Replacing power window switch........1979
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,374
Likes: 224
From: Beecher Illinois
You don't need to remove the seats, but there is one screw beside the seat that is hard to get at to remove the side panels. A 90degree ratchet screwdriver will get to it if a previous owner hasn't already left it out. Or, with the 79 you can pop out the lower seat cushions, but a lot of guys find that to be a big project in itself! The side panels need to come off to get at the 4 screws holding the top trim panel in place which needs to come up to unscrew the window switches. 2 screws in the center gauge panel and 2 at the parking prake cover.
You can sometimes clean the contacts in the switches and reuse them. Bend up the 4 tabs retaining the guts. 1 or 2 or 3 tabs will probably break off. Take the insides out and run some sandpaper across the contacts. You'll see that there isn't much to the switch. Put the guts back in the housing the same way it was, if you turn it 180 degree the switch will work opposite(ask me how I know this!)that it normally would. Clamp the housing in a vice and bend over any remaining tabs. Then take a screwdriver and stake over any additional material that you can to help retain the insides.
Mike
You can sometimes clean the contacts in the switches and reuse them. Bend up the 4 tabs retaining the guts. 1 or 2 or 3 tabs will probably break off. Take the insides out and run some sandpaper across the contacts. You'll see that there isn't much to the switch. Put the guts back in the housing the same way it was, if you turn it 180 degree the switch will work opposite(ask me how I know this!)that it normally would. Clamp the housing in a vice and bend over any remaining tabs. Then take a screwdriver and stake over any additional material that you can to help retain the insides.
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
Removing the seats is very easy. Just get a long extension for your ratchet and move the seat forward to get to the rear. Scoot it back to do the fronts. It's much easier than trying to get to a screw in an awkward position.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,124
Likes: 673
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
This is easier than it looks. If you have a 1/4 drive rachet set and a small phillips bit, you can do it without removing the console panel, but you do have to take out the seats. And I'd do both switches at the same time as if one is failing the other one isn't far behind. Just take your time and look it over and be patient. Good luck ! 
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 14,509
Likes: 9
From: OIB, NC
Originally Posted by Ak. Mal
Removing the seats is very easy. Just get a long extension for your ratchet and move the seat forward to get to the rear. Scoot it back to do the fronts. It's much easier than trying to get to a screw in an awkward position.
