Electric window switch removal

Ok, before I damage this switch - what’s the trick for getting the harness disconnected from the switch. FSM just says removed plug from switch. Duh?

I can’t believe the individual wires get removed from the switch connector - and I see no way to lift or slide the harness plug away from the switch.


1971 B Body.

The "plug" on the back just slides straight off the pins on the back of the switch. They may be pretty tight. You can get a small screwdriver between the switch and plug and slowly work your way around the switch to separate them.

I should have mentioned that I am working on the rears.
I don’t see any way they can slide off. I can lift the plug a tad but the plug will not slide as it is captured.

Like this.....

Here are my rear plugs.

You've got to pop the switch out of the panel first. There's a metal retainer in the panel that the switch will come out of. Use that same small screwdriver between the switch escutcheon and trim panel (on the outside of panel) and pry the switch out of it's holder. You can see the little clips that hold the switch in, in my picture of the back of the switch. (at the ends of the switch.)
In your pictures, you are seeing the backside of the metal retainer that the switch is in and needs to be popped out of. Hope this helps.
You could also push real hard on the back (white plastic) of the switch (you'd actually be pushing on the plug-in that is on the switch.) and get the switch out of the retainer that way.

T-man, I did a little tutorial on repairing these switches, in response to someones question about them if you are removing the switch because it needs repair.
power window switch

That's a great how to.

I'll have to do quite a few switches

Thanks Morty! I like to help when I can.

Thanks 71ChargerR/T.

Got it apart. I made a mountain out of a mole hill.

You're welcome! It's better "safe than sorry" with these old things! if you're not sure, you don't want to force and break something. I don't blame you for asking!

Your link is an excellent tutorial on the 69-74 PW switches! I had a 70RR with PW back in the 80s, so every boneyard visit I collected up all the PW switches, usually from C bodies. Amassed quite the "spares" supply, to the point where I began repairing them for guys and selling complete sets on ebay. Anyway, if the plastic portion of the swivel was broken, would replace with a good one, then used super glue to remate with the swivel. The ketchup is a great idea, I used emery cloth on the switch contacts. Handling the wire springs was the worst!...again, I'd just replace bent springs with straight ones, but they can be straightened easily.