip it ofcourse...because the switch was not working....