Carpokes Porsche Forum

I need to replace the sunroof microswitch between the visors. The current one would sometimes make contact and sometimes not. I attempted to split it and clean it but have given up after one of the terminals broke.

Porsche replacements are available for around $80. I have a hard time paying that for a couple dollar microswitch. From what I found online it looks like the original microswitch is Johnson Electric / Saia-Burgess F1T8Y1-GP-UL, but this has been discontinued and I cannot find it anywhere.

Anyone find a different suitable replacement?

You might try Digikey or Octopart. Additionally Claude AI is quite good at this kind of compatible parts search. Good luck!

For the first year of owning my 944 the sunroof operation was erratic. Sometimes up, but wouldnt close, sometimes it would stop midway. Sometimes it wouldnt open. After verifying the motor assembly switches were 100% i dove into the visor switch. Nope. Then i grabbed one grom the parts car. Also non operational. Tons of switches out there that are cheap and fit the bill. Problem is those little nubs on the side to hold it in. When mine died I hunted a bit and decided it wasn't worth the cost of "the correct" switch. So, I just took the switch out and soldered then heat shrunk the connection. Now my sunroof always works as it should. Will the arms move with the sunroof out? Sure. Why would you do that though? Unless someone knows something I missed, I don't see the down side to this modification.

Check with plyhammersparts.com

I don't know if he has one in stock but he seems to be constantly updating inventory.

PSU_Crash wrote: Thu Jul 02, 2026 8:04 pm Unless someone knows something I missed, I don't see the down side to this modification.

It provides the up limit for the early mechanism.

On my '88, the switch works fine... but the roof end--that metal tab that pushes on the switch--has sagged or something; it is barely touching when closed.

If I open the roof, it loses contact just a small crack up then I have to push the switch with my finger to keep going.

Anyone experience this? I'm afraid to try and bend the tab for fear of breaking something

Can you share a picture of the switch in question?

While there are certainly some specialty switches available, most that I've seen and replaced seem to have one of maybe six basic switches at their root. Starts with a simple button on a three-screws case, with short or long actuator levers, optional rollers on those. Variations in between, but all based on a common actual switch.

danmartinic wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2026 12:12 pm On my '88, the switch works fine... but the roof end--that metal tab that pushes on the switch--has sagged or something; it is barely touching when closed.

Clark's has a note that the tab can get bent while the roof is removed, and you can bend it back. I'd consider just adding a few layers of tape to achieve the same effect.

For those that have been into this, how is the microswitch attached to the mount? Is it glued in? There is a newer part with part number F1NST8, with nearly identical dimensions, but differing post mounts and pin positions. Looks like it would fit in place, though with some unknowns. Mouser has the F1NST8A1, which has a lever that looks like could be pried off, leaving the remaining F1NST8. At a little over five bucks, I'd take a shot at it if I needed one.


Edit: The original contacts were rated for 5 amps, this one is rated for 1 amp, but it is only driving one of the relay coils in back, so about a quarter of an amp.

944er wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2026 3:53 pm

danmartinic wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2026 12:12 pm On my '88, the switch works fine... but the roof end--that metal tab that pushes on the switch--has sagged or something; it is barely touching when closed.

Clark's has a note that the tab can get bent while the roof is removed, and you can bend it back. I'd consider just adding a few layers of tape to achieve the same effect.

Yes of course.. but I keep hesitating on the tape, hoping for something better. Perhaps @Tom can 3D Print File something to slip on the end