Labeling window switch wiring

[tmadden2]

After years of squinting into the rubber switch boot to see 1/8” of exposed wire, and then consulting a text file on my phone about which striped wire goes to which terminal on which switch, I finally just labeled them all with different colored electrical tape. One piece around each wire and a small matching piece on the switch next to each terminal. It really speeds up the door reassembly process.

Since doing this, one switch has already died and been replaced. I moved the little tape pieces over one at a time as I switched the wires over to the new switch and it’s back to good as new again.

[JacobS911]

smart move sir! I had to wire mine in using a diagram when I got my car since they were removed by the prior owner. I should take note of this next time I have to remove the door card!

[speedracer92]

What a great idea! I am in the middle of that right now and struggling to remember which wire goes where. What a pain. Thanks for the tip.

Side question - how do you remove the square bracket off the switch - require depressing the metal straps that on top and bottom?

[tmadden2]

Originally Posted by speedracer92

Side question - how do you remove the square bracket off the switch - require depressing the metal straps that on top and bottom?

I don’t know if mine are especially forgiving or what, but I don’t depress the top or bottom portions. I just use a nylon trim removal tool to pry between the edge of the switch and the door card and they lever out with very little effort.

[86 911 Targa]

^^^^^
For our M/Y 86

Here ya go..........

Best,

Gerry

Also: If the switch function is inverted,
just swap out the two wires on the center posts (1&2).

[997at]

I found it easy to just pull the switch and wiring out an inch or so and take a photo on the phone.
Makes the reconnect easy.

[Noah930]

I wasn't as fancy (or well-prepared) as the OP. I only had black electrical tape, blue painter's tape, and yellow-ish masking tape to accomplish the task. Don't recall if I used scotch tape as well. Wound up sticking a different piece of tape on each connection, and drew up a map of what went where.

[dyount]

I used a white paint pen and labeled clockwise on both the connector and tab

[speedracer92]

Thanks. I got them out of the door panel - I meant does the square frame on the outside the switch itself come off so just the rocker part is left or is it all one piece?

Originally Posted by tmadden2

I don’t know if mine are especially forgiving or what, but I don’t depress the top or bottom portions. I just use a nylon trim removal tool to pry between the edge of the switch and the door card and they lever out with very little effort.

[speedracer92]

On my switches, the wires aren't long-enough for some reason (wondering if POs had to rewire or smething) and so I can't pull the switch out far enough to take pics. They come off almost immediately when pulling out of the cavity.

Originally Posted by 997at

I found it easy to just pull the switch and wiring out an inch or so and take a photo on the phone.
Makes the reconnect easy.

[tmadden2]

Originally Posted by speedracer92

Thanks. I got them out of the door panel - I meant does the square frame on the outside the switch itself come off so just the rocker part is left or is it all one piece?

I’ve never split the switch apart into a plastic part and a metal part. I’m pretty sure it’s one piece. There’s is second piece that attaches to the door cards that serves as a frame for the switch. That piece stays there.

[speedracer92]

Originally Posted by tmadden2

I’ve never split the switch apart into a plastic part and a metal part. I’m pretty sure it’s one piece. There’s is second piece that attaches to the door cards that serves as a frame for the switch. That piece stays there.

Gotcha. The piece I am referring to is circled in red here and then the clips that I was thinking would be depressed are in Blue. Maybe your statement is still true, but was curious...

[Koizumi]

The wiring is purposely too short.

I know this for a fact.

I can hear West German laughter in the background when I try to take pics of what goes where.

[Snitzler]

Originally Posted by Koizumi

The wiring is purposely too short.

I know this for a fact.

I can hear West German laughter in the background when I try to take pics of what goes where.

Absolutely agree!

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by speedracer92

This whole thing comes as one piece. The red circled part is attached to the blue circled part when it comes out of the box you get from Pelican. I've never tried to dismantle it any further. Just pop one switch out, and plug in the replacement.

[Noah930]

Fresh from the box. One piece.

[speedracer92]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Fresh from the box. One piece.

Good to know, thanks for confirming.

[famoroso]

Someone (Rennline?) should make a Molex type connector for use with the window switches. I doubt there’s even space for them behind the switches, but it would be nice.

[speedracer92]

Originally Posted by famoroso

Someone (Rennline?) should make a Molex type connector for use with the window switches. I doubt there’s even space for them behind the switches, but it would be nice.

Agreed. I think there is enough room if they could be efficient on the design or even re=design the back of the switch somehow...