Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

I'm having an issue with my tailgate lock/unlock switch, it used to work (loudly) but now will only unlock (still loudly), I think I have narrowed the issue to the switch itself through various resistance and voltage readings along with jumpering power at various places to track down the problem. Does anyone have one of these switches and how much would it cost? thanks.

The contacts get quite dirty, pop forward the switch, take it apart and clean the two contact areas. Someone even took photos a short while ago of how to do so.

BCDelica wrote:The contacts get quite dirty, pop forward the switch, take it apart and clean the two contact areas. Someone even took photos a short while ago of how to do so.

had the switch all apart, didn't look that bad in there, I think there is a issue elsewhere in the switch, I may try again later if I can't get a switch somewhere.

Hi Loki,

Had the same problem. Mine would unlock but wouldn't lock (or the other way around) and it was noisy. I took the switch apart, cleaned it and it worked a grand total of 3 times before crapping again.

What fixed it was to change the solenoid at the back. I got a used one from Glenn at CCautos while on the island for a Delica long weekend gathering (Sprot Lake). Just took the old solenoid out, threw it in the garbage, put the new used one in and Voila! That simple. It's been working fine since. Sorry I didn't take pictures but it's quite obvious.

Good luck
David

delicat wrote:Hi Loki,

Had the same problem. Mine would unlock but wouldn't lock (or the other way around) and it was noisy. I took the switch apart, cleaned it and it worked a grand total of 3 times before crapping again.

What fixed it was to change the solenoid at the back. I got a used one from Glenn at CCautos while on the island for a Delica long weekend gathering (Sprot Lake). Just took the old solenoid out, threw it in the garbage, put the new used one in and Voila! That simple. It's been working fine since. Sorry I didn't take pictures but it's quite obvious.

Good luck
David

If I can get a cheap switch I would like to try that first as when I bypass the switch the solenoid "seems" to work just fine, also when checking resistances on the switch when going one way the resistance was 0 and the other way was not quite zero so there is something not right with that circuit. I think I will try just swapping a switch with a friends that works to test and go from there.

I have these switches in stock. They are not expensive.....about $40

loki wrote:

BCDelica wrote:The contacts get quite dirty, pop forward the switch, take it apart and clean the two contact areas. Someone even took photos a short while ago of how to do so.

had the switch all apart, didn't look that bad in there, I think there is a issue elsewhere in the switch, I may try again later if I can't get a switch somewhere.

It may not 'look that bad' but all it can take is the slightest corrosion to make a contact switch like that not work properly. Get yourself some fine sandpaper, tear off a little strip and clean each of the contacts (four faces) back to a shiny brassy-ness. My solenoid was only locking as well, but after I cleaned the contacts it did both. If the solenoid works both ways without the switch, then it's the switch - there is nothing between the switch and the solenoid in the rear gate.

If you come to CCAutos on Saturday, I'll show you how to take the switch all apart and clean the contacts. There aren't as many pieces in there as you might be imagining, and it pretty much only goes together one way. Good time to check all the bulbs and change them too.

mararmeisto wrote:

loki wrote:

BCDelica wrote:The contacts get quite dirty, pop forward the switch, take it apart and clean the two contact areas. Someone even took photos a short while ago of how to do so.

had the switch all apart, didn't look that bad in there, I think there is a issue elsewhere in the switch, I may try again later if I can't get a switch somewhere.

It may not 'look that bad' but all it can take is the slightest corrosion to make a contact switch like that not work properly. Get yourself some fine sandpaper, tear off a little strip and clean each of the contacts (four faces) back to a shiny brassy-ness. My solenoid was only locking as well, but after I cleaned the contacts it did both. If the solenoid works both ways without the switch, then it's the switch - there is nothing between the switch and the solenoid in the rear gate.

If you come to CCAutos on Saturday, I'll show you how to take the switch all apart and clean the contacts. There aren't as many pieces in there as you might be imagining, and it pretty much only goes together one way. Good time to check all the bulbs and change them too.

thanks for the offer, I did already take it apart and I have a replacement switch coming, after I change them out I will look at fixing the one I took out.