does anyone make a window switch that doesn't break?

[RazorRacer]

It seems that I am changing window switches on my SC every 6 months. Is there a window switch available that doesn't break?

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by RazorRacer
I am changing window switches on my SC every 6 months. Is their a window switch available that doesn't break?

never read or heard of a heavy duty elec window sw. I guess it's the same sw going kaput.. if not maybe the old ones were opened up and cleaned.. the R&R is kinda delicate, but should be idiot proof to most.

[david914]

What's breaking? I've got the same switches that have been on my car since I bought it nine years ago. Who knows how long they were on before that...

[PeteT]

Razor,
I agree on the POS switches! I recently replaced the passenger side and within a year it has broken. The driver side is twenty years old and works like a champ. I might try a good used one for the wrecking yard.

[kqw]

I have never heard of window switches breaking. What's breaking? Where are you getting the replacement switches from?

Is it a physical break or electrical malfunction?

[no substitute]

This is the the electric tab? Mine have 320,000+ miles on them--used daily. They've never failed.

[fred cook]

I have had the same problem on my 911. I had to replace the passenger window switch that is on the driver side door because one of the pivot pins had sheared off. Not too long after replacing the switch (6 months maybe) the same thing happened again. The other two switches (appear to be original to the car) are still working and actually have a better "feel" to their operation. I stongly suspect that the window switch quality took a nose dive in order to make them more cheaply.


Fred Cook
'80 911SC coupe

[RazorRacer]

Yes Fred, that's what keeps happening. The plastic inside of the thumb part keeps breaking. The case and copper parts are fine. Can the plastic switching part be rebuilt or purchased separately from the switch.

I guess I could always look for an original switch, too.

[Wil Ferch]

I thought some of the people making aluminum door pulls ..and such.. are also making aluminum switches??

--Wil

[n8marx]

Search the archives. There is a thread about this already where another Pelican rebuilt the switches usinga small nail instead of the plastic pivot pins. Works like a charm.

[no substitute]

Originally posted by fred cook
I have had the same problem on my 911. I had to replace the passenger window switch that is on the driver side door because one of the pivot pins had sheared off. Not too long after replacing the switch (6 months maybe) the same thing happened again. The other two switches (appear to be original to the car) are still working and actually have a better "feel" to their operation. I stongly suspect that the window switch quality took a nose dive in order to make them more cheaply.


Fred Cook
'80 911SC coupe

This is interesting, and sounds likely. Mine are original to the car, and look new even after the aforementioned miles. I guess I got the good ones.

[Par911]

The plastic inside of the thumb part keeps breaking

This happend to both my passenger and driver's side window switches within a week. IMO these switches are a POS!

[ewave]

I had the same problem. The switch lasted two days. Opened it up, and the small pivot of the switch has sheared off. My guess is that they used the wrong type of plastic when the parts were injection molded.

[Starless]

Same here, the new one lasted 6 months. It was the plastic tabs. I tried to take it apart but it just fell apart. If anybody can find the thread about rebuilding them I would really like to see it. BTW, I bought mine at the Porsche dealer. Never again, twice the price as at Pelican, but it was winter, window was down, and I was driving past a Porsche dealer. Think the car knew where I was?

[no substitute]

I'd be taking these back to the dealer, so they know how bad they are. Twenty-five years for the originals, versus a few months is absurd.

[ewave]

Here's the link to the otehr thread:
POS Windows switched died...and now passenger window doesnt roll up

[david914]

Originally posted by no substitute
I'd be taking these back to the dealer, so they know how bad they are. Twenty-five years for the originals, versus a few months is absurd.

DITTO!

[axl911]

I fixed mine by drilling a small 1mm hole and inserting a piece of metal cut from a wire hange .25 inch long to serve as the pivot pin.