72 Vette -- New problem with door ajar/hood switches

[Rey S.]

I have wired up new door ajar switches. How do I keep the wire clips/terminals in contact with the switch body

[Don L.]

Re: 72 Vette -- New problem with door ajar/hood switches

Hi Rey. I'm not sure I completely understand your question.

Are you asking how the tiny connectors engage with the plunger switch? If so, they connect to the wire on one end (of course) and the other, blade type end inserts through the off-white nylon barrel. When compressed, the protruding tip of the connectors each make contact with the metal disc, thereby completing the circuit. Small and detailed work but simple in operation once you figure out how it all fits together.

I hope I've correctly understood your question and I further hope this helps. Let us know if not and we'll try again.

[Rey S.]

Re: 72 Vette -- New problem with door ajar/hood switches

Hi Don:
From you description it appears that I have assembled the wires and switches properly but what is happening is the plunger action of the switch pushes the the wire tips down flush with the plastic barrel so then there is no contact with the wire end terminals rendering the switch useless. What can I do to the switches to maintain contact. Worse case senario I guess would be to solder the wires together and leave the switches non operable.

[Don L.]

Re: 72 Vette -- New problem with door ajar/hood switches

Sure. I should have mentioned in my first post that the blade ended tips need to be folded over @ just a little less than 90* after they're inserted through the plastic barrel. This fold keeps the connectors in the barrel and also creates a contact surface for the disk to make contact with.

Make sense?

[Rey S.]

Re: 72 Vette -- New problem with door ajar/hood switches

Hi Don ------
Yes this what I finally did but included the fact that I folded the tabs all the way over flat against the barrel. What I should have done is to trim off that witch sticks out which make an easy slide through the 3/8 hole in the mounting plate. This is probably a better method as the way I did the install the tabs are in constant contact with the grounded mounting plate. I think I will make the change to the tabs! Thanks for the info. Rey