Window Woes

[SoCalDMC12]

Hi All,

Having problems with my driver's side window... hoping someone out there might have some suggestions:

For about a year, the window has worked a bit sporadically. Sometimes it would be frozen in the up position, but if I tapped on the switch enough times it would go down. Once down, it could usually be put back up with no problem.

Now, the window is frozen in the up position... no amount of presses on the switch will get it to drop. However, if I momentarily press the "up" side of the switch, I can hear the regulator come to life. I'm hoping that this indicates that the regulator is still alive, but the switch is fried. (Otherwise, it wouldn't make a sound if the "up" side of the switch is pressed, right?)

Wishful thinking, or plausible conclusion?

Cheers!

- Geoff

PS: Note: I keep a plastic cover over the switches to prevent them from being accidentally activated when resting my arm on the console.

[Tillsy]

Pop the switch off the plug, put a paperclip or wire into the socket that has the green and white wire, then insert the other end into one of the two end sockets... Window will either go up it down. Then remove and put into other end socket to reverse.

Will likely confirm regulator is fine and you have a dicky switch.

[Tillsy]

On second though, pop both window switches off and swap them - see if problem transfers to passenger side.

[Jonathan]

My windows did strange things like this when I got my car. I replaced the switches with new ones and they work exactly as they should now. I never had to go in and mess with the window motors or rods. The switch was the culprit and a replacement was the solution (for me anyway, maybe you too).

[DrJeff]

I took my switches apart and cleaned the contacts inside with sand paper. It looked like there was some carbon build up at the contact points. (Switches are expensive and I'm cheap.) The switches had worked intermittently when I got the car. After a cleaning they worked fine although the motors were on their last legs.

IIRC it wasn't too difficult to get the switches apart. I did take photos as I disassembled them and took care not to lose any of the bits. Reassembly was proof that humans really do need 10 fingers despite years of misinformation and propaganda from Disney.

[SoCalDMC12]

Thanks for the input.

Looks like I got lucky... it was just a gunked up switch. I took it out and hit it with some contact cleaner and it works just fine now!