Glove box light switch - any ideas ?

Christopher

Christopher

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Looking for a good working used switch or a source where i can buy an
original or something that will fit and do the job. Can anyone help ?

Thanks
 
Switch Idea

For my glove box, I fitted a mercury tilt switch. These can be purchased for about $1 at your local electronics store and can be mounted on any of the hidden (protected) areas behind your dash on the glove box.

Wire the switch so that it is in series with the light bulb and so that it is open when the box is closed. Please bear in mind, there are two switch types; normally open, and normally closed - the type you buy will dictate how you attach it to your glove box.

Hope this helps!
 
Re: Switch Idea

nimble_n_quick said:
Pick a spot that is furthest away from the hinge fulcrum point (i.e. maximize the tilting angle of the switch)
Click to expand...

nimble: Using a mercury switch is a clever idea. However, the ANGLE the switch moves as the glovebox door is opened will be the same regardless of how far it is mounted from the pivot. The DISTANCE it moves will increase as is mounted further from the pivot - but of course, distance isn't important here.
 
those switches are hard to come by used. They are NLA from BMW. Consider taking yours apart and seeing if you can fix what you have. Never know, it might be something simple inside the switch not connected.
 
Re: Switch Idea

jmackro said:
nimble: Using a mercury switch is a clever idea. However, the ANGLE the switch moves as the glovebox door is opened will be the same regardless of how far it is mounted from the pivot. The DISTANCE it moves will increase as is mounted further from the pivot - but of course, distance isn't important here.
Click to expand...
My thoughts exactly, Jay.
 
Yeah, yeah, this is basic trigonometry stuff - I get it. I "appreciate" the criticisms, and have edited my initial post to include the correction.

I hope that those who are interested found the repair suggestion helpful.
 
FYI - I have successfully tested two solutions for retrofit of this NLA part; the mercury switch listed above, and a second solution that takes advantage of displacement, benefitted by moving away from the hinge point.

This second solution uses a reed switch (available from your local electronics store and commonly used in home alarm applications for door/window open signaling) and a magnet. Secure the reed switch to a fixed structure in the dash, and then epoxy the magnet to the box exterior (in an inconspicuous location) located close to the switch when the box is closed. Test switch operation before applying the epoxy, and use the same wiring scheme as recommended for the tilt switch.

Please note, a normally open configuration reed switch is easiest to use for this option.

Both solutions work wonderfully.
 
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