rear door switch repair

[Devil's Slide Doug]

OK, I am new and this is an old topic. I still have not been able to find a definitive thread as to why these switches fail.
I ripped mine apart and clearly you have copper (spring contacts) that need a good connection with a steel (dissimilar metal will corrode) tab that is part of the switch base. So yes cut off the three plastic "rivets" and scrub the steel tab with sand paper (along with all the copper parts). Adjust the springy contacts by bending them outwards and reassemble. Rear door lights work again and the switch is "modded" (plastic "rivets" removed) for the next time service is needed. BTW don't bother disconnecting the wire, I did it with wiring attached.

 

[Rookie2]

What problem were you having, and are you saying this has fixed it?

My RR door lock has gotten very sluggish, and will not typically unlock from the remote, or door switch.


Rookie2

 

[Devil's Slide Doug]

Oops, forgot to mention the problem. Light switch for rear doors did not work.

 

[mudking82]

I still have not been able to find a definitive thread as to why these switches fail. I ripped mine apart and clearly you have copper (spring contacts) that need a good connection with a steel (dissimilar metal will corrode) tab that is part of the switch base. So yes cut off the three plastic "rivets" and scrub the steel tab with sand paper (along with all the copper parts). Adjust the springy contacts by bending them outwards and reassemble. Rear door lights work again and the switch is "modded" (plastic "rivets" removed) for the next time service is needed.

What switch exactly are you referring to? Perhaps this is my problem also, as the dome lights do turn on when I open the rear hatch, but they are dim, like a corroded connection/bad ground etc. So what exactly did you take apart and clean? Thanks

 

[Brian894X4]

Interesting, this must be a common problem, because my rear driver's side door doesn't always turn the dome light on either. If I giggle the switch it comes on.

 

[Devil's Slide Doug]

Ha Ha Ha, have not tried giggling it yet.

 

[Letsgomoreplaces]

common

both my 80's did this too.

 

[TX_TLC]

I cleaned mine a couple times only to have them last shorter and shorter each time, so I finally broke down and ordered them new from CDan. Very inexpensive and should have just bought new ones the first time.

 

[IronYuppy]

I cleaned mine a couple times only to have them last shorter and shorter each time, so I finally broke down and ordered them new from CDan. Very inexpensive and should have just bought new ones the first time.

x3 I had three that didn't word consistently. One just failed in the middle of the day, without anyone near it. I know this because the alarm went off when it received the signal from the right rear door switch. Replaced all the door switches when I added George's LEDs. 1/4 job. It's so easy Toyota will actually give you a banana when you buy the switches.

 

[Rookie2]

So is it a complete new switch or just contacts (pieces and parts) that you're replacing new?

 

[TX_TLC]

It is a whole new switch you hook up the wire and bolt on. And you're done.

 

[richj11]

Read door switch bought from CDan

 

[Rookie2]

Sorry to beat a dead horse here, but are you all saying replacing this switch should correct a door power lock/unlock issue, or the dome light not coming on with the rear doors open issue... or both? I've got both.

Thanks,
Rookie2

 

[richj11]

Sorry to beat a dead horse here, but are you all saying replacing this switch should correct a door power lock/unlock issue, or the dome light not coming on with the rear doors open issue... or both? I've got both.

Thanks,
Rookie2

This will just fix the dome light not coming on. Some have successfully taken the switch apart, but for the price of a new one, It was just easier to replace it.

 

[Rookie2]

This will just fix the dome light not coming on. Some have successfully taken the switch apart, but for the price of a new one, It was just easier to replace it.

Okay. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[wussyPup]

Ha Ha Ha, have not tried giggling it yet.

OK, somebody has been giggling my switch on me...

I've had the cruiser for 2 years and the rear door switches have never worked, until...

Came home the other night: open front door, step out, open rear door, click the power lock button, close front door and the dome light stayed on - I thought I must have left the front door ajar, but no, all of a sudden the rear door switch is working... yahoo!

So, thanks to whoever giggled my switch, and please, will you giggle the "D" lamp too.