Door switch...

Post Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:38 pm

Just a quickie - one of the door/light switches on my touring (rear o/s door) isn't working...

Do these just pop out with a bit of leverage???
Is there a knack to it???

Post Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:41 pm

Cross head screw driver to undo the screw then it pulls outs.

Cant remember with the touring but check the door isn't missing the spacer bunge that fits to the door. This is what creates the contact between the door and the switch and if its missing, it wont work, and it wont turn the lights out either...

Post Wed Dec 11, 2013 3:28 pm

Screw??? Didn't even see that!!! Must look in the daylight!!!
I'll have a look for the bung, but suspect it's just a dead switch, or the lights would be on the whole time!!!

Post Wed Dec 11, 2013 3:53 pm

Just as a picture reference...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E30-Genui ... 3f27d6f2e3

Post Wed Dec 11, 2013 5:49 pm

Probably corrosion - try cleaning it with fine wet & dry paper or similar.

Post Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:38 pm

Nice one - cheers!!!

Post Wed Dec 11, 2013 8:17 pm

Switch is stainless steel, so doesn't corrode to any degree. What does happen is that a small sliver of black plastic forms under the switch contact point as a result of the scraping action as the switch is worked. Trim the sliver of plastic off with a craft knife.

Post Thu Dec 12, 2013 4:38 pm

Ok, so the door switch came off today, looked ok, gave it a little clean up anyway, messed around with it a bit, plugged it back in - still nothing!!!
put it back in place to screw it back in and got a spark!!!!!!
I'm now assuming this earth's on the door frame/body???

My switch isn't like the one in the ebay link above - it only has one terminal/connection!!!
Otherwise I'd have swapped it for one on the cabby scrapper I have here!!! (Although I forgot to check the boot one!?!?!?)

It now works occasionally, as opposed to never!!!

Anymore tips, or a new switch required???

Post Thu Dec 12, 2013 9:51 pm

This looks like the one....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E30-Genui ... 3f27d6f2aa

Any more suggestions before I buy a new switch???

Post Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:08 pm

miniblob wrote:Ok, so the door switch came off today, looked ok, gave it a little clean up anyway...

It now works occasionally, as opposed to never!!!
Anymore tips, or a new switch required???

Yes, they earth through the door. Try cleaning it and lubricating with WD40 or similar, and work it in and out a few times. Also clean the mounting on the door, and the cable terminal to it.

What state are the door hinges in? If they have worn hinge pins or are rusty, that may be preventing the door from earthing consistently.

Post Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:12 pm

Rear door switches have only one contact. Front doors have two identical contacts - the second contact is to switch the relay that allows you to operate the windows and roof with the ignition off, when a door is open.
The spark you saw is a good indicator that the rest of the circuit is OK, and that the problem is with the switch, but the construction is so simple that as long as it hasn't fallen apart it should be easily fixable.
Did you look for a shard of plastic between the contacts?
The switch in the ebay ad. is probably more expensive than a new one from BMW. (61 31 1 368 430)

Post Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:20 pm

Speedtouch wrote: What state are the door hinges in? If they have worn hinge pins or are rusty, that may be preventing the door from earthing consistently.

Switch is mounted on the main body, not the door, so the state of the hinges is irrelevant. Only thing that goes wrong with the door is that the plastic button that pushes the switch pin in can go missing, resulting in the light staying on.

Post Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:32 pm

Couldn't see any plastic between the contacts, etc... all looked good to my untrained eye!!!
Had the rubber surround/seal off, played around with it, all looked good!!!

Might check the price with BMW then - only benefit with the ebay one is it should be with me on tuesday when I return from my weekend trip!!!

Looking on both of the rear doors - neither have, or look like they have ever had a plastic button to push the pin in!!! It appears they just press in on the door itself - resulting in the paintwork being marked!!!
Am I missing a piece???

Post Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:14 pm

The one on eBay is mine. But hold out. If someone can help you figure out what the issue is before hand you might not need to replace it.

If you do go for it. As long as its paid for before 12 noon tomorrow it will be posted tomorrow afternoon