TUTORIAL - Replacing/Updating Power Hatch Switch/Button
05-24-2012, 12:39 PM
#1
TUTORIAL - Replacing/Updating Power Hatch Switch/Button
I am calling this a tutorial because I haven't seen it here before and also simply because it is something I sat down with for few minutes, figured out and thought may be helpful to others.
Background; I am finishing my interior's restoration which includes brand new parts or refurbished existing ones. My car has a perfect switch housing with the locking tabs, but all of the graphic had worn off the button and there are no aftermarket buttons available.
Over the weekend, I found a mint button, but the housing had broken locking tabs. I really wanted to have the new button installed, yet, didn't want to have to glue down the housing it was attached to. So, I figured out how to remove just the switch. All you need for this job is a small flat blade jewelers screwdriver which, if you don't have, can be found near any register at your local 'Dollar Store'. I recommend some WD40 or other cleaner also because the brass contact plates will have years of gunk on them, as I discovered on both switches.
1. On the left is the switch that was in my car with working locking tabs. On the right is the new switch, but with broken locking tabs.
2. Carefully insert the screwdriver and lift upward, doing this on all four corners. GO SLOW! You don't want to break the housing and inside, there are three springs (two very small) that will come flying out if you go too fast.
3. The brass plate just rests on the assembly. The grime needs to be cleaned before re-assembly. The brass part on the backside of the prong plate that was just removed- which makes signal contact - will have similar gunk on it.
4. Once the previous prong plate is off, you will see two small springs inserted into two circular holders. Stick the screwdriver inside and you can gently pull them out.
5. Difficult to see, but there are two black tabs (vertical - one top, one bottom) inside of the cutout that looks like the letter 'T' that the screwdriver will need to VERY gently push toward each other. Once they are close enough to each other and seem 'unlocked', grasp the button from the other side and pull down.
6. Now that it's removed, it is easier to see the tabs that were pushed together in the previous step.
7. Finally, if you happen to have 'sprung the big spring', no worries; looking at the white piece with the 'T' shape facing you, flip it over and insert the spring into the left channel. Reinstallation of the unit is the reverse of the above steps. Good luck and enjoy your fresh looking switch!
Background; I am finishing my interior's restoration which includes brand new parts or refurbished existing ones. My car has a perfect switch housing with the locking tabs, but all of the graphic had worn off the button and there are no aftermarket buttons available.
Over the weekend, I found a mint button, but the housing had broken locking tabs. I really wanted to have the new button installed, yet, didn't want to have to glue down the housing it was attached to. So, I figured out how to remove just the switch. All you need for this job is a small flat blade jewelers screwdriver which, if you don't have, can be found near any register at your local 'Dollar Store'. I recommend some WD40 or other cleaner also because the brass contact plates will have years of gunk on them, as I discovered on both switches.
1. On the left is the switch that was in my car with working locking tabs. On the right is the new switch, but with broken locking tabs.
2. Carefully insert the screwdriver and lift upward, doing this on all four corners. GO SLOW! You don't want to break the housing and inside, there are three springs (two very small) that will come flying out if you go too fast.
3. The brass plate just rests on the assembly. The grime needs to be cleaned before re-assembly. The brass part on the backside of the prong plate that was just removed- which makes signal contact - will have similar gunk on it.
4. Once the previous prong plate is off, you will see two small springs inserted into two circular holders. Stick the screwdriver inside and you can gently pull them out.
5. Difficult to see, but there are two black tabs (vertical - one top, one bottom) inside of the cutout that looks like the letter 'T' that the screwdriver will need to VERY gently push toward each other. Once they are close enough to each other and seem 'unlocked', grasp the button from the other side and pull down.
6. Now that it's removed, it is easier to see the tabs that were pushed together in the previous step.
7. Finally, if you happen to have 'sprung the big spring', no worries; looking at the white piece with the 'T' shape facing you, flip it over and insert the spring into the left channel. Reinstallation of the unit is the reverse of the above steps. Good luck and enjoy your fresh looking switch!
Last edited by majobis; 08-16-2012 at 10:58 PM.
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