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View Full Version : Poor man fix for door jamb switches.



firefighterwhite89
04-23-2014, 09:14 PM
Here lately, I've had little cash to spare. I got to wondering why none of my original door light switches worked. No clue how long all four have failed to make contact but i had a feeling i knew why. I removed each switch, and easily figured out how they work. They slide and when they stop they make contact. This is what ALL four looked like:
http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab320/firefighterwhite89/3geez/20140423_171310_zpsmfxzi1mw.jpg (http://s875.photobucket.com/user/firefighterwhite89/media/3geez/20140423_171310_zpsmfxzi1mw.jpg.html)
http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab320/firefighterwhite89/3geez/20140423_171343_zpsbbn3r39m.jpg (http://s875.photobucket.com/user/firefighterwhite89/media/3geez/20140423_171343_zpsbbn3r39m.jpg.html)
http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab320/firefighterwhite89/3geez/20140423_171407_zpssr4fp5ib.jpg (http://s875.photobucket.com/user/firefighterwhite89/media/3geez/20140423_171407_zpssr4fp5ib.jpg.html)

All four had rust on one side, and were clean on the other. The point of contact had rusted beyond much repair. I tried sanding the prong which cleaned it, but the other point of contact was somewhat pitted and rusty as well. I used my dremel tool and a stainless brush bit to clean the surfaces of rust. Oddly, this didn't fix my door switch enough to make the correct contact thus making the lighting work. Knowing these will have to be replaced further down the road for sure, I cut all but a quarter inch off the male connection prong after cleaning it. Used a pair of wire pliers to cut the prong then bend it back and forth and break it off at the cut.
Then i cut the protective sleeve back about an eighth of an inch so when i pushed it all the way on, it touches the plastic part of the switch but the female connector itself makes contact with switch instead of the male prong contacting the switch.
http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab320/firefighterwhite89/3geez/20140423_171243_zpsxy2vkc0t.jpg (http://s875.photobucket.com/user/firefighterwhite89/media/3geez/20140423_171243_zpsxy2vkc0t.jpg.html)
http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab320/firefighterwhite89/3geez/20140423_171233_zpsxuljuoqx.jpg (http://s875.photobucket.com/user/firefighterwhite89/media/3geez/20140423_171233_zpsxuljuoqx.jpg.html)
Then re-install the screw. I would recommend using sandpaper and/or a file to get rid of any rust as the screw and switch itself have to ground out to the body. Easy fix that takes less that 10 minutes per switch to do and saves $9.99/switch if you're in a pinch.

firefighterwhite89
04-24-2014, 12:38 AM
http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab320/firefighterwhite89/Gauges%20and%20LEDs/20140424_012956_zpstxh5z5lv.jpg (http://s875.photobucket.com/user/firefighterwhite89/media/Gauges%20and%20LEDs/20140424_012956_zpstxh5z5lv.jpg.html)
http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab320/firefighterwhite89/Gauges%20and%20LEDs/20140424_012936_zpsnp3ljtjx.jpg (http://s875.photobucket.com/user/firefighterwhite89/media/Gauges%20and%20LEDs/20140424_012936_zpsnp3ljtjx.jpg.html)
http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab320/firefighterwhite89/Gauges%20and%20LEDs/20140424_012917_zps6pn92y7r.jpg (http://s875.photobucket.com/user/firefighterwhite89/media/Gauges%20and%20LEDs/20140424_012917_zps6pn92y7r.jpg.html)

Dr_Snooz
04-24-2014, 06:12 PM
Pics of fix would be awesome. From what I'm picturing though, it's an epic jury rig.

AccordB20A
04-26-2014, 03:46 PM
yours must be pretty bad. i have usually always gotten away with sanding the contacts and then they work fine again.

Hazwan
04-27-2014, 12:32 AM
Mine were rusty and sanding would fix it for a while, until it rusts again. But yes need pics of the fixed contacts. I don't get how you're putting the connector back in if you've cut the male connector off?

Better yet: http://www.3geez.com/forum/how/75391-upgraded-door-jamb-switch.html

You don't have to worry about them rusting ever again.

Dr_Snooz
04-27-2014, 06:44 AM
I don't get how you're putting the connector back in if you've cut the male connector off?

He's shortening the male connector enough so that the female connector slides completely around and over it. Then instead of the male connector contacting the housing and completing the circuit, the sides of the female connector contact the housing and complete the circuit.