Door Ajar Switch

[George C.]

I am changing my door ajar switches on my 1970 Corvette and I found one of the riveted mounting plates has come loose on the inside of the door sill. The took the rear wheel well cover off and I can get my finger inside the hole and feel the mounting plate turn. I also understand the inside door ajar mounting plate has to be grounded to the frame.

Has anyone else had this problem and how did they fix it? Does the ignition switch have to be on for the door ajar light to work?

Thanks,
George

[Terry M.]

Re: Door Ajar Switch

I am changing my door ajar switches on my 1970 Corvette and I found one of the riveted mounting plates has come loose on the inside of the door sill. The took the rear wheel well cover off and I can get my finger inside the hole and feel the mounting plate turn. I also understand the inside door ajar mounting plate has to be grounded to the frame.

Has anyone else had this problem and how did they fix it? Does the ignition switch have to be on for the door ajar light to work?

Thanks,
George

No personal experince, thankfully, but I have seen a post about this issue on this forum. I can tell you the ignition switch has to be on for the door adjar to work.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Door Ajar Switch

To remove the plate you need to enlarge the round hole. After it is restored I use a clothes line rope with a knot in the middle. Feed the rope, plate, and knot thru then hold the plate tight with the rope and install new rivets. I think 70's had no ground wire as they had 3 wire switches one of which was the ground. Two wire switches need a ground. Late 73 and newer.

[Paul O.]

Re: Door Ajar Switch

George

The first item on your list if it has not been completed is to remove the 2 rivets that hold the plate in place. That can be an issue as with no load on them they will spin if drilling them out. One they are removed I was able to get the plate in position with a small 90 deg pliers and line up the plate. Since I worked in aviation I used Cleco fasteners to hold the plate it in place. Then riveted them with correct pop rivets. If you have a friend or someone who works in sheet metal fabrication and or aviation you may be able to borrow this tool. Here are what they look like.