Technical Refitting brake light switch

[Mallymac]

Hi all, took the old old switch out no problem. Fitting new one proving difficult. Have realised the the two locking tabs require a hard press to allow rotation of the switch into correct position. Has anyone ideas of how to make this refitting easier. The main problem is the very confined area in which to work. Many thanks.

 

[GrandePunto PL]

Compare old and new part. Spot the difference. Take a measurement.
Tabs/clips are too thick etc.?
Trim them, file a bit (file, sandpaper), use lubrication (plastic compatible, like silicone + teflon).

 

[Zardo]

First check that it's the correct version of the switch.
I removed the driver's seat in order to lay down on my back. Fitting isn't difficult if you know how to press and turn.
There's no need for much force.

Have a look at this post: https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/e...e-control-and-start-stop.513025/#post-4785332

 

[Mallymac]

Compare old and new part. Spot the difference. Take a measurement.
Tabs/clips are too thick etc.?
Trim them, file a bit (file, sandpaper), use lubrication (plastic compatible, like silicone + teflon).

Thanks for response. Like the idea to reduce hight of tabs slightly. Going to do it carefully in micro amounts.

 

[Mallymac]

First check that it's the correct version of the switch.
I removed the driver's seat in order to lay down on my back. Fitting isn't difficult if you know how to press and turn.
There's no need for much force.

Have a look at this post: https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/e...e-control-and-start-stop.513025/#post-4785332

Thanks for response. Reading the link I'm concerned at removing seats and airbags. One idea i got was to reduce the hight of the tabs by microns until pressure needed to fit is a little less. Going to try it.

 

[Zardo]

Thanks for response. Reading the link I'm concerned at removing seats and airbags. One idea i got was to reduce the hight of the tabs by microns until pressure needed to fit is a little less. Going to try it.

I believe the pros don't remove the seat. Also depends on how big you are.

As I've never done this before, I found it easier without the seat in place.

The trick is, the switch must first be inserted into the mechanism at a 45° angle from it's resting position, in the axis of the mechanism. If you get the angle wrong or worse, the switch is not in the axis and not slightly pushed against the mechanism before trying to rotate it, it won't fit. Once the angle and the axis are correct, turning it back by 45° to fit it is surprisingly easy. The difficult part is placing the switch into the correct position without seeing what you're doing before actually rotating it.

 

[Mallymac]

I can see the switch is through the hole correctly in the mounting plate us just applying the pressure needed to collapse the tabs enough to be able to turn it into place. I'll keep trying. Thanks a lot for help.