$0 mod to Courtesy Light Switch

[James Espey <james@xxxx>]

I forget how this whole thread started, but Hank Breer posted a 
simple, effective, FREE solution to what I think the problem is back 
in August of 1998.

>Date: Sat, 08 Aug 1998 12:56:28 -0700
>From: Hank Breer <hbreer@xxxx>
>Subject: Re: DML: Re: Door light kill switch alternatives
>
>Since the plunger travel is dependant on the door fit and latch 
>adjustment, I doubt
>if any "standard" measurements would apply. Manually push in the 
>plunger until
>the lights just go out, push in a little more (to ensure an air gap in the
>electrical contacts of the switch), and mark where the notch should be.
>
>On close examination, it appears that notch (which is less than 
>1/16" deep) was cut
>with a couple of swipes of a triangular file. The edge of the notch 
>(toward the
>car) is perpendicular to the plunger (to create a 'flat' to catch 
>the metal trim
>piece) and the angled portion is toward the outside end. If the 
>notch is cut so
>that the plunger is held too far in, the door will not contact it and you will
>loose the auto-center/return-to-normal-operation feature, but a 
>sideways tap on the
>plunger will put things back.

This is a great example of how a slight modification to a stock part 
(of which there is an abundant supply) can solve a problem - some of 
the "newbies" on the list wouldn't have seen this post from Hank, so 
I thought I'd bring it up again.

James Espey
DeLorean Motor Company
Houston, Texas

281/568-9573
800/USA-DMC1
http://www.delorean.com


>I don't know how much of a chore it would be to make this change, 
>but here's my idea: the light switches on the door of my Volvo have 
>an interesting option. You can push them in by hand, twisting 
>slightly, and they will lock into place. Pushing on them, either by 
>hand, or by closing the door, will unlock them. They lock into the 
>"off" position, so you can work on the car without running down your 
>batteries. Walt, your comment about replacing "the switch on the 
>door post with a small hand operated switch to save the battery" is 
>what made me think about this. Has anyone ever looked at doing 
>something like this for the D? For those of you working on possible 
>replacement switches, how about adding this type of feature?
>
>Dave
>vin 16367

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