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Hi All, I have an 89 GTA. Like most I needed to replace the pdl switch in the drivers side door. The escutcheon broke and the letter was worn completely off. I bought a used escutcheon from Hawks and a switch off ebay. This was some time ago and I don't remember which switch I bought. We've shown the car a bit and it has been in paint jail a while. Just got it back and I want to replace it again because although the passenger side works beautifully - lock triggers either way with very light pressure on the switch the "new" one I got off ebay is hard as a rock. You have to really smash your finger into it to get it to work.
So my question is, are all the re-pops available out there like that? Did I just get a bad or used one? I've seen Dorman, AC-Delco and some other ones. Hawks offers them at $25 a piece and I was going to go that route this time but they had the fire. Appreciate any feedback.
Rock Auto has some on closeout right now for dirt cheap. Like 2 for $5 dirt cheap. Regular price is generally less than $10 each. Anyone who charges $25 for a power lock switch should have their *** removed. Seriously F Hawks.
Sounds like you've got a bad switch. Considering you can buy several more for the price of one from Hawks, I'm sure you would get at least one that works.
ACDelco generally isn't manufactured by GM. Chances are pretty good there is only one company making them now, and you're just getting the same thing in a different package.
I haven't looked too closely at the lock switches, but it might be possible to change the cover on a functionally fine older switch, with rubbed off lettering, with one from an aftermarket switch.
The aftermarket ones are all very difficult to push, but they're cheap.
The AC Delco switches work great with light pressure, as you'd expect. The RH side is still available for a good price, but the LH side is discontinued by GM. I managed to find a NOS LH switch on eBay for $20 and it was worth it to me.
I can now confirm, the Dorman cheapies are complete crap. Got my lifetime supply from Rock Auto this morning, and they're stiff as hell and the buttons are convex from the pressure of the contacts of spring inside the switch. The cover looks to be bonded to the switch body, so it might be possible to carefully remove the cover and apply it to a GM switch with worn markings, but I expect that will be tedious if possible.
I just ordered one of these knockoff switches and a Delco unit for my Z
as my switches are worn and the right side don't work.
So for $15 bucks a pair delivered its worth a shot.
I can now confirm, the Dorman cheapies are complete crap. Got my lifetime supply from Rock Auto this morning, and they're stiff as hell and the buttons are convex from the pressure of the contacts of spring inside the switch. The cover looks to be bonded to the switch body, so it might be possible to carefully remove the cover and apply it to a GM switch with worn markings, but I expect that will be tedious if possible.
Agreed, the Dorman I got from ebay was terrible. Its currently in the car now and you have to mash the crap out of it and the locks will engage about 1 out of every 3 times.
As for the new ones I bought from Rock Auto, haven't installed them yet but the Delco felt firmer than stock but much softer than the Dorman. The ACI not so much. Its not "as bad" as the Dorman but still has a very stiff set of pushbuttons that take a lot more effort to use. We'll see how it behaves on the car. The part of the door escutcheon where these install is a really poor design. They don't hold up well to a lot of pressure which leads me to believe GM fully expected the original switches to actuate easily with a very light touch. The last time I did this I bought a used driver's side escutcheon from Hawks and the clip retainers broke on one side the first time I had to mash the craptacula Dorman switch. So I am buying another used set and planning to reinforce them this first. I'll post some pics once I make the switch.
In the meantime I think a NOS LH (Driver's) switch is my best bet. If anyone comes across one, let me know.
03-21-2018, 10:00 PM
