73 Door Ajar Switches Problem/Suggestions?

[Jimmy P.]

I recently replaced both my door ajar switches on my 73. I purchased the switches from Zip. I also got the new mounting plates. I mounted the switches and screwed the ground wire to both plates in the mounting hole on the plate. 73 grounds to the plate. I did enlarge the small hole inside the rear area so it was easy to install and rivet the switches in place. I also installed the rubber pads on the doors because there was residue (black adhesive) on my doors where the originals once were. My jams are still original they have never been repainted. After install got in the car started it, tried the doors and the ajar light on dash worked perfectly. Worked fine the next few times I tried it. Couple days later got in the car, started it up and the light now stays on.
Any thoughts on what happened?
thanks

[Terry M.]

Re: 73 Door Ajar Switches Problem/Suggestions?

I recently replaced both my door ajar switches on my 73. I purchased the switches from Zip. I also got the new mounting plates. I mounted the switches and screwed the ground wire to both plates in the mounting hole on the plate. 73 grounds to the plate. I did enlarge the small hole inside the rear area so it was easy to install and rivet the switches in place. I also installed the rubber pads on the doors because there was residue (black adhesive) on my doors where the originals once were. My jams are still original they have never been repainted. After install got in the car started it, tried the doors and the ajar light on dash worked perfectly. Worked fine the next few times I tried it. Couple days later got in the car, started it up and the light now stays on.
Any thoughts on what happened?
thanks

Be sure both pads are still there. Is there a dent in either of the pads as if the switch pushed into the pad?

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 73 Door Ajar Switches Problem/Suggestions?

Terry,
Yes both pads are still there, I did check to see if there was any major indentations, but didn't see any. I'm going to take the access panels off, to see if any of the wires came loose, or are touching. If I engage the alarm with doors and hood closed, the alarm sounded. The alarm switches I have are the ones where the wires slide on with the flat connectors and there is a plastic strip between the two wires. Hopefully someone had a similar problem and found a solution.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 73 Door Ajar Switches Problem/Suggestions?

The alarm should sound if the door ajar light is on. Loosen the switch and push the plunger till the light goes out. It is common for them to work and then fail as they get used.Your problem is with the switch I think.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 73 Door Ajar Switches Problem/Suggestions?

Thanks Lyle,
The alarm is sounding as it should. When I tightened the switches into the mounting I tightened them all the way down with no threads showing. I will try loosening them to move them out further. I guess I'll need to take access plate off to hold the wires from spinning hope it works!

[Steve G.]

Re: 73 Door Ajar Switches Problem/Suggestions?

Push the switch in with your finger. Does the light go off? You may have to get someone to hold the opposite side button in while you do this to both sides. Confirm they both do what they're supposed to when operated manually.

If they do, the switches are not installed properly. They are a tapered thread (like a pipe thread) which causes them to bind and allows adjustment. Once you have determined which side is causing the problem, adjust it out until the light goes off. If they are both causing a problem adjust one while someone else holds the other one in.

I've never seen them threaded in so far that there are no threads visible.
Steve

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 73 Door Ajar Switches Problem/Suggestions?

Steve,
I screwed the switches in the new backing plates before riveting. I held the plate in a vice and screwed in the switches until they were tight not knowing any better. ( never did this before)! Thought that was what needed done, since both of my originals were non-existent I had nothing to compare anything to. I used my Dremel tool with a cutting wheel to enlarge the hole so the plates went through easily. Attached the wires, held it in place then pop riveted in place. Thanks for your help.
Jim

[Steve G.]

Re: 73 Door Ajar Switches Problem/Suggestions?

Steve,
I screwed the switches in the new backing plates before riveting. I held the plate in a vice and screwed in the switches until they were tight not knowing any better. ( never did this before)! Thought that was what needed done, since both of my originals were non-existent I had nothing to compare anything to. I used my Dremel tool with a cutting wheel to enlarge the hole so the plates went through easily. Attached the wires, held it in place then pop riveted in place. Thanks for your help.
Jim

That's how we learn, by doing.

You don't need to do anything with the wires to adjust the switches. They attach to the centre pin, which will rotate in the body of the switch. So to adjust hold the centre pin from turning while you thread out the body with an open end wrench.
Steve

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 73 Door Ajar Switches Problem/Suggestions?

Problem solved. Switches were fine. One of the wires on the right side switch came loose. Shouldn't happen again.
thanks for everyone's suggestions and help.