Stupid door Switch!! $3 Fix!!!

[david_594]

Can't say I want that. Someday my key is going to be inside the car when it locks.

If its possible your car would lock your keys inside it, then something isnt working right with your car.

With the locking system running properly, its pretty much impossible to lock your keys inside.

 

[mk3]

Wow...took me two nights to read this whole thread! My problems seems a bit different than most on this thread. ...

The door switches will always fail after some time (my opinion of course)

I think you have a door switch that is only intermittently not working.

The design is bad. It has a little plastic nub on the plastic cam. These materials are similar in hardness to each other but the little button on the switch seems to win.. and over time it digs a trench into the cam and eventually breaks.

I have already fixed the drives side door (new module) and now I just bought a new switch for the passenger side; about 2 years later. While I was waiting for the switch to arrive in the mail, I discovered that my other car; 2001 Passat has a failed passenger side switch but I have not confirmed that the design is exactly the same.

so that's 3 bad switches out of four front doors on my cars... excluding the B4 which has entirely different designs.

 

[Tommy the diesel rat]

Replaced the driver's side door switch assembly a few weeks back.

Thanks to all the instructions here, and over at Vortex I did the job myself. I'm not all that mechanically patient but took the time to save myself the $200+ labour cost to have the dealer do it. Took me 2 hours start to finish, not that bad of a job (thanks to all the advice and photos (over at Vortex). Got a deal on the switch through a friend (10% over dealer cost).

Cheers...

 

[KeefHenderson]

Thank you for this thread.

I think i'm suffering the same problems now, as my drivers door is no longer co-ordinating with any of the others. But the main problem is the fact that the door is always 'open' when clearly not!! Thus setting of the alarm and constantly beeping at me!!

What I don't get in my car is when I close the door, the lights go out after a while. Surely that switch determines this?

The other question I have is - where do I get one of those sealed switches listed on allied electronics in the UK?

Many thanks.

 

[stevneil]

16 month followup report on door switch spray cleaner fix

Well, about 16 months have passed since I first tried wingnut's technique of using just a spray cleaner without disassembling anything.

I am happy to report that on the two Mk4 Jetta's I used the spray on, the driver door switches are working perfect and have not needed an additional cleaning.

Hope your experience is as good.

Jan 11, 2010
I concur (again) with wingnut's very practical solutions. Using the spray cleaner method, I have fixed several Mk4 door switches now, and they have been working fine for months.

I have one improvement I can offer. In the picture showing the spray cleaner can, the latch catch is in the door open position. If you rotate it up to the latched position, it gives a much better view and opportunity to direct the spray cleaner.

And just remember to pull the outside door handle and the latch will drop back down to the normal position before closing the door.

I call this the 3 cent, 3 minute fix (play on $3 - 3 hour fix).

Hope it works for you.

 

[Ricosuave]

dumb question, but I've got a similar, if not opposite problem:

when I use the fob to activate the alarm on my 2003 wagon, if I have any one of three of the four doors/hatch open, the alarm will still honk and activate.

on my 2000 golf, when I try that with either door or the hatch open, it will lock the doors that are closed, but wont honk and activate until the last door/hatch is closed.

so, I'm seeing the opposite of what a bunch of you are getting.

any thoughts?

 

[jcilforever]

dumb question, but I've got a similar, if not opposite problem:

when I use the fob to activate the alarm on my 2003 wagon, if I have any one of three of the four doors/hatch open, the alarm will still honk and activate.

on my 2000 golf, when I try that with either door or the hatch open, it will lock the doors that are closed, but wont honk and activate until the last door/hatch is closed.

so, I'm seeing the opposite of what a bunch of you are getting.

any thoughts?

Sounds like you should isolate the door switch and try the spray technique.

 

[kiva822]

so, i read many different spray materials...what's the consensus? I've heard

Electric contact cleaner
Electric *parts* cleaner (more harsh, i think)
Brake Cleaner
Seafoam (or whatever that is...somebody will have to elaborate).

What works best? We're talking at least 1/2 a can, right?

 

[truman]

so, i read many different spray materials...what's the consensus? I've heard

Electric contact cleaner
Electric *parts* cleaner (more harsh, i think)
Brake Cleaner
Seafoam (or whatever that is...somebody will have to elaborate).

What works best? We're talking at least 1/2 a can, right?

Which side are you having a problem with Matt? I replaced the driver side with the RS micro switch about 4yrs ago through the door jam. There is a a removable cover slip covering the access hole. From there it's about a 30 minute job to replace. The passenger side is original- try about a 1/2 can of the spray of your choice for starters. It's annoying when that cheap little switch craps out. Best wishes- Dave
I almost forgot- you have 2 rides to maintain now.

 

[kiva822]

Hey Dave!

Actually, this is the passenger one on the sedan. I just did the driver one on the sedan with Matt98-AHU (read: he did it and i watched and learned).

On the wagon, the car sometimes doesn't honk when I lock it. I was told to try spraying the stuff in and seeing what happens but, in general, not to worry about it.

Hope you're well.

matt

Which side are you having a problem with Matt? I replaced the driver side with the RS micro switch about 4yrs ago through the door jam. There is a a removable cover slip covering the access hole. From there it's about a 30 minute job to replace. The passenger side is original- try about a 1/2 can of the spray of your choice for starters. It's annoying when that cheap little switch craps out. Best wishes- Dave
I almost forgot- you have 2 rides to maintain now.

 

[dkuster]

I would like to thank you very much for putting together this PDF!!

My door switch stopped working about a month ago, with the car thinking the driver's side door was always closed. Parking in a dark garage at night and not having the interior lights come after opening the door was an annoyance. Very nearly draining the battery because my headlights were on at work all day because the alarm didn't sound when I turned off the motor and opened the door was much worse.

I took my time, followed your instructions, replaced my broken switch with the Burgess from Allied Electronics, put it all back together and everything now works as it should.

Great job! This saved me a ton of cash.

Please provide feedback on this PDF: necessary? useful? waste of my time? If it's helping people, make recommendations and I'll continue to refine this.

As it says in the document, the switch is available from Allied electronics.

Converted to PDF, uploaded to the club's servers: Click on the switch thumbnail below, log in to the photo server (creating a new tab in your browser will be convenient), again click on this thumbnail in this post, then click on the thumbnail again located over "MKIV Door Switch/Lock Module R&R, 1.0" and a 1.1 MB PDF should download.

 

[sps]

so, i read many different spray materials...what's the consensus? I've heard

Electric contact cleaner
Electric *parts* cleaner (more harsh, i think)
Brake Cleaner
Seafoam (or whatever that is...somebody will have to elaborate).

What works best? We're talking at least 1/2 a can, right?

i have similar issues with my car here in england u.k.
the passenger side door has issues such as the central locking pop up pin in the door will not lock whenone locks the car from the inside of the car using the lock button which locks all four doors,also the door puddle light will not come on when the door is open and finally,the car does not alarm does not appear to recognise thta the passenger door is open and will sound even if one opens the door using the remote.

so my question is does one use WD 40 spray which is silicone free but has petroleum based distllates? or SERVISOL 170A spray Electronic cleaning solvent which contains isopropyl alcohol?

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

I've replaced both driver side door switches in my Jetta and Golf with the Radio Shack switch. Now, about a year after installing it, the one in my Jetta is acting up and I want to replace it. Since this thread was started has any better quality replacement switch appeared?

Thanks.

 

[david_594]

Yeah, look earlier in the thread. People reference a like $14 switch you can get from Mouser or other electronic supplies that is closer to the original and more water resistant.

 

[kiva822]

I've replaced both driver side door switches in my Jetta and Golf with the Radio Shack switch. Now, about a year after installing it, the one in my Jetta is acting up and I want to replace it. Since this thread was started has any better quality replacement switch appeared?

Thanks.

search for "burgess" switch

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

Can someone please give me a link to a supplier who can sell me a Burgess V4NST7UL switch?

 

[RaysirX]

http://www.newark.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=48M4426&CMP=AFC-OP&CMP=AFC-OP
$6

 

[kiva822]

hmm....i don't think that's the right part number, is it?

I thought it was this one:

http://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=8040028

$6.62

 

[r72gsaol]

hmm....i don't think that's the right part number, is it?

I thought it was this one:

http://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=8040028

$6.62

That is the one I used. I've done two of them so far......

 

[jayb79]

Same switch, one with wires the other without.

 

[matteas]

Just completed the switch replacement. Personally this ranks as one of the more satisfying repairs I have done in a while. As always top notch information from this forum made the repair as easy as it could be.
Thanks to all! and a to vwsandman!

 

[V8Boatbuilder]

Forgive me if this has been covered, but is the Mk V (2006 Jetta) the same? My driver's door is not activating the dome light, door ajar, headlight warning, etc, etc.

 

[spooge1]

I had the same broken microswitch problem with my 2000 GTI and my current 03 Jetta, I also went to radioshack with a different approach in mind. I purchased a 4 pack of momentary on/off switches, price around $3.50 (model of similar product on website "275-1548" the only difference with mine was a slightly larger diameter push pin). My idea was to fabricate a "door pin" switch. Normally while a working door is open it grounds out and the light comes on and the car wont re-lock on you.

As with the other write up, take off the door panel (if you can accomplish this the rest is not much more difficult). Now run a simple ground wire from the light assembly's ground and route it through the door to the inside of the car. The rubber piece by the door hinge is fairy simple to take off just grab a side a pry around gently (done easily by hand) exposing the wires, if you want to grab a wire coat hanger and help the wire through this is also easily done. Remove the torx screws holding the underside plastic cover in place and remove as well.

Take off the side plastic dash panel, drill a hole (near the top) a tiny bit larger than the switch. Next mount your switch, (if you don't have a drill you could probably even do this with a pocket knife, this being said please be careful). Run your ground wire to one side and then run another from the opposing side to a ground point. Snap your dash panel back in, if you press it in and the light goes out you are good to go. Replace your door panel and go brag to someone about how you just saved a buttload of money by avoiding the dealership.

 

[kiva822]

I had the same broken microswitch problem with my 2000 GTI and my current 03 Jetta, I also went to radioshack with a different approach in mind. I purchased a 4 pack of momentary on/off switches, price around $3.50 (model of similar product on website "275-1548" the only difference with mine was a slightly larger diameter push pin). My idea was to fabricate a "door pin" switch. Normally while a working door is open it grounds out and the light comes on and the car wont re-lock on you.

As with the other write up, take off the door panel (if you can accomplish this the rest is not much more difficult). Now run a simple ground wire from the light assembly's ground and route it through the door to the inside of the car. The rubber piece by the door hinge is fairy simple to take off just grab a side a pry around gently (done easily by hand) exposing the wires, if you want to grab a wire coat hanger and help the wire through this is also easily done. Remove the torx screws holding the underside plastic cover in place and remove as well.

Take off the side plastic dash panel, drill a hole (near the top) a tiny bit larger than the switch. Next mount your switch, (if you don't have a drill you could probably even do this with a pocket knife, this being said please be careful). Run your ground wire to one side and then run another from the opposing side to a ground point. Snap your dash panel back in, if you press it in and the light goes out you are good to go. Replace your door panel and go brag to someone about how you just saved a buttload of money by avoiding the dealership.

do you have any pics of what you did? I'm not quite following you. You didn't take the lock assembly out?

 

[spooge1]

No I didn't take out the lock. I'm probably going to be working on my 87 GTI project tomorrow, I'll try and take a break to snap some photos for you guys.

 

[diggindiesel]

Great thread and info on a WAY too common of a problem. I'll be replacing the drivers side as soon as I can find the time.VW is the king of planned obsolescence!

 

[spooge1]

Link to my write up on installing a "door pin" style switch.

 

[kpboh]

If anyone is looking for a switch, I have a few extra for sale in my ad here. Save a few bucks from buying direct from Allied (they tack on a $5 handling fee + shipping + tax for orders <$20).

 

[Deansel]

Forgive me if this has been covered, but is the Mk V (2006 Jetta) the same? My driver's door is not activating the dome light, door ajar, headlight warning, etc, etc.

You may want to check the wiring harness in the door hinge area. My wife was not able to lock the doors at work and the dome lights stayed on. After she got home, I found that the door had no power at all so I checked the harness and there were 2 primary wires broken with many more having cracked insulation. It looks like the wiring is being stretched.

 

[LB 03JettaTDI]

I recently purchased my 03 Jetta and had the door switch problem from day 1. I performed the $3 radio shack fix yesterday and it worked great, today it started turning the door light on only. It slowly comes on after door is closed. When I trigger the latch with my finger I can hear the new switch clicking and operates the dinger and dome lights properly but door light slowly comes back on after a few seconds. Anyone els ever have this problem. Bad switch maybe?