checkmate1996

Is there any way to "rebuild" a window switch or am I buying a new one?

Greg86andahalf

If you search the archives, it has been discussed before. Short answer is yes, you can take them apart and clean them up. If you are unsuccessful finding the info in the archives (is was just discussed here a few days ago) then post and I'll try and recall for you what I did to mine.

Greg

Greg86andahalf

Hay Brad,

I did a search and had trouble finding it so here is what I can tell you:

The best way to repair rhe switch is to remove it and it's harness from the car. Get a plastic bag like a sandwich bag (I use one of THE MANY Porsche parts bags which I have collected.) Put the switch in the bag when you take it apart. The bag will keep the *****, springs, or blades from taking flight and being lost. Once you gently remove the plastic switch cap, you can remove and clean the internal parts of the switch. Clean the contacts, re-assemble with lubricant. One of my blade switches did not quite have the contact reach it needed and I moved the contact up a skosh (sic).

If you really don't want to remove the switch and harness completely, you can do it with the switch installed if you disconnect the battery, pop the switch cover carefully and hope that the parts don't fly. Mine did but I found them. You will barely have enough harness to pull the swithces up and work on them so don't yank on the harness.

It is much easier to remove the switch and use the bag.

Greg

iantdopps

The PO messed mine up too. I tried to rebuild it, and it works fine, but ever so often it shorts out and blows the fuse. Did you say there were ***** and springs in them? I founf2 little metal ***** rolling around inside the console.....the PO really goofed it up.

Andre Roodnat

I did mine some time ago. They are switches from a euro ’89 S4. There was a little bit of smoke coming out each time I used them. The right window even didn't work. I removed the passenger console cover en pressed out the switches. Mine are all soldered. I sketched the wire positions first and soldered them loose. I took em inside en put them on a white cloth, so I could see any springs etc. falling out. In mine there are just small “plates” of springmetall, bending to one side or another. No ***** or springs. The contacts were completely black and corroded. I had some other switches with pretty similar contacts. They can be found in almost any switch. I decided to drill the old ones out with a small drill from the backside of the brackets. Take out the springmetall plates very carefully. When you bent them, they won’t switch anymore. I took out the contacts from the new switch. I put them in a small drill head and filed while -rotating the contact- until the back was narrow enough to fit the drilled hole of the interior switch. Take a break once in a while, because it’s feeling like you’re trying to put a thread in a needle for about 2 hours. I put the new ones in and secured them a centerpons (ehhh…. the pointy tool and the hammer, to make a small point before drilling), and soldered tha back. Re-assemble and voila, works like a charm.

checkmate1996

The reason for the post was because I took off the switch cap and of course all the little springs and contacts flew off. However, I made the mistake of putting one of the contacts in backwards which caused some sparks and some smoke(yes, I forgot to unplug the connector) and voila the switch appears not to be working. I tried the other switch and the window works, so I know it's the switch. Hence, can you fry a switch?

Thanks for all the input so far.

Greg86andahalf

Brad,

Thanks for the honesty.

You CAN burn the contacts. That would stop it from working. So, it could still be a matter of cleaning (light filing) the contacts again and making sure things are put back properly. I would test the switch with a ohmmeter before connecting it to the car. You can disconnect the switch without removing it by pulling the passenger console side panel. you will see the window switch connectors sort of behind the radio. Red, yellow, green (I think, I can tell you exactly when I get home later) Anyhow, pull the connectors at that point.

Did you find all of the parts you lost?

Greg

checkmate1996

Greg,

Thanks for the your help. I have the whole center console removed since I was working on "cleaning" up things. Oh well! Yes, I can easily remove the connector since the console is off. In the process, of toasting of few things, I toasted one of my springs. I need to probably find a new spring as well. You mentioned light filing on the contacts. What would you recommend? Steel wool? Thanks Greg!

Donald

Greg-
Is the harness connection point accessible from the side of the console?
TIA
Donald

Greg86andahalf

On my 86, I just remove the carpeted side panel along the tunnel on the passenger side. That gives access to the plugs. The switches are soldered to long harnesses which connect to the car harness approx. behind the radio. You may fine a couple of wire ties holding the switch harness to other stuff as it passes the shifter towards the radio area. Good time to retrieve loose change and other stuff which makes it's way down there.

One note: if you remove the switch harness, be sure to follow the same path when re-installing it. It is possible for the switch wiring to bunch up and cause the automatic shifter cover plate to hit and bind especially if manually shifting to 2nd. There is really not that much room near the switch, the wiring must be routed properly.

Greg

red928s

I tried rebuilding the switches and found after the 4th time that it was becoming a pain. The tension in the blades goes and they don't work as well. I ordered new ones and the cost was worth it. The new ones are a different construction and have a far more positive action. Also the windows work all the time. It was worth the money. The change over of the two took about 45 minutes.

Cheers
RED928S (Downunder) <img src="graemlins/icon107.gif" border="0" alt="[icon107]" />

Greg86andahalf

another bonus to new switches is that the symbols on the old ones are often faded and new ones look better. I bought a set of used ones because the symbols on mine were worn all the way off. The used ones look better, but not perfect. I have the old ones as spares or I may sell cheap. Too bad you can't buy just the switch covers with the symbols on them.


Greg

John Struthers

Damned Aussie!
Just replace the bleedin' switch, e' sez!
Probably, from Perth! They have no work ethic up there... Just replaced the whole lot in under and hour, then just flops down on the beach with a chilly Foster's and leers at beautiful women for the rest of the day. <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" /> <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" /> What kind of life is that for a 928 owner, I ask you?
We are either stupid or into pain up here, Red.
Just to prove I'm a TRUE AMERICAN 928 operator...
While on my way to shARKANSAS for the first ever SITO event I found myself with plenty of time on my hands watching the shadows race by on my Porsche Design sundial. That's right! I was traveling (sic) on Interstate Highway 40.
Unfortunately, the AirForce, once again, had a few minor targeting error issues and the B-52's had, apparently, carpet bombed the road. An easily understood mistake. After all, there are three A's in Afganistan and three A's in Arkansas.
There were, honest to God, SPEED BUMPS on one of Ike Eisenhower's East to West dream roads.
While parked at one of the numerous O'Kie traffic jams I took to playing the harmonica -a first-, then wiping down the interior, and then the A/C expired. I experimented with peeing into a coke bottle - no comments Snow, I have the notarized Big hands, Big feet testimonials - and finally with the sunroof 3/4's opened (or 1/4 closed) and the merciless sun baking my brain bucket... my fingers delicately sought out the sunroof switch. Aces, just Aces!!! The damned thing had joined the recently departed A/C. ... just 500 miles to go.... I developed a sudden -renewed- interest in console switches.
I have both types, two of each. The blade type is easier to get functioning IMO. Those of you with a bag of unfamiliar looking parts...that little ball bearing sits atop the spring - for eqaul pressure I guess - . I had enough time to clean all of the switches - still no joy!
I, eventually, swapped switches, closed the sunroof then swapped the switches back. And still had 300 miles to go... . 928 ownership couldn't get any better than that...wanna bet? <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" /> John S and Pattycakes
BTW I still have switch parts in a ziplock, but I CAN with a bit of effort open and close the windows.

red928s

What other life is there? A shark and a beach and a "slab of cold ones". Heaven. <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" /> <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Jay Wellwood

For those with good window switches and faded indication pads, new stickers can be purchased from jaegger engineering - full set is $20.

FYI