Easy Question for 911 owners with a modicum of mechanical ability (i.e., not moi)

jschauer · 04-28-2008, 10:03 PM

So my 98 Carrera gets daily use but I find I have to leave the interior dome lights in the off positiion because if in middle position (so they come on when you open a door), they either: 1) stay on; or 2) flicker on and off as I drive; or 3) stay off when I close the door but when I go check my baby I see they have been on for hours.

I know the little rubber covered switch is at the front of where the door hits the main body.

Question -- how can I lube under the rubber cover or do something so I can properly use my interior lights?

Thanks all!!

Jason in Seattle

slodave · slodave's Garage

Eh, confused. Your sig shows a 87 Carrera, but you talk about a 98? Hit the wrong keys on the ol' keyboard?

You should be able to take the rubber cover off. Mine wore out years ago and I have never replaced them.

Dave

jschauer · 04-28-2008, 10:23 PM

[QUOTE=slodave;3913681]Eh, confused. Your sig shows a 87 Carrera, but you talk about a 98? Hit the wrong keys on the ol' keyboard?

You guessed it.

Aside from pointing out I refernced my car incorrectly (of course the parts are idntical on the 87-88 911s), do you have anything positive to offer?

slodave · slodave's Garage

I thought I did with my third sentence. Take a small flat head screw driver and gently pry them off. From there, you should be able to squirt the lube of your choice.

slodave · slodave's Garage

jschauer · 04-28-2008, 10:34 PM

oh cheers. But won't I need to get them back glued on or something or does the little swtch thingy look fine and tiny after removal? Am I at risk of scratching paint? I suspect even I can do this with little hassle.

Thanks.

slodave · slodave's Garage

It depends on the condition of the boots. Besides being torn, if you look closely, you can see cracks in the rubber. Living in SoCal, I am not worried about replacing them. Put a piece of thin cardboard between the door and screwdriver.

Here is the link to the part on PP:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/PEL_search.cgi?command=show_part_page&please_wait=N&make=POR&model=911M&section=INTpnl&page=5&bookmark=18&part_number=901-615-616-20-M260

Dave

jschauer · 04-28-2008, 10:43 PM

Thanks for the photo but do you drive without the rubber piece now or should I re-glue it on aftrt ljubig the internals? Thanks much

Jason

jschauer · 04-28-2008, 10:45 PM

Thanksbut I live in rainy Seattle. May needto lube thn add new ones. I'll ask my mechanic for the gasgets ang glue then do it one day myself at his shop.

slodave · slodave's Garage

Yes, since you are in Seattle, you should probably replace them. No glue required, they slip over a lip. If you get new ones, you don't need the screwdriver, just tear them off! You'll see how it goes together. It'll take two seconds per side, to install new ones.

Dave

jschauer · 04-28-2008, 10:51 PM

Dave you are a gentleman and a scholar.

Thanks and cheers to you bro.

Jason

slodave · slodave's Garage

You are welcome, Jason. I have not had problems with my switches and have never tried to take them out, but once the boots are off, you may want to try a get a little contact cleaner in there first. Sounds like there is some oxidation inside the switch - makes sense, since you are up North.

Dave

rusnak · 04-28-2008, 11:24 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if your wire is coming or has come loose from the switch, and is contacting the door post. I have not heard of interior lights that come on when the door is closed.

I would recommend taking the switch out to check it, but believe it or not this is tricky and maybe you should just remove the fuse for now, and wait on it. The reason I say removing the switch is difficult is that you HAVE to hold the black plastic plunger while you turn the aluminum base. Otherwise you will twist off the electrical wire and you'll have a hell of a time trying to retrieve it back out through the door post.

On the black rubber boots, I use a dab of synthetic grease on the inside of the boot. I put the grease on when I change the switch boots. This keeps the switch from sticking, important because I actually use my factory alarm due to auto thefts in California.

dshepp806 · dshepp806's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusnak

I wouldn't be surprised if your wire is coming or has come loose from the switch, and is contacting the door post. I have not heard of interior lights that come on when the door is closed.

I would recommend taking the switch out to check it, but believe it or not this is tricky and maybe you should just remove the fuse for now, and wait on it. The reason I say removing the switch is difficult is that you HAVE to hold the black plastic plunger while you turn the aluminum base. Otherwise you will twist off the electrical wire and you'll have a hell of a time trying to retrieve it back out through the door post.

On the black rubber boots, I use a dab of synthetic grease on the inside of the boot. I put the grease on when I change the switch boots. This keeps the switch from sticking, important because I actually use my factory alarm due to auto thefts in California.

+1 on Rusnak's post.

It is a ***** if she drops into the door...

I, too, make use of the factory alarm...door switches were the very first parts I installed on my '89 (when I bought her). Not too expensive just to put fresh switch bodies in there.

Best,