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Vehicles Containing Mercury Convenience Light Switches

Mercury light switches are common in U.S. made passenger cars and pickups. As a general rule, you should assume there is a mercury switch in the hood or trunk convenience lights of:

• Model year 2002 or older GM vehicles.
• Model year 2001 or older Ford vehicles.
• Model year 1998 or older Chrysler vehicles.

Vehicles Likely to Have Mercury-containing Switches

• 1977-1988 Audi 100 (hood/trunk)
• 1980-1988 Audi 200 (hood/trunk)

DaimlerChrysler (Chrysler, Dodge, Eagle, Jeep, Plymouth)

Assume that all vehicles equipped with convenience light assemblies from 1998 and older model year Chrysler Group (Chrysler) vehicles have mercury switches.

Ford Motor Co. (Ford/Lincoln/Mercury/Mazda/Merkur/Volvo)

Cars potentially containing both hood and trunk switches:

• 1996 model year and prior:
  • Ford
  • Lincoln
  • Mercury
  • Merkur
• 2000 model year and prior:
  • Ford Mustang
  • Ford Crown Victoria
  • Mercury Grand Marquis
  • Lincoln Town Car

• Prior to 2002:
  • Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury Trucks, SUVs, and Vans except not 1999 model year
    and newer Ford Econoline, Ford Windstar, Ford Ranger; and Mercury Villager
  • 1993-1997 Mazda Navajo
  • 1995-1999 Mazda B-Series Pick-Up

General Motors (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn, Saab)

• 1998 Model Year and earlier – check all vehicles
• 1999 Model Year – check all vehicles except for the following:
  • Chevrolet Astro
  • Chevrolet Silverado
  • GMC Safari
  • GMC Sierra
• 2000 Model Year— only the following vehicles:
  • Cadillac Escalade (hood)
  • Chevrolet Blazer (hood)
  • Chevrolet Cavalier (hood/trunk)
  • Chevrolet Corvette (hood)
  • Chevrolet Express (hood)
  • GMC Denali (hood)
  • GMC Envoy (hood)
  • GMC Jimmy (hood)
  • GMC Savana (hood)
  • Oldsmobile Bravada (hood)
  • Pontiac Sunfire (trunk)
• 2001 model year – only the following vehicles:
  • Chevrolet Blazer (hood)
  • Chevrolet Cavalier (trunk)
  • Chevrolet Express (hood)
  • GMC Envoy (hood)
  • GMC Jimmy (hood)
  • GMC Savana (hood)
  • Luxury G-Van (hood)
  • Oldsmobile Bravada (hood)
  • Pontiac Sunfire (trunk)
• 2002 model year – only the following vehicles:
  • Chevrolet Blazer (hood)
  • Chevrolet Express (hood)
  • Chevrolet S-10 Crew cab (hood)
  • GMC Savanna (hood)
  • GMC Sonoma Crew cab (hood)
  • Luxury G-Van (hood)

Honda (None)
Mitsubishi (None)
Nissan (None)
Subaru (None)
Toyota (None)
Volkswagen (None)
Volvos from 1991 model year and prior contain glass mercury switches.

2003 model year and newer vehicles DO NOT contain mercury light switches.

For more information, contact Jan Brydsen at jbry461@ecy.wa.gov or call 509-575-2477.

Related information

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Vehicle Recycling Manual: A Guide for Vehicle Recycling  is an Ecology publication that can assist Auto Recyclers with dangerous-waste management.

You Auto Recycle  is a VHS video that can be ordered from Ecology.

Auto Mercury Switch Removal Program reimburses three dollars per mercury-containing switch. Auto recyclers and scrap-metal processors now have a chance to earn cash while helping to protect our future.

Fact Sheet: Removal of vehicle mercury switch assemblies is a simple two-page fact sheet from Ecology on how to safely remove mercury switch assemblies.

Mercury Switch Removal Poster is an Ecology poster listing the affected switches to hang in your shop.

Mercury Switch-Removal Guide is an Ecology publication for mechanics and auto recyclers about replacing switches.

Manage Waste for Auto Recyclers offers guidance for dangerous-waste management for auto recycling facilities.

Common Wastes for Auto Recyclers describes materials that may be dangerous wastes.