Ground wire location.......

[boyt911sc]

I've been sorting the ground connection/s of the door switches for the interior light ('87 Carrera). The interior light gets power but the two (2) door switches do not supply ground contact when you open the door/s. Test showed that brown/white at the courtesy light has no ground contact (see picture).

Could someone direct me where to locate ground wire for the door switches located? The luggage compartment light has no ground too. Any tip, suggestion, or advise is very much appreciated. BTW, I got the car 4 weeks ago and haven't had the chance to clean and wax it. Sorry for the untidy appearance. Thanks.



Tony

[bfunke]

These switches are grounded through the metal of the A pillar. They are prone to corrosion and intermittent or no contact however. I had a similar issue and fixed it by carefully removing the switches and cleaning the contacts with electrical contact cleaner and bit of fine emery cloth. Recommend you put a dab of dielectric grease on the the contacts and reinstall. If you are unable to get the switch working you can buy replacement either at our host or Will at CSP. Recommend you also purchase the rubber tits that protect the switch from moisture.

Bryan

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by bfunke

These switches are grounded through the metal of the A pillar. They are prone to corrosion and intermittent or no contact however. I had a similar issue and fixed it by carefully removing the switches and cleaning the contacts with electrical contact cleaner and bit of fine emery cloth. Recommend you put a dab of dielectric grease on the the contacts and reinstall. If you are unable to get the switch working you can buy replacement either at our host or Will at CSP. Recommend you also purchase the rubber tits that protect the switch from moisture.

Bryan

Bryan,

The two (2) door switches are good. The problem is that these switches lost their ground contact. So I'm struggling to find or locate where the brown/white is grounded. It could be under the dash or in the trunk or could be somewhere. Any lead or tip to trace the wire/s would be very helpful. It would save me a lot of time and aggravation searching where the end of the brown/white wire/s terminate. Thanks.

Tony

[crustychief]

The door switches and trunk light ground directly to the body. I would definitely get a Bentley manual from our host if you want to save time and heartache ( if you do not already have one). Here is an excerpt..

[Jim75911S]

On my 75 the passenger side switch ground was connected to several other grounds in the trunk. The main ground wire then ran to a terminal block of other grounds connected directly to the dash frame metal behind the vent control sliders.
Correction I believe that wire went to the light over the glove box door. HTH Jim

[pete3799]

Tony
Are you saying that when you remove the door switch and ground the wire directly to the door pillar there's no ground at the light?

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by pete3799

Tony
Are you saying that when you remove the door switch and ground the wire directly to the door pillar there's no ground at the light?

Pete,

If I temporarily supply ground contact to the door switch, the courtesy (interior) light comes ON. So the test shows that the other line going to the chassis is not grounded or came loose. Tracing these ground wires through the firewall is not that easy or convenient but has to be done eventually. Thanks.

Tony

[pete3799]

You have removed the rubber cover, unscrewed the switch and grounded the wire going into the switch? If so and the light works the switch needs to be cleaned......also the rubber cover gets stiff (old age) and will prevent the plunger from extending far enough to make the ground connection.