waltmail Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 If I open the driver's door no cabin light illuminates. If I place tranny in gear with door open, warning pops up on screen. Wouldn't this indicate that the door jamb switch is operative? If I open the passenger door, the cabin overhead light turns on. Any ideas? Does that swich just pop out of the pillar by prying or is there a trick. I do not want to force and break it. P S my e mail instant notification does not work. Any ideas on that one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tb3 Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 I'm not completely sure, but isn't there 2 switches per door? one in the front and one in the rear of each door? The front switches just control the courtesy light (guessing), and the other one does everything else.somebody else who knows can chime in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rp1967 Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 I'm thinking there is a switch in the latch assm . Inside the door for the warning lamp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drtidmore Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 (edited) There are 3 switches in each door. The one you can see at the front of the jam, one you can't see that detects door ajar status and one in the exterior door handle to detect when the handle is lifted. Each serves a specific purpose. NONE of them directly control ANYTHING! They are all inputs to the BCM which in turns controls the interior lights as well as door ajar messages The door jam switch IS removable after removing a single screw. Edited January 26, 2016 by drtidmore (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waltmail Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 Thank you for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waltmail Posted March 4, 2016 Author Share Posted March 4, 2016 (edited) There are 3 switches in each door. The one you can see at the front of the jam, one you can't see that detects door ajar status and one in the exterior door handle to detect when the handle is lifted. Each serves a specific purpose. NONE of them directly control ANYTHING! They are all inputs to the BCM which in turns controls the interior lights as well as door ajar messages The door jam switch IS removable after removing a single screw.Okay screw is out. Is there now a trick. It ain't coming out. I am sure to break it if I am missing something? Passenger side switch works just fine. I can actually hear the relay when that door jamb switch is toggled and the lights work with that side. Edited March 4, 2016 by waltmail (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drtidmore Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 You need to gently pry at the bottom of the switch slightly and then tilt the switch while pulling. There are a couple of small tabs at the top of the switch that engage the metal of the car jam but they are short and once you have the screw out, tilting the switch out is sufficient for those to clear. There is a rubber gasket between the switch and the door metal that likely is making it seem like the switch is firmly attached, but again, once the screw is out, just gently pry at the bottom of the switch. Once you get the switch out, you will need to pull on the wiring until you find the connector which is located 9" or so past the switch itself. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waltmail Posted March 5, 2016 Author Share Posted March 5, 2016 You need to gently pry at the bottom of the switch slightly and then tilt the switch while pulling. There are a couple of small tabs at the top of the switch that engage the metal of the car jam but they are short and once you have the screw out, tilting the switch out is sufficient for those to clear. There is a rubber gasket between the switch and the door metal that likely is making it seem like the switch is firmly attached, but again, once the screw is out, just gently pry at the bottom of the switch. Once you get the switch out, you will need to pull on the wiring until you find the connector which is located 9" or so past the switch itself. Thanks. I shall pry some more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waltmail Posted March 5, 2016 Author Share Posted March 5, 2016 (edited) Thanks. I shall pry some more. You need to gently pry at the bottom of the switch slightly and then tilt the switch while pulling. There are a couple of small tabs at the top of the switch that engage the metal of the car jam but they are short and once you have the screw out, tilting the switch out is sufficient for those to clear. There is a rubber gasket between the switch and the door metal that likely is making it seem like the switch is firmly attached, but again, once the screw is out, just gently pry at the bottom of the switch. Once you get the switch out, you will need to pull on the wiring until you find the connector which is located 9" or so past the switch itself. Okay successful extraction. They have only been in there since 1989. Pulled both sides and swapped them out. It's the switch. Now to find a replacement. Anyone have one for sale? Edited March 5, 2016 by waltmail (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES89 Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Try Jim Finn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted March 7, 2016 Share Posted March 7, 2016 I have the DOOR AJAR light on and your post prompted me to pull out the manual and do some research.In my case the manual is not extremely specific about were the door ajar switch is but by looking in the section on the doors I found it on the latch assembly.Since the Reatta and Riviera are very closely related, one could find all the switches on Rivieras.....and there is a good chance the Cadillac Eldorado and Seville also use the same switches.I intend to look next time at the pick n pull Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drtidmore Posted March 7, 2016 Share Posted March 7, 2016 I might add that before getting a couple of spare door jam replacement switches from Jim Finn, I took my defective driver's side switch apart and discovered water corrosion, but with some careful cleaning realized that there was likely sufficient contact area remaining to make it work. With the contacts cleaned, I applied a generous amount of dielectric grease to block out further water intrusion and then re-installed the switch. The switch was still working fine when many months later I replaced it with one of the switches from Jim. Just thought I would pass this along as the supply of used door jam switches will continue to dwindle as time passes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeremyD Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Apparently my door is also a jar. The switch that controls the interior lights works fine. I dont think its the switch in the handle. Where is the 3rd switch? How is it repaired/replaced? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waltmail Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share Posted March 14, 2016 Apparently my door is also a jar. The switch that controls the interior lights works fine. I dont think its the switch in the handle. Where is the 3rd switch? How is it repaired/replaced? There is a switch plunger on the rear pillar of the door jamb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeremyD Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 if you're referring to this one I don't think that's the issue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES89 Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 You are right that is not the one. The one you need is inside the door and connects near the latch at the door opening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waltmail Posted March 17, 2016 Author Share Posted March 17, 2016 if you're referring to this one I don't think that's the issue No. The rear door pillar, not the front. Back by the latch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest george1861 Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 How about posting a pic of the switch in place. My door is a glass container also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 I'm reviving this thread because my 1990 Riviera has decided that the Door Ajar light should be on all the time. Before I get I into the doors and check out these switches, I have a question for anyone who has had this same problem. I get into to the car, fasten my seat belt, and start the car; the Door Ajar light does not come on until I put the car in gear. Is this consistent with what you experienced? Thanks, Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 Thanks, I just wanted to confirm that my situation was the same; didn't want to start chasing one thing when I may have had something totally different happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 Thanks, I know what to look for and that I need to be careful. Always fun taking door panels off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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