Hi Guys
My boot switch has been intermittant for quiet a while now so i went out and and tryied to fix it.
I originally went out to put a reversing camera on but knocked that on the head as too much work lol.
anyways.
I removed the boot card - you will need a flat head screwdriver, philips head screwdriver, good 5mm (i think) allum key,
you will also need a 13 mm socket.
When you remove the card, make sure you locate and disconnect the boot switch cable - then pull the gromit out so the cable is free to pull out with the handle.
There are 4 13mm bolts that hold the boot handle in place once they are free it will take some pulling to remove the handle as its gets stuck in place, just make sure the wires are free to go with it.
Once free lay the handle down where its not going to damage the paint work.
Using a credit card / store card etc lift the rubber cover - then pull the whole cover off gently, remember the switch has been in place for nearly a decade so the rubber could tear so be careful.
If your lucky the switch will come with it, mine didnt and i had to use a screwdriver to lift it out.
You may notice that the rubber cover is soaked, this is the root of the problem. Dry it out with a clean rag.
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Now for the switch.
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The switch has a couple of tabs to keep it closed, on mine they were pretty useless and the switch pad split in half with very little effort. DONT LOSE THE SPRINGS!!
As you can see there is a small microswitch inside the pad, using some electrical contact cleaner emerse it in the liquid, and let it dry. This will clean the contact as well as remove and water.
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I then applyed vasaline (petroleum jelly) to the inside of the switch - THEN WIPE IT CLEAN - if you dont wipe it out the switch will fail to operate as it will stick closed.
The film of petoleum jelly will keep water out and protect the switch.
Then test the operation of the switch using a multimeter. Put it on OHMS and it should read 0 ohms when the switch is depressed. when let go the ohm meter should turn off as the resistance is out of range.
If you get no response or out of range resistance on the switch when depressed then the switch is kaput and needs replacing.
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once your happy that its working correctly put the switch back together and put the rubber boot over the switch pad. The pad only goes on one way so pay attention.
at this point i decided to apply the jelly to the outside of the boot so it goes between the metal and boot rubber to give a better connection, this is messy so i didnt get any pics. The reason i done this is because this would hopefully stop water accessing the pad this way. Also it helped put the switch back.
It takes a bit of fiddling to get the switch back into position and flush so if it dosent go home first remove and put it back, there are tabs on the back of the boot that will also help keep it in position.
Once the switch is back in position test the operaton again with a multimeter, if you get a 0 ohms then you have used too much jelly and the switch is stuck closed, if it operates ok re asssemble and carry on...
why fiat wont supply just the switch is dissapointing as i can clearly see it replaceable...
My boot switch has been intermittant for quiet a while now so i went out and and tryied to fix it.
I originally went out to put a reversing camera on but knocked that on the head as too much work lol.
anyways.
I removed the boot card - you will need a flat head screwdriver, philips head screwdriver, good 5mm (i think) allum key,
you will also need a 13 mm socket.
When you remove the card, make sure you locate and disconnect the boot switch cable - then pull the gromit out so the cable is free to pull out with the handle.
There are 4 13mm bolts that hold the boot handle in place once they are free it will take some pulling to remove the handle as its gets stuck in place, just make sure the wires are free to go with it.
Once free lay the handle down where its not going to damage the paint work.
Using a credit card / store card etc lift the rubber cover - then pull the whole cover off gently, remember the switch has been in place for nearly a decade so the rubber could tear so be careful.
If your lucky the switch will come with it, mine didnt and i had to use a screwdriver to lift it out.
You may notice that the rubber cover is soaked, this is the root of the problem. Dry it out with a clean rag.
Now for the switch.
The switch has a couple of tabs to keep it closed, on mine they were pretty useless and the switch pad split in half with very little effort. DONT LOSE THE SPRINGS!!
As you can see there is a small microswitch inside the pad, using some electrical contact cleaner emerse it in the liquid, and let it dry. This will clean the contact as well as remove and water.
I then applyed vasaline (petroleum jelly) to the inside of the switch - THEN WIPE IT CLEAN - if you dont wipe it out the switch will fail to operate as it will stick closed.
The film of petoleum jelly will keep water out and protect the switch.
Then test the operation of the switch using a multimeter. Put it on OHMS and it should read 0 ohms when the switch is depressed. when let go the ohm meter should turn off as the resistance is out of range.
If you get no response or out of range resistance on the switch when depressed then the switch is kaput and needs replacing.
once your happy that its working correctly put the switch back together and put the rubber boot over the switch pad. The pad only goes on one way so pay attention.
at this point i decided to apply the jelly to the outside of the boot so it goes between the metal and boot rubber to give a better connection, this is messy so i didnt get any pics. The reason i done this is because this would hopefully stop water accessing the pad this way. Also it helped put the switch back.
It takes a bit of fiddling to get the switch back into position and flush so if it dosent go home first remove and put it back, there are tabs on the back of the boot that will also help keep it in position.
Once the switch is back in position test the operaton again with a multimeter, if you get a 0 ohms then you have used too much jelly and the switch is stuck closed, if it operates ok re asssemble and carry on...
why fiat wont supply just the switch is dissapointing as i can clearly see it replaceable...
