"Door Ajar" switch problem.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
"Door Ajar" switch problem.
I just replaced the driver "door ajar" switch because it was causing my interior lights to flicker and my alarm too go off.
Now, the interior lights stay on all the time. Do I have a malfunctioning door switch or a different problem? For now, I took out the courtesy light fuse and disconnected both horns.
I bought the AC/Delco door switch from Ecklers before I read that these switches aren't very good.
Now, the interior lights stay on all the time. Do I have a malfunctioning door switch or a different problem? For now, I took out the courtesy light fuse and disconnected both horns.
I bought the AC/Delco door switch from Ecklers before I read that these switches aren't very good.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Mustang Oklahoma
I had a similar problem on my '86.
In my case, the plate that the switch for the rear hatch sits on needed to be shimmed with some washers a little bit to enable the switch to engage better. Guess they wear down a little over the years too.
In my case, the plate that the switch for the rear hatch sits on needed to be shimmed with some washers a little bit to enable the switch to engage better. Guess they wear down a little over the years too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
Boy, there's alot of things that can keep the interior lights on. You should be able to open the door and depress both the door ajar switch and the little plastic switch on the door pillar to turn the courtesy lights off. If that doesn't work it could be the century relay (think that's what it's called) it's about 1x1x1/2 inch thick under the passenger knee panel-make sure you can cross reference it-because it's no longer available on some year vettes-but was used in other GM cars as well. Before you do that-make sure your key is in a verticle position when removed from the lock-I know 2 vette owners who had your problem just to find out it was the lock.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
Fixed it! I found that the Passenger side door switch was making intermittent contact with the door jamb. I shimmed it with two little washers and everything works fine. 
Also, I've read that the AC/Delco door switches break a lot but, I found if you put the replacement switch in a vise before installing it and slowly compress the tip in to match the length of the old switch, everything will work fine.
The new AC/Delco "door ajar" switch looks and works just fine.
Also, I've read that the AC/Delco door switches break a lot but, I found if you put the replacement switch in a vise before installing it and slowly compress the tip in to match the length of the old switch, everything will work fine.
The new AC/Delco "door ajar" switch looks and works just fine.
glad to hear you solved your problem! 
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Nokesville Va
Originally Posted by GKK
Fixed it! I found that the Passenger side door switch was making intermittent contact with the door jamb. I shimmed it with two little washers and everything works fine.
Also, I've read that the AC/Delco door switches break a lot but, I found if you put the replacement switch in a vise before installing it and slowly compress the tip in to match the length of the old switch, everything will work fine.
The new AC/Delco "door ajar" switch looks and works just fine.
Also, I've read that the AC/Delco door switches break a lot but, I found if you put the replacement switch in a vise before installing it and slowly compress the tip in to match the length of the old switch, everything will work fine.
The new AC/Delco "door ajar" switch looks and works just fine.
They will over-self adjust over time, I always used a 1/4 inch piece of vacuum hose over the shaft, shut the door and done!
