Stupid door Switch!! $3 Fix!!!

bryanmabbott

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 8, 2011
Location
Phoenix
TDI
'02 VW Golf Manual; '13 Touareg TDI
I know my driver door needs fixing but my front passenger is acting strange. The door registers open when the door is open and closed when it is closed and shows up on the dash. The door light works too. However, when the door is open and I press the lock button on my remote, the car locks and beeps. Does the passenger switch need to be fixed?
 

Ron22

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2012
Location
Forest Lake, MN
TDI
2002 Jetta
Reading through the post it seem most of the time the problem is that the switch never thinks the door is open.
My problem is my door open light will come on when driving down the road. I then need to open and close the door to get it to stop.
So door switch or broken wire in the hinge area?
 

Zedbra

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2006
Location
Squamish, BC
TDI
2005 Jetta TDI
Reading through the post it seem most of the time the problem is that the switch never thinks the door is open.
My problem is my door open light will come on when driving down the road. I then need to open and close the door to get it to stop.
So door switch or broken wire in the hinge area?
Try cleaning it first. Could be a very simple fix - worked for me

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=811482&postcount=19
 

fruitcakesa

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Location
Vermont
TDI
04 jetta 5 spd wagon
If the red light on the fob flashes when you push the button, does that mean the batteries are ok and it is working?
It will no longer open any doors.
 

boertje

Veteran Member
Joined
May 24, 2002
Location
Coeur d'Alene, ID
TDI
'01, '01, '03, ‘06 NB - TDIs all.
Ok, so I was going to do this job this past weekend. But I was able to fix the problem without taking anything apart.

I had an extra door latch from my passenger side door that was replaced from my accident last year. I got all the tools ready to tear apart the door, but thought I would check out the spare latch I had first. So while inspecting it, I noticed a buildup of grease & dirt around the switch. So I wondered if that may have been causing the switch to remain stuck in the "door closed" position. So I took out a can of contact cleaner and went to town on the area below the latch where the micro switch is. While squirting the cleaner & working the latch back and forth, my light started flickering. So I closed the door and tried to open it. The light didn't work, but if I kicked the door, bingo, I had lights. SO I kept spraying and working the latch and now I have a fully functional door switch:)

As a side note, if you look in the first two pictures, you will see the plastic cover over the door latch. It is worn and not seated properly around the latch. This caused the latch to not open fully when the door was opened. It opened enough to allow the door to open, but did not go down enough to close the switch. I used a small scalpel (SP?) knife to cut that plastic cover off the latch so it would not interfere with the full travel of the latch. This also could cause the switch to not become engaged? Maybe try forcing the latch down with a screwdriver to see if it will close the switch that way.

Here are some pictures for reference:

This is the spare door latch that I was going to remove the switch from. The switch is located at the bottom of the latch


Here is a better shot of the plastic cover on the latch interfering with the full travel of the latch:


Here is the back side of the latch. You can see how dirty it was. The gunk was keeping the switch from opening & closing properly:


Here is where I sprayed the contact cleaner. I also used a screwdriver to lock & unlock the latch to get the cleaner working.


Now this is just my experience. I realize that this may not work on all cars as the switch may actually be defective. But it is worth a try to see if yours is also caused by a stuck latch or stuck switch and not a broken switch.
This gave me an extra two years of service on my Jetta driver door. It kept the door ajar light from coming on while driving. Now the light has started to flicker again and spray was not effective this time. Had to replace the switch. Now all is fine.
 

spryde

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 12, 2005
Location
Saginaw, MI
TDI
2003 Jetta TDI GLS 5sp, 2006 Jetta Pkg 2 DSG Blue Graphite (order cancelled by dealer :( )
Which type? I can't find the Allied one anywhere?
 

docfear

New member
Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Location
Laval, Qc Canada
TDI
1999 jetta (2x)
contact cleaner worked for me

well it worked for me, one full can of contact cleaner in driver door and break cleaner on all other doors, then finished with Graphite grease, voila!! all doors lock and lights work:);)
 

jayb79

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 20, 2000
Location
Exeter,NH
be careful with aggressive cleaners they will strip the anti corrosion and paint off the inside of the door.
 

sootwagen

Veteran Member
Joined
May 25, 2003
Location
Nowhere
TDI
None
If the red light on the fob flashes when you push the button, does that mean the batteries are ok and it is working?
It will no longer open any doors.
Not necessarily. A few months ago, I had one that stopped working completely. Replacing the batteries did nothing. The red LED on the fob flashed, but nothing else happened. I also went through the procedure to have the car re-learn the remote, with no success. The only solution was to replace the fob.
 

tleader

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2008
Location
San Antonio, Texas
TDI
None
Here was my solution. I didn't feel like tearing apart the door and latch. So as an alternative I just used a recessed magnetic switch. I installed it on the bottom of the door panel and put the magnet under the trim panel inside the car. I wired it up to the neg side of the puddle light and it works great. Interior light and puddle light come on and go off just like with the switch. Cost was about the same and it was a lot less hassle, I didn't even have to pull the door panel.

One note, make sure the magnetic switch is for a normally open circuit, not like those in a house alarm.

 

ymz

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 12, 2003
Location
Between Toronto & Montreal
TDI
2003 Jetta TDI Wagon, 2003 Jetta TDI Wagon
I didn't feel like tearing apart the door and latch. So as an alternative I just used a recessed magnetic switch.
Good idea... since my door switch just went out, I may go that route if I can't locate a replacement switch / cheap lock assembly.

Yuri
 

Vince Waldon

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 25, 2009
Location
Edmonton AB Canada
TDI
2001 ALH Jetta, 2003 ALH Wagon, 2005 BEW Wagon
I suppose the question would be: the puddle light and dome light work fine... does the anti-theft alarm and "key left in the ignition" buzzer also work now?
 

mn5503

New member
Joined
May 24, 2013
Location
USA
TDI
Jetta
Great thread. My driver's side door lock module hasn't worked since I bought the car 3 years ago. Never cared much as the car always recognized the door as being closed but over the last few months it started acting up. Kept chiming and the dome light/door ajar indicator light would keep flashing while I was driving and the door was fully closed. Replaced the micro switch (Shipping and handling cost three times what the switch did from Allied Electronics
). But $20 bucks was a lot better than the price of an entire new DLM. Works perfect now for the first time since I've owned the car.

Thanks to the OP and all those that made this fix before me.

My switch was typical of the others, button completely destroyed...

 

jconway1968

New member
Joined
May 24, 2013
Location
USA
TDI
Jetta '06
Anyone in NW Chicago burbs want to help me with this

I got the inside panel off my 2006 jetta, but the rest scares me a bit. I've got the RadioShack part, just looking for someone to help with the rest... Email me at joco2717@gmail.com if you are interested in some xtra cash. I live in the Crystal Lake area...

Thnx.
 

robnitro

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2004
Location
NYC area, NY
TDI
2001 Jetta TDI GLS silver
I took apart my door and lock mechanism yesterday. I saw that the switch clicked but wouldn't actually complete the circuit (NO switch that is activated by door open).

I used a normal microswitch with a piece of plastic crazy glued to the nub. It's there to smooth movement across the door latch cam.

I set the lock to door open, then set the switch to where it clicks it, and a little bit more. Held it with a vice grip , not too hard to crack it, then tested lock/unlock. Worked well. Marked the location I found to work well.

I crazy glued (gel type) the switch sideways and wired it up. Voila! It works great! This has 2 sets of contacts, in that case you use the ones labeled COM and NO.


 

turbotec

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2012
Location
Southern Oregon
TDI
2002 Jetta, 2015 Audi Q7
I figured I would add my experience! I was able to change mine without any soldering or cutting of wires. Bought 2 V4NS switches. I was able to break apart the new switches and remove the button. I then put the new button in the old switch and put it all back together! Worked flawlessly and kept everything stock!

Pictures:









 
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turbotec

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2012
Location
Southern Oregon
TDI
2002 Jetta, 2015 Audi Q7
Then just used a solder gun and melted the plastic flat. I also saved the small pieces I cut off and melted that too.


 

N2OKX

Well-known member
Joined
May 22, 2005
Location
Kentucky, Western
TDI
looking
Great solution! ....but (you have to know it's coming), in my experience the rubber cam that makes contact with this switch is usually in bad shape. Since I deal with so many of these, I go ahead and replace the whole mechanism. Yes, expensive, but I hate rework.

By the way, I tried a unit made in China that I found on eBay for about $40. I think it was intended for the British market (passenger door on left), as it did not function properly, but when I swapped out the electronics from a defective mechanism, I had a good working unit. The reason I mention this is to note that the Chinese unit improved on the German engineering. They used a heavy duty switch and held in on with a clip, making it replaceable. I don't see them on eBay any more, but will continue to look for them.
 

tsandfor

Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2013
Location
Bridgewater, NJ
TDI
2006 Jetta
2006 Door Latch Switch Fix

Thanks for all of the help and creative suggestions on how to fix this annoying problem. After I killed my battery due to leaving the headlights on due to no chime caused by the bad door switch, it was time to go after this thing!

The fix for my 2006 TDI Jetta (186k miles) was to remove the switch from the latch mechanism (leave wires intact) and restore the worn down end of the switch's plunger. It had become worn down about 1/64" from the sliding contact with the latch cam for so long. I wipe the end with acetone, applied a dab of epoxy (Belzona 1221----very pricy but this is the best stuff in the world for us fixer types), and filed it down to the 1/64" needed. Belzona 1221 is erosion resistant so it should last a long time on the plunger. :)

As a side note, I was able to easily disassemble the switch to ensure all was well inside. It looked fine; no pitting, evidence of overheating, and the spring was fine.

I have a photo of the fix but am not savvy enough to know how to attach it to this note. I will upload if someone can kindly tell me how to do it.

Other tips are:
Take notes and photos of everything before disassembly! I also took apart the electric locking housing to check it out and had trouble getting it back together. How did that spring go???????????? Oops, forgot to put the inside part of the door latch on BEFORE putting the door skin back on...
 

Perfectreign

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2013
Location
Los Angeles
TDI
2000 Jetta GLS 5-speed
FWIW, I had the sticking doors also.

I initiallyl thought of tearing the door apart and gettting at the switch.

I then put some WD-40 in the door latch to see if that worked. Better but they still stuck a bit.

Today I bought some spray electrical cleaner at AutoZone and sprayed in the jam. I then opened and closed each door about fifty times.

No more sticking and the light goes on as expected. :D
 

N2OKX

Well-known member
Joined
May 22, 2005
Location
Kentucky, Western
TDI
looking
FWIW, I had the sticking doors also.

I initiallyl thought of tearing the door apart and gettting at the switch.

I then put some WD-40 in the door latch to see if that worked. Better but they still stuck a bit.

Today I bought some spray electrical cleaner at AutoZone and sprayed in the jam. I then opened and closed each door about fifty times.

No more sticking and the light goes on as expected. :D
Glad this worked for you, but I assure you it will be a temporary fix. The problem is not electrical in nature, but is purely mechanical: a small plastic piece makes contact with a hard rubber cam. The plastic wears down or breaks off and the cam becomes rough. I have probably replaced 30 or more in the last five years, no exaggeration.

I found the eBay latch again. It was from AM Autoparts and was $40, including shipping. I will be trying it out soon. Been away for a week and am behind on repairs and such. I'm hoping they got the correct electronics this time. Will post my results when I know something more.
 

icedragn43

Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2012
Location
Thunder Bay, ON
TDI
2002 Jetta

dremd

Veteran Member
Joined
May 31, 2007
Location
South Louisiana
TDI
06 sprinter. 03 jetta wagon premium with 6 speed ALH swap, 14 JSW
I just did the magnetic switch mod to my car, everything works FIS, alarm, Courtesey light, and dome lights. I adjusted the magnets position fairly well, if you close the door to the first click the door stays "open" on the dash.
Very very pleased. I've fixed 3 other door latches in the conventional method, this is more ghetto for sure, but works great, I think will last forever, and is about 2 hours faster. Does cost about double, but I'm ok with that.
 

ymz

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 12, 2003
Location
Between Toronto & Montreal
TDI
2003 Jetta TDI Wagon, 2003 Jetta TDI Wagon
I found the eBay latch again. It was from AM Autoparts and was $40, including shipping. ...//... I'm hoping they got the correct electronics this time.
What do you mean by the electronics not being correct?

I'm trying to replace one now (have the door apart), but haven't tested the behavior of the unit yet...

Yuri
 
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