Stupid door Switch!! $3 Fix!!!

turbocharged798

Veteran Member
Joined
May 21, 2009
Location
Ellenville, NY
TDI
99.5 black ALH Jetta;09 Gasser Jetta
I tried using that switch from radioshack and it failed a year later. The OE switch is waterproof, the rs one is NOT. Water got in and fubared the switch and I ended up having to unplug the door harness to keep the interior lights off.

I ended getting another lock carrier out of a junkyard and guess what? After spending 3 hours installing it only to find that switch is bad too.

I have been looking at this switch:

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail...GAEpiMZZMumBvQ1hY/fBU58hYSlklWJuqt7ks4dv%2bE=
 

P2B

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Location
Toronto & Muskoka, Canada
TDI
2002 Jetta, 2003 Jetta, 2003 Jetta Wagon
I tried using that switch from radioshack and it failed a year later. The OE switch is waterproof, the rs one is NOT.
The OE switch might be waterproof when new, but it doesn't stay that way - the cam rides on the seal and destroys it, which is why they fail.

VW should have used a lever actuated switch, and had the cam ride on the lever.



Unfortunately I have had no luck finding one that fits.

Simon
 

mk3

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Location
Wisconsin, USA
TDI
03 Jetta GLS 5-speed
...
VW should have used a lever actuated switch, and had the cam ride on the lever....
Unfortunately I have had no luck finding one that fits.
Simon
It is how I did mine - post 448 in this thread.

the switch is V4NSY1-UL

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=3623701&postcount=448
There is a bit of a write-up and pictures on photobucket - links at post #448

The button style switch can work but is more risky if the cam surface is badly worn.
 

NWFLYJ

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2012
Location
Pensacola
TDI
03 Jetta
Before I took mine apart I used VAG-COM to troubleshoot it. My passenger door thinks it is open all the time, and the drivers door thinks it is closed all the time!
 
Joined
Feb 23, 2009
Location
Earth
TDI
'00 GOLF
Before I took mine apart I used VAG-COM to troubleshoot it. My passenger door thinks it is open all the time, and the drivers door thinks it is closed all the time!
Dude that is some freaky sensing. I got to do my switches, both doors. As cheap as they are, just replace them. If you haven't.
 

turbocharged798

Veteran Member
Joined
May 21, 2009
Location
Ellenville, NY
TDI
99.5 black ALH Jetta;09 Gasser Jetta
All fixed and better than factory:


I used these microswitches from Mouser electronics:

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail...r36fLEvxdkLObEKF7bUx%2bOWYBsycFWSOHUQdqYA%2bw

They are fully sealed and have a stainless lever on them. They do not, however, have wire leads. Its solder connection only. I sealed the joints with Goop glue stuff when it was done.

As you can see, I trimmed back the lever and bent it slightly so it will ride correctly on the cam. I used JBweld to hold the switch in place. I think it probably outlast the car now!:D

Vw should have used a lever switch from the factory instead of just putting the little plastic nub right on the cam which chews up the switch.

Nice having a working door switch again.
 

mk3

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Location
Wisconsin, USA
TDI
03 Jetta GLS 5-speed
All fixed and better than factory:

I used these microswitches from Mouser electronics:
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail...r36fLEvxdkLObEKF7bUx%2bOWYBsycFWSOHUQdqYA%2bw
They are fully sealed and have a stainless lever on them. They do not, however, have wire leads. Its solder connection only. I sealed the joints with Goop glue stuff when it was done.
As you can see, I trimmed back the lever and bent it slightly so it will ride correctly on the cam. I used JBweld to hold the switch in place. I think it probably outlast the car now!:D
Vw should have used a lever switch from the factory instead of just putting the little plastic nub right on the cam which chews up the switch.
Nice having a working door switch again.
very nice! I would like to add that it is important that the edge you bend down be positioned and angled correctly to eliminate a chance of catching when the cam slides toward the switch. I think the cam turns counter-clockwise in that picture. Just for people trying to copy your great work and because it is not 100% clear from that angle. Soldering the original wires to lugs rather than splicing wire to wire is cleaner - great job!
 

turbocharged798

Veteran Member
Joined
May 21, 2009
Location
Ellenville, NY
TDI
99.5 black ALH Jetta;09 Gasser Jetta
Yes, the tab is bent enough to keep the cam from catching it. That's why I bent it in the first place. Took a little fiddling but my door switch has never worked as good as it does now plus it will never wear though like the original does.

It was hard to get a good shot of the switch with the camera.

BTW, it is wired wrong in the picture. Had it wired to the NC contacts and the switch worked opposite what it was supposed to. It was an easy fix though(switch to the NO contacts).
 
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ajshoe

Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2012
Location
cincininati
TDI
2002 jetta GLS
read everyone's posts - Have the same problem. After analyzing the problem, it seems to me the easiest fix is to buy a similiar switch that can be taken apart and put the new top assembly of the switch on the old switch, this should fix it and is fairly simple. Every switch I have taken apart is either bad contacts or the push pin is broke along with the rubber seal. The old switch can be taken off the metal shrould and the new top piece put on the switich and re-installed easily. Does anybody have the part # of a replacement switch that is readily attainable (V4NS-UL is not the right switch - correct one is black and can be opened up) ??? thanks, J
 
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PDJetta

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 6, 2003
Location
Northern Virginia
TDI
'04 Jetta GLS TDI Pumpe Duce Platinum Grey w/ Leather
This Looks Like the OEM Door Latch Switch, Is It?

I just found this when I Google "VW Door Latch Switch Repair"

http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/switches/sealed/dk.htm

This looks like the OEM switch. I have not read the many pages of this thread to see if this switch was mentioned, but I searched the Forum on the part number ("DK Series") and it did not come up.

--Nate
 

mk3

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Location
Wisconsin, USA
TDI
03 Jetta GLS 5-speed
read everyone's posts - Have the same problem. After analyzing the problem, it seems to me the easiest fix is to buy a similiar switch that can be taken apart and put the new top assembly of the switch on the old switch, this should fix it and is fairly simple. Every switch I have taken apart is either bad contacts or the push pin is broke along with the rubber seal. The old switch can be taken off the metal shrould and the new top piece put on the switich and re-installed easily. Does anybody have the part # of a replacement switch that is readily attainable (V4NS-UL is not the right switch - correct one is black and can be opened up) ??? thanks, J
sort of agree and I think it is what I wanted to try but an exact match for the switch has not been found yet. Also, if the cam has been damaged then the new switch head will fail rather quickly and you also have to be concerned about sealing it if you take it apart.

Finding a new head that snaps on and also has a lever to slide on - that would be really cool.

The repair by member turbocharged798 [response 492] is really good and just requires a bit of soldering. Even if you have not soldered before the tools can be cheap and it truly is not very hard to make this connection.
 

aja8888

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Location
Texas..RETIRED 12/31/17
TDI
Out of TDI's
Yes, the tab is bent enough to keep the cam from catching it. That's why I bent it in the first place. Took a little fiddling but my door switch has never worked as good as it does now plus it will never wear though like the original does.

It was hard to get a good shot of the switch with the camera.

BTW, it is wired wrong in the picture. Had it wired to the NC contacts and the switch worked opposite what it was supposed to. It was an easy fix though(switch to the NO contacts).
So, for that switch, relocate red wire to NO terminal?
 

P2B

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Location
Toronto & Muskoka, Canada
TDI
2002 Jetta, 2003 Jetta, 2003 Jetta Wagon
I just found this when I Google "VW Door Latch Switch Repair"

http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/switches/sealed/dk.htm

This looks like the OEM switch. I have not read the many pages of this thread to see if this switch was mentioned, but I searched the Forum on the part number ("DK Series") and it did not come up.

--Nate
The OEM switch is a bespoke version of the Burgess V4LS. VW had them omit the NC wire, and provide plastic posts for mounting.

You can use a standard V4LS, but the mounting holes are not in the same place as the posts on the VW version, so you have to glue it in place.

If I recall correctly the minimum order was 1000pcs when I enquired about purchasing the VW version :eek:

Simon
 

33tab

New member
Joined
Dec 6, 2011
Location
Austin, TX
TDI
2004 Jetta Wagon
I just wanted to post a quick reply to warn everyone that just because you are having these issues doesn't necessarily mean you need to pull the latch. I puled my door panel and replaced the switch with the POS Radio Shack switch when nothing was wrong with mine. After the second removal I realized that the door latch was just sticking and not opening all of the way. If you push it all the way down with your finger the lights and everything work properly. All of this may have already have been discussed but I just didn't want anyone to make the same mistake. I guess I'm just frustrated because I pulled a factory sealed switch and replaced it crappy one that I'll probably be replacing annually now.:confused:
 

fruitcakesa

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Location
Vermont
TDI
04 jetta 5 spd wagon
I just wanted to post a quick reply to warn everyone that just because you are having these issues doesn't necessarily mean you need to pull the latch. I puled my door panel and replaced the switch with the POS Radio Shack switch when nothing was wrong with mine. After the second removal I realized that the door latch was just sticking and not opening all of the way. If you push it all the way down with your finger the lights and everything work properly. All of this may have already have been discussed but I just didn't want anyone to make the same mistake. I guess I'm just frustrated because I pulled a factory sealed switch and replaced it crappy one that I'll probably be replacing annually now.:confused:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=77648&page=2
see post 19
 

fruitcakesa

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Location
Vermont
TDI
04 jetta 5 spd wagon
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fruitcakesa

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Location
Vermont
TDI
04 jetta 5 spd wagon
Following Wingnuts advice, I finally got around to doing this to the 02, which has had a non operating inside light when drivers door opened but once in a blue moon the light would work.
So I heavily sprayed contact cleaner onto the latch and worked it really well....
Now the light stays on.
Have I truly broken the switch now?:confused::confused:
I walked away for a while and came back later to check it out.
I opened the door and the light came on.
Closed the door, light still on, put key in the ignition and the warning tones
start and don't stop till I turn the key on and off and remove it.???
Put the key back in and get the usual 6 warning tones which stop, I start the car and drive off into the sunset and now everything works as it should.
Light comes on when the door is opened, goes off after starting or timing out upon closing the door. No unusual warning tones
The car must have needed to get rid of all those stored up warning tones and light off's:D
 

fruitcakesa

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Location
Vermont
TDI
04 jetta 5 spd wagon
Last post till...???

I walked away for a while and came back later to check it out.
I opened the door and the light came on.
Closed the door, light still on, put key in the ignition and the warning tones
start and don't stop till I turn the key on and off and remove it.???
Put the key back in and get the usual 6 warning tones which stop, I start the car and drive off into the sunset and now everything works as it should.
Light comes on when the door is opened, goes off after starting or timing out upon closing the door. No unusual warning tones
The car must have needed to get rid of all those stored up warning tones and light off's:D
Nope, back to square one with no light on when door opened.:eek:
 
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crbroz

New member
Joined
Jan 26, 2013
Location
Spokane, WA
TDI
2002 Jetta Sedan
Dash door ajar light on

I have had issues since I bought my Jetta with the door switch, I have now fixed the door switch with a new micro switch. The alarm goes off when the car is armed when I open the door like it should. The door marker light comes on when I open the door like it should. The door chime comes on when it is opened like it should, but the dash says the door is ajar and it is not any of the other doors??? Please help Oh and the dealership I bought this car from was hella sketch the car had alot of issues including this, but the door ajar light was never on before could the dealership turned the light off with the vag com just to hide it from me.
 

mk3

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Location
Wisconsin, USA
TDI
03 Jetta GLS 5-speed
I have had issues since I bought my Jetta with the door switch, I have now fixed the door switch with a new micro switch. The alarm goes off when the car is armed when I open the door like it should. The door marker light comes on when I open the door like it should. The door chime comes on when it is opened like it should, but the dash says the door is ajar and it is not any of the other doors??? Please help Oh and the dealership I bought this car from was hella sketch the car had alot of issues including this, but the door ajar light was never on before could the dealership turned the light off with the vag com just to hide it from me.
The trunk?

How do you know it is not one of the other doors? They all cause lighting to turn on and off properly?

Ask the dealer to hook up vag-com and check the door status through the interface. should be really quick work. It is a vague memory but I think there is a screen that shows the status in real-time.
 

79TA7.6

Veteran Member
Joined
May 8, 2006
Location
Live: Wilbur/Creston; Work: Moses Lake Washington
TDI
2003 TDI Jetta, 2002 TDI Golf, 2005 TDI Golf
Look for a PM from me. I can scan your car if you would like.

I have had issues since I bought my Jetta with the door switch, I have now fixed the door switch with a new micro switch. The alarm goes off when the car is armed when I open the door like it should. The door marker light comes on when I open the door like it should. The door chime comes on when it is opened like it should, but the dash says the door is ajar and it is not any of the other doors??? Please help Oh and the dealership I bought this car from was hella sketch the car had alot of issues including this, but the door ajar light was never on before could the dealership turned the light off with the vag com just to hide it from me.
 

skysteve

Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2013
Location
saanichton
TDI
2006 jetta tdi
light switch

I have my drivers door all tore apart. I am trying to fix my door switch. The one that tells you if the door is open or not and turns on the interior lights and the door light on the door. I have determined that the little switch that does this is bad since it fell apart when I removed the lock assembly! Does any one know where I can get a replacement switch from? I hate to replace the whole assembly when just the little switch is bad. I figure Cherry electric must make a switch like this one. Someone must have found the part number/vendor for this little switch. It will be a piece of cake to fix just this switch.

Ok, we can fix this door switch for $3 USD! You need to go to Radio Shack and purchase Part number #275-016A. This is a Submini Lever Switch. It has NO and NC contacts. Now here is what you need to do.
1) Tear the door down to the door lock assembly. This is detailed in the Bentley.
2) Remove the door lock assembly from the door carrier assembly you just removed. You will need to drill out a rivit to do this as detailed in Bentley.
3) Once you have the door lock assembly out, you will see the switch in question. It is the one that has a red and blue wire going to it. Mine was ruined as outlined above.
4) You will need a dremel tool to slot out the holes that hold the switch in place to the new switch fits in.
4) Observe the posistion and how the old switch works.Then remove the old switch. It is held in place by two plastic plugs that are melted to hold the switch. Pry it out with a small flat bladed screwdriver and clip the wires at the switch. Then slot out the holes for the new switch with your dremel. You will be able to see what you need to slot by comparing the two switches.
5) Take the new switch and remove the lever by slowly twisting it out with a pliers. You don't need it, just the main body of the switch.
6) You will need two tiny screws and nuts, which I had laying around, otherwise you can get them at the hardware store. Attatch the new switch and solder the red and blur wires to the switch. One to the Common and one to the NO (normally open). Plug the electrical plug back in and test the operation of the switch.
7) Button it all back up and rejoice in the money you saved!

I also lubed the new switch with electrical grease and hopefully it will last for awhile. Now that it is all modified, I can slug a new one in if it fails again in the future. (hopefully I wont have to!)

I know these instructions are very basic, but if you have the ability to get all of this apart, you can change out this switch.



have just done this and it worked good, thanks for the info
 

Trebla

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2011
Location
Edmonton
TDI
2003 Jetta
Here's a humorous work around to TDI door lock problems. My remote has not worked for over a year, now the key cylinder has quit turning on the driver's door. I have run a rope from the driver's inside door handle through the fold down back seat into the trunk. Now when I leave the car, I go to the passenger door and reach through and hit the lock doors button on the driver's side. When I return to the vehicle, I open the trunk and pull the rope. This open the driver's door for me.
 

DK

Veteran Member
Joined
May 6, 2002
Location
Massachusetts
TDI
2014 TDI Golf 6 speed
Glad to have found this thread. It gives me some options. I've had on and off problem for years now with my ALH 2002 Golf. It's hilarious what happens. I start driving, after a short time I get a quick warning light and beep. Then, I know I'll have to open the door locks BEFORE I turn the car off. Otherwise, if I unlock the driver door, the door appears to unlock, but the blinking red light tells me the alarm is still armed. If I open the door the alarm goes off. Also, the trip meter and clock get reset if I forget.
I guess I'll try the contact cleaner solution first. This problem would have to be much worse before I'd condier selling this car. It only has 233K on it, after all.
 

brendee

New member
Joined
Mar 10, 2013
Location
Boise
TDI
Jetta
I have an unused switch from Allied Electronics, Part #V4NSY1UL for sale if anyone is interested in purchasing. We decided to replace the whole module instead of the switch. $15 shipped via paypal. Message me if interested.
 
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