door jam switch keeps breaking..
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,791
Likes: 10
From: Long Island NY
door jam switch keeps breaking..
i've replaced my driver's side door jam switch twice already.. the first time, it broke as soon as i closed the door. (it broke meaning it broke apart, not electical failure) ok, maybe i got a dud. i went back to the dealer and the parts guy gave me a new one 
. i went home to change it again, and it worked for a week, then it broke again. i've notice that my OEM switches dont stick out as much as the new ones, i just thought because mine are old. but that seems to be the problem. i tried to exchange it again, but no dice 
. they told me that i was doing something wrong. i doubt i have the wrong part # cause i gave him my vin#. the dealer told me to adjust my door, but my door is straight and true. the middle part of the switches sticks out a lot further than my OEM ones.
Can someone verify this for me or have pics of what their switch looks like and compare them with mine? if someone can help me post pics, i'd appreciate it.
thanks
vinnie
. i went home to change it again, and it worked for a week, then it broke again. i've notice that my OEM switches dont stick out as much as the new ones, i just thought because mine are old. but that seems to be the problem. i tried to exchange it again, but no dice . they told me that i was doing something wrong. i doubt i have the wrong part # cause i gave him my vin#. the dealer told me to adjust my door, but my door is straight and true. the middle part of the switches sticks out a lot further than my OEM ones.Can someone verify this for me or have pics of what their switch looks like and compare them with mine? if someone can help me post pics, i'd appreciate it.
thanks
vinnie
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
You're not doing anything wrong, AC Delco's quality control on these parts is simply non existent. The local parts stores here can get different brands, I'm gonna try those and see if I can get some that don't break on first use.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,791
Likes: 10
From: Long Island NY
i'll have to argee with AC delco's quailty. i thought that AC Delco would be the better than other brands but i guess i was wrong. i'll try auto zone or pep boys.
FWIW, the AC Delco switch looked like it was held together with little dabs of glue.
thanks
vinnie
FWIW, the AC Delco switch looked like it was held together with little dabs of glue.
thanks
vinnie
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Well if you find a particular brand that works before I do please let me know! I don't want to waste anymore money.
Currently I've got the situation fixed using some washers to space the switch out from the door and a piece of cardboard taped to the doorjamb. Obviously this isn't an idea solution!
Currently I've got the situation fixed using some washers to space the switch out from the door and a piece of cardboard taped to the doorjamb. Obviously this isn't an idea solution!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
I thought I was the only one to do that. I got one from auto zone and broke it when I shut the door. Ordered one from gm, and pushed the plunger extention in before installing it. So far it has not broke. They are junk. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 1
From: Springfield MO
I was having the same problem. Does yours have an extension on the main plunger? Mine did, I cut if off because it did nothing but cause the whole assembly to be too long.....which ended up breaking every one I installed. Worked like a champ
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,791
Likes: 10
From: Long Island NY
the plunger being too long was my problem. i was afraid to push it in too hard.. how'd you push yours in? if it was further in, it will be the same length as my OEM one which owould make it work!
i also though about cutting off the plunger..
thanks
vinnie
i also though about cutting off the plunger..
thanks
vinnie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Before installing the switch, I used the vise and pressed it back in. That way the back side was supported. The intent with the plunger is to automatically adjust for the clearance between the switch and the door shell. But when you close the door, with the pin extended, it is in effect like hitting it with a hammer.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
The plunger doesn't thread in, it just pushes in. One of my new ones broke immediately, the other one collapsed the plunger exactly like it should have but then the switch crapped out within a week.
Not to mention that neither had a smooth operation, they would drag and hang. In short they are complete junk.
Not to mention that neither had a smooth operation, they would drag and hang. In short they are complete junk.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 1
From: Springfield MO
Originally Posted by BlkSS1755
the plunger being too long was my problem. i was afraid to push it in too hard.. how'd you push yours in? if it was further in, it will be the same length as my OEM one which owould make it work!
i also though about cutting off the plunger..
thanks
vinnie
i also though about cutting off the plunger..
thanks
vinnie
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Probably a stupid question but has anybody just slowly closed the door after installation? If they are supposed to "find" their own depth maybe just slamming the door is the problem here. I guess I'll find out soon enough when I replace mine.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,791
Likes: 10
From: Long Island NY
Originally Posted by Midnight 85
Probably a stupid question but has anybody just slowly closed the door after installation? If they are supposed to "find" their own depth maybe just slamming the door is the problem here. I guess I'll find out soon enough when I replace mine.
i'm gonna go with the "cutting the plunger" method next time i have a chance to stop by the dealer.thanks
vinnie
Instructor
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 219
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville Florida
when I did mine I gently pushed the door closed with my body pressure on the door. Don't slam it shut just place the door in the closed position and press it shut. This will set the plunger at the right depth so the switch is closed and the plunger takes up the extra space between the switch and the door jam. I had no problem with my body weight against the door. The plunger is a very snug fit in the switch and you can't press it by hand ,you need the extra weight of the door and your body to slide it in. Les
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
Absolute POS-No Quality control. Got 2 from Ecklers, Got 2 from Chevy,on all of them the female receptacle was about half size of the male plug.Chevy guy says-yep, right part, probably a bad batch-what BS.
