71 Door switch replacement
Thread Starter
Yellow C3/C5
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
71 Door courtesy light switch replacement
Looks like I need to replace the drivers side courtesy light switch. Do I remove the kick panel to access this?
Last edited by VolFan615; Apr 20, 2005 at 11:53 PM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: Shoreline WA
You need to remove the kick panel so you can remove the wires connected to the switch. If you don't disconnect them before unscrewing the switch, you would twist the wires.
On a 71, it looks like there are two wires on the switch a light blue and a black. The black supplies a ground to the light blue when the doors is open, causing the "door ajar" light to iluminate. Test by suppling a temparary ground to the light blue wire with the ignition on, the light should come on. If it does, then it is the switch or the black wire.
On a 71, it looks like there are two wires on the switch a light blue and a black. The black supplies a ground to the light blue when the doors is open, causing the "door ajar" light to iluminate. Test by suppling a temparary ground to the light blue wire with the ignition on, the light should come on. If it does, then it is the switch or the black wire.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 13
From: Hollywood, Florida
You should be able to unscrew it with a deep well 7/16" (i think) socket, and slowly pull it thru the hole. If the wire comes loose, the you will need to undo the kick panel to retrieve it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by shoptek
You should be able to unscrew it with a deep well 7/16" (i think) socket, and slowly pull it thru the hole. If the wire comes loose, the you will need to undo the kick panel to retrieve it.
Been there, done that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Remove the kick panel. You should be able to reach in and grab the back side nylon portion of the switch that the wires attach to. (don't grab the wires) pull slightly on the nylon and hold it still....as you loosten the switch with a deep well socket from the front. It will spin out with no damage to the switch or wires. Now you have to remove the wires from the back side of the switch to change it. Use a very, very small flat blade (I ground down an exacto knife blade) to push into the wire connector. That releases the tiny clip inside holding the connector to the switch. Carefull...these tiny wire connectors will break or bend. You can crimp on new connectors if they're damaged or broke. Catalog vendors carry them. Spread them a little before you push them into your new switch, and make sure the tiny tang on the connector is protruding before install. That's what holds the connector in.
Eddie
Eddie
