Another Door won't open Thread

[lane_viper]

Got a 96 GTS

So my passenger Door won't open from the outside. I've checked and I'm getting 12v at the plug for the exterior little square switch. Nothing happens when the switch is pushed.

Is this normal to get 12v? Anyone know what kind or switches these are? Do Gen 3 and 4 cars use the same little square switch?

I found this, and I know the wires aren't long enough and the plug might not be right, but all I need is the little square switch.

https://www.moparpartsoverstock.com...MIuN3Ny_iT4QIVlFmGCh0ZqAslEAQYBCABEgJUefD_BwE

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[MoparMap]

Have you tried checking continuity on the switch that's there? Should most likely show open when not pressed and continuity when pressed, though it's possible it could be backward. If the switch is showing okay it could be the door latch itself. You could try bridging the wires in the plug (basically bypassing the switch) to see if that pops the door as well. In the end I think you're right that it's most likely just a regular switch, though it might be somewhat more weather resistant than others.

 

[lane_viper]

Thanks for your reply. I'm going to try jumping the path to see if it functions the door.

I should add the inside door handle functions correctly.

Any body know the name of those little square switches the outside door handle uses? I'm sure I could get a replacement, but if you search "switches" millions of them come up, and it's like a needle in a haystack search.

Thanks.

 

[MoparMap]

A lot of times I think they call those microswitches. Not that that helps narrow things down, but will probably help a little. You could look at a place like DigiKey and start sorting. If you have the old switch out you could take some measurements and I bet you could find a drop in replacement.

 

[lane_viper]

So I ordered a few from DigiKey that looked close to what it looked like. Thanks So much MoparMap for the tips. I will keep you guys updated with what works.

 

[Serb Venom]

I cringe when people use terms like "little square switch" or they guy who recommended to "take some measurements and narrow down the search to find it in a magazine " WDF is wrong with you guys, stop smoking whatever you smoke. This comment about taking measurement is coming from a VCA National President, ohhh God help me here. While you at it take some measurement of the tires (H/W/L) and go buy some Viper tires from your local used tire place. If you don't know what the switch does how do you know that you need to replace it. I am glad that you pointed out that "the inside door handle works fine". Take a manual and look at the schematics and it will tell you all about the item and if you don't have the manual or if you down know about electronics and how it works go to your local Dodge dealership and go to the "PART DEPT" and they will have a full blown parts breakdown and you can go from there. If you don't have a local Dodge dealer near you I recommend you buy a "whole new little car" and make sure its made before 1981 as that when they started to install "little switches in the cars".

 

[MoparMap]

Dude, come off it. I have worked on cars my whole life and have done all my own work on my Viper. I took the whole dash out of the car to work on the HVAC box, I've taken the entire rear end out to replace seals in the diff, I've taken the transmission out to replace the clutch, I've rebuilt an entire 67 Dart with a modern 5.7 Hemi and T56 out of a Viper, I've rebuilt engines, etc. It's a freaking switch that opens a door. It doesn't launch a rocket. These cars aren't that special or unique, they are built from a parts bin. The only concern I would have with a switch like that is what voltage runs through it and whether it's normally open or closed, both things are easy to check with a standard multimeter.

OEMs pick parts out of catalogs when they design the cars to begin with. Dodge isn't going to design an electrical contact when there are hundreds of companies out there that already do that. The Viper was limited enough production that a lot of those parts may not be available anymore or you might have to buy a full assembly to fix it. Do you want to spend $100 on a door handle because of a 50 cent switch? I'd rather someone still be able to enjoy their car then have to sell it because they can't afford to fix it.

When I rebuilt my diff there wasn't even a listing for seals on the parts books. Dodge sells it as an assembly. I just pulled the part numbers off the seals that were in the car (they were National brand) and looked those up. So instead of buying a $1000+ rear end I could buy $5 worth of seals.

 

[lane_viper]

I'm also a heavy wrencher. Rebuilt the T56 in my 96 GTS myself. I've seen these little switches, I just didn't know them by name. I understand wiring, but like MoparMap says, It's not rocket science. I just need a switch that works. A $5 switch that gets the job done, is better than spending $40 on a part from dodge that I will have to modify anyway to fit my 96 as they only have them for 03+

I don't understand the negativity here. As these cars get older and older, parts will break, and replacements simply don't exist from the factory. You will either have to cutsomize, or seek used. With only about 8000 GTS's made, specific used parts will be hard to come by. Why get all upset over a $5 microswitch to function the door?

 

[lane_viper]

So Here's an update on this. I found the manufacturer part number for the snap-action micro switch used in the door handle.

V4LST7

That lead me here. and I placed an order for a few. When they get here I will update the progress.

 

[MoparMap]

Awesome, always nice to actually find it still available somewhere.

 

[Barry]

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I hope things are going well with your repair. I've had problems with my drivers door form very early on, (2000 GTS). The first time was warranty work and they replaced the eem. The second time was out of warranty so I went after it myself; It wasn't the eem, the dealer ripped off Dodge. In my case the wiring harness is just too tight in the door and the wires broke, kinda and then broke. Have you checked the wiring that travels from cockpit into the door? There be gremlins there.

 

[lane_viper]

In my case the wiring harness is just too tight in the door and the wires broke, kinda and then broke. Have you checked the wiring that travels from cockpit into the door? There be gremlins there.

Thanks for the reply, Barry. I checked with a multimeter that I get 12v on the plug the microswitch plugs into. The inside door handle also works fine. That's what makes me think the switch is the problem. I also noticed the microswitch shows some rust around it. I agree that most threads point to wiring chaffing or breakage, but that doesn't seem the case for me.

 

[lane_viper]

So.... Replaced the switch and that fixed it. In addition to the microswitch, I ordered the a few end caps also. Removed the wiring from the plug to up in the door handle. Held in by two clips.

This is how they come. Black wire soldered to top plug closest to plunger, red wire soldered to middle plug. last plug is ignored.

I noticed the old switches had some sort of silicone or something filling the end cap up, so I filled it with epoxy after soldering.

After all this, I have a working passenger door from the outside. Thanks everyone for their thoughts and assistance.

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Here's the old switch:

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Here is the new one:

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[MoparMap]

Awesome, glad it worked out for you. Good to have that part number for anyone else having issues as well.

 

[Beaker]

Here's the link to them in the US:

https://www.sager.com/V4LST7-1512373.html

 

[lane_viper]

Here's the link to them in the US:

https://www.sager.com/V4LST7-1512373.html

I saw that link but wanted to share a site that had them in stock. Doesn't look like you can order them online from them anymore.

"Availability:

This part cannot be purchased on line. For more information, please contact your local Sager sales representative at 1-800-724-3780 or press "Quote" to request a quote."