Window Switch Replacment

[Mad Hunt]

The passenger window switch on the driver side door on my '83 SC Coupe does not work. I am pretty sure that the switch may be the problem as the passenger window works fine with the switch on the passenger side. I want to replace the suspect switch with a spare that I have. The problem is that I am unsure of how to remove the switch. I have been searching and reading and it sounds as if the switch can just be pulled out without removing the door card. Is this correct? Can someone please share detailed instruction for switch removal? I am concerned that I may damage something if I just try to pry the switch out.

[Starless]

That's about it from what I recall. I used a putty knife with some cardboard on the door panel to pry against so as not to scratch up the vinyl .

[dyerkes]

Juan is correct, the switch is just held in place by pressure, so just gently pry on the top and bottom repeatedly and it will come right out. Be forewarned, you either need to take photos of the position of what terminals each wire connects to, or write it down as there are approximately 5 wires and 5 terminals, and failure to reconnect the correct terminals will leave you with a non-functional switch. There are a lot of posts on this, so f you do get it wrong it isn't the end of the world.

Regards,
David

[MBAtarga]

Also - wiring is very short - which doesn't allow much room to make the switch. (Hah- no pun intended!)

[Jack Stands]

Be careful to note the position of the wires as they are short and difficult to always discern their color (due to aging of the wires). This would have been a great place for Porsche to have used a multi-pin connector rather than 6 individual wires attached to the switch.

[Mad Hunt]

Thanks for all of the replys. I will feel a little more confident now when I pry the switch out. Sounds like a good job for the nylon trim tools.

[Bill Douglas]

You may find it's just a case of one of the terminals (connectors) has fallen off or needs reseating.

[RSBob]

You may want to create a diagram of which color wires go to which spades, which you will no doubt use again. Also hemostats come in handy to keep the wires from disappearing into the black abyss. K

[pmax]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

Also - wiring is very short - which doesn't allow much room to make the switch. (Hah- no pun intended!)

Yes, be careful not to let the wires retract back into the door otherwise this could turn into a door disassembly project.

[JRSIII]

Make sure to disconnect your battery when doing this. Otherwise likely you'll blow a fuse when the wires touch when you've disconnected the switch.

[Dpmulvan]

[Dpmulvan]

[Mike Andrew]

Hemostat works quite well for sliding spades back on as it is tight for fingers with the short wires.

[MBAtarga]

Originally Posted by Mike Andrew

Hemostat works quite well for sliding spades back on as it is tight for fingers with the short wires.

That is a great tip!

[86 911 Targa]

^^^^^

Good luck,

Gerry

[Karter18]

I had the same issue four years ago when I purchased my car and sprayed the switch with contact cleaner and it has worked fine ever since.

[Mad Hunt]

Thanks again for all of the information. Hopefully next week I will have some time to tackle this project, now with a little more confidence.

[redstack]

What's the difference between the switches sold as right side and left side? Looking at the photos above the studs all appear the same.

[Porboynz]

They are the same