Help Changing 86 Power Window Switch Please
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 142
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From: New Jersey
Help Changing 86 Power Window Switch Please
The driver's power window switch in my center console seemed to have some play for a while but would work if you jiggled it (it seemed loose, like something gave way, the little piece you pushed was loose, not the whole thing) I ordered the part from a dealer but they want $80 to install it. Looks as if its easy to do. Has anyone changed one? Are there any instructions to do it?
Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the help.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
are those the small black screws on top only? or are there any in the box ? how many are there if you can tell me. Thank you very much, I just don't want to break anything. Have you done this ?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,220
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Remove A/C Bezel
Removed shifter **** (see threads how to do this)
Remove console bezel
Remove felt in console bottom
Remove 4 plastic screw covers
Removed 4 screws (Now the rear of the console is loose
Remove 2 screws at front of console (10mm?)
You may need to unscrew lighter recepticle (with power fuse removed.)
Front and rear sections of recepticle screw together. (They rotate on the same axis as the lighter would rotate if in recepticle.)
Now the whole thing should be loose
Hope I remembered everything.
Removed shifter **** (see threads how to do this)
Remove console bezel
Remove felt in console bottom
Remove 4 plastic screw covers
Removed 4 screws (Now the rear of the console is loose
Remove 2 screws at front of console (10mm?)
You may need to unscrew lighter recepticle (with power fuse removed.)
Front and rear sections of recepticle screw together. (They rotate on the same axis as the lighter would rotate if in recepticle.)
Now the whole thing should be loose
Hope I remembered everything.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
From: Newark, New Jersey
that switch youre replacing gets mounted in a square retainer. That retainer might be broken. Make sure you get an ac/delco switch. I changed mine with aftermarket switch and it wiggled. Ended up buying original AC/Delco, and you could tell its a firmer, well built switch. I forgot if the retainer came with the new switch or if I bought it separately.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,222
Likes: 207
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,220
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Remove A/C Bezel
Removed shifter **** (see threads how to do this)
Remove console bezel
Remove felt in console bottom
Remove 4 plastic screw covers
Removed 4 screws (Now the rear of the console is loose
Remove 2 screws at front of console (10mm?)
You may need to unscrew lighter recepticle (with power fuse removed.)
Front and rear sections of recepticle screw together. (They rotate on the same axis as the lighter would rotate if in recepticle.)
Now the whole thing should be loose
Hope I remembered everything.
Removed shifter **** (see threads how to do this)
Remove console bezel
Remove felt in console bottom
Remove 4 plastic screw covers
Removed 4 screws (Now the rear of the console is loose
Remove 2 screws at front of console (10mm?)
You may need to unscrew lighter recepticle (with power fuse removed.)
Front and rear sections of recepticle screw together. (They rotate on the same axis as the lighter would rotate if in recepticle.)
Now the whole thing should be loose
Hope I remembered everything.
The first three steps should get you there. And, to removed the cig recepticle, unplug it. Leave it attached to the console bezel.
The rest of the steps would only be required if you need to get at the underside of the console mounting tray.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
anyone else have any infomation would be usefull
If and when I get to the switch do you have to unscrew it ? then does it just come out of the female portion or do you something special (don't know if the two pieces lock together or not)
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
From: Newark, New Jersey
after you get the console off, there are 2 little screws that hold the switch. Not sure if the new switch comes with the "female portion" or not. The switch snaps into that part
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Help in middle of it and afraid of breaking bezel.
I got access to the switch and took out the two screws holding the bezel and window switch. the whole window female base, window switch and bezel are all connected. I don't want to force it and break the bezel, is there a trick to getting these pieces apart? do you use a flathead and pull apart the switch and bezel from the female piece? or does the bezel come off somehow first? then the switch. Afraid of breaking the bezel or worst the female portion. I thought getting access was going to be hard, just lossened scews and have it proped up, I didn't take it all the way out . I can get my hand in there. Please help, if anyone can instruct me how to get the switch apart now?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
taking apart window switch from bezel and female base?
The bezel has slots in it, do you push in a flat head or pry open? not touching it till someone who has done it has some information. There has to be a easy trick to getting the switch apart from the bezel and female portion without force and beaking it. Plaase help. Thank you.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Solved and done... thank you everyone
Thank you everyone for the tips... after looking at both part pictures it shows that the switch snaps with tabs into the bezel... using a flathead CAREFULLY I pried them apart from the bottom.... hopefully this post will save people some time. here how the process went to change the window switch on a C4, mine is a 86.I removed the six screws on the center console, 2 by the climate control (one on each side), 2 on the console by the window switches and 2 when you open the center glove box, (they are at the top inside facing the front, one is right next to the latch). You can now lift the center top plate about six inches, I used a small water bottle to wedge in under it to keep it up. You have to open the top lid of the glove box and carefully come up with the top plate by the hinge side of the glove box, wiggle it a little. it will come up. Then you have access to the switch with has a top bezel, covering the switch which goes into the harness. you then remove two screws holding the bezel, I went down through the actually opening for the window switch to access these. ( you will have too lower and raise the top plate for the right angle.)
Now for the fun part I carefully used a flathead that you put under the side of the bezel top pry it off gently. then I wiggled by hand the switch off the harness. (you could use the flathead). Now hold that harness up if you can, mine fell into the hole, but with a needle nose you can grab it by the corner and pull if up, there is a slot on the back corner.. (found this after 30 minutes of trying with my fingers to pull it up, then a screwdrivers etc, then I saw on the top of it where the switch plug in, there is space on the back to put a pair of needle nose top pull it up) just be carefully and don't let it fall in. I then put the new switch into the bezel (snaps in), then I supported the harness under the plastic with a flathead (carefully not tp hit wires) and pushed the Switch attached to bezel into the harness. I then maneuvered the switch into place, put in the two screws. Put down the top plate and put back the 6 screws. This worked out good for me, I didn't have to take out the whole center console of the shifter etc.
Thank you to everyone for their help... especially oldalaskaman.
You guys are great...
BTW... I'm no mechanic, I won't even attempt to change plugs...
Last edited by johnven; Jun 17, 2011 at 11:35 AM.
just curious. Where did you get your replacement switches? Are they genuine GM?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 142
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From: New Jersey
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 27
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Just changed my driver's side P/W window switch, in a dark garage with a hlogen drop light which burned the S _ _ T out of me. This forum was pretty helpful, but the job is a bitch. I hope I don't have to do it again (fingers crossed). I had to realize that the switch has to be separated from the bezel around it and you really need it to be in your hand (remove it from the female plug) to do that with a flat head screw driver. Especially if you're working under the console cover, without removing (which I did). After you pull it away from the female end (which has no access other than from the top hole, that the switch sits in (way to go GM), you have to figure a way to hold that female plug while pushing the switch (male plug) into it. I gerry rigged a strong piece of wire on the right side & a screw driver on the left side and after a couple hundred tries................................... ..........SUCCESS !!! Almost as good as winning the lottery. Oh if only I were an engineer ! Thanks guys !!!
