door switch
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Any good auto parts store.
When you get them they will look to be way too long. The length is adjustable. Just install the switch and close the door slowly and it will "self adjust". Make sure you use dielectric grease on the switch and connector.
When you get them they will look to be way too long. The length is adjustable. Just install the switch and close the door slowly and it will "self adjust". Make sure you use dielectric grease on the switch and connector.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
They are called Dome Light Actuator Switches for the door jamb. Junk yards, ebay, some auto parts stores.
Be careful when unplugging your old ones the wire tends to short inside the jamb. You also may want to disconnect the battery as the exposed connectors tend to hit the metal body as you pull the body and the wire out of the hole.
Be careful when unplugging your old ones the wire tends to short inside the jamb. You also may want to disconnect the battery as the exposed connectors tend to hit the metal body as you pull the body and the wire out of the hole.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,238
Likes: 21
From: Northern Illinois
That is correct, they only have a spade conncector on them to hook up to the OE wiring. You can fix your wire with a new piece of 14-16 gauge wire and a blue spade connector to attach to the new door jamb switch.
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Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Some of them have tiny pins in the connector. The wires won't "short out" if they touch metal. All they will do is turn on the dome light.
The circuit runs:
POWER > fuse > dome light > switches > ground
The dome light bulb limits the current in the circuit. The fuse protects the wiring to the dome light fixture.
The circuit runs:
POWER > fuse > dome light > switches > ground
The dome light bulb limits the current in the circuit. The fuse protects the wiring to the dome light fixture.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,238
Likes: 21
From: Northern Illinois
Torque on the 73-79 F-series they did not use the 2 pin model. Our style was simply a male spade terminal that had a power wire attaching to it and the ground was achieved when it made contact with the door jamb, in order for it to work when you opened the door the spring loaded center would make a contact with power and then turn on the dome light.
The style you are reffering to did not come out till later.
The style you are reffering to did not come out till later.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
My 1978 has the pin style. I just replaced it a couple of years ago. No spade lugs. It also has OEM wiring as far as I can tell, no splices. That pin style connector is bad compared to the spade lug type. Both switches operate the same. They ground out the dome light circuit.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Central Oregon
I got a pair from my local Ford dealer within the past year. They are a slightly different style, but are a universal fit, the metal collar around the button depresses permanently according to how much clearance there is between door and frame. It was just plug-n-play.