SOLVED: The Secret to Fixing Your Power Window Switch Problems!

POWER WINDOWS WON'T WORK? HOW TO FIX A COMMON PROBLEM IN YOUR SWITCH.
#mechanics
#diy
Have your power windows stopped working? Do they roll down but not up? Or roll up but not down? Or just don't work at all?
Most window switches are built very similar. Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Honda, Toyota, and even this Can-Am side by side all operate very similar. In this video I show you how to take the switches apart and how to fix a very common problem.
It is an easy DIY that requires no expensive tools. Hopefully what I show in this video helps you save a lot of money.
You are ready to buy a new switch right? Why not take it apart and see what's going on inside? What should you check first? Watch and find out.
If you are unsure of what you are trying to diagnose or repair, please contact a qualified mechanic. There is nothing wrong with asking for help.
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All opinions and reviews are my own, and I am not being paid by Snap On , Milwaukee Tools or any other tool companies. You will receive an honest opinion from a professional mechanic, with twenty plus years experience who uses the tools daily. Snap on and Milwaukee tools are for use in the transportation industry including: automotive, commercial transport, heavy duty, marine, aviation and railway industries.
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Disclaimer:
Due to the factors beyond the control of "Shaners Mechanic Life," I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. "Shaners Mechanic Life" assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. "Shaners Mechanic Life" recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and/or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to the factors beyond the control of "Shaners Mechanic Life," no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, property damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not "Shaners Mechanic Life."
The information and/or advice given in this video is no replacement for the services and knowledge of a qualified, certified mechanic, when in doubt of what to do seek a qualified professional.

[@user-eh7kb6us2s]

I've already replaced the switch once in my 2-year old Can Am and have the problem again. This video explains the problem clearly, shows you the fine detail and the likely fix, all with some helpful hints. Excellent video; if only they were all this clear and helpful!

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

I have heard that rolling driver and passenger windows down at the same time can cause the contacts to arc, causing premature failure. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@leonessity]

When I purchased my first vehicle, in the late 90s, it was more like a tank, than a car. It was an old Pontiac Grand LeMans. Before I could insure it, though, it needed to go through a full mechanical inspection, so I had my work cut out for me. Of the many lessons I learned while rebuilding that car, the most important one was how to decide if a part needs replacing, or as in this video, a servicing. I think videos like this one are so valuable to those who may be between paychecks, when a problem arises. Vehicles rarely ever break down when it is convenient and playing parts replacement roulette can result in other things going wrong, therefore costing more money and being inconvenienced for a longer period of time. There used to be low cost repair kits for alternators, wiper motors, and most anything, back in the day, but as there are more autos than ever before, most mechanics don't have the time to be repairing parts anymore, so most shops replace parts, instead, which is unfortunate. It used to be cheaper to repair parts, than to replace parts... However, If you are going to replace a part, anyhow, why not sacrifice it for better knowledge? This video was clear, concise and an easy watch, with a great message! Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Shaner!

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Great comment, thanks for watching. Not many people fix parts anymore. During the pandemic some parts were not available. I found myself repairing them again. I found you learn more trying to fix them.

[@mohammedhawasli1]

You're the best for showing us this brother. I fixed my rear passenger window switch on my 2009 impreza. Same process. 30min job. Saved 80$

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Awesome to hear. More people replace rather than repair these days. Thanks for watching.

[@cindyknox4333]

Tks so much, just fixed this myself thanks to your video!! Husband was ready to just buy a new one!!!

[@paulbeaudoin7428]

2 year old CAN-AM. Excellent step by step instructions and video made this fix easy! Windows up/down as new. Thanks again

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

You're very welcome. Glad it worked out for you. Thanks for watching.

[@perryhulst7136]

Thanks for the tip. It worked great. Not sure if I did something but I lost the auto up and down of the drivers window. Small price to pay though.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Glad it helped

[@gilbertroy9784]

I use a pencil eraser to clean the carbon off the contacts, it's less abrasive. Usually there's a layer of silver on the contacts, if you use sand paper you'll take it off.😊

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

I'll have to try that next time. Thanks for watching, and I appreciate your feedback.

[@widarkarpinski5763]

I simply love this!!!🙂 You save money and you spare the planet. I'm definitely gonna try this on my old Fiat Grande Punto, where the power window in the front passenger side won't go either way 🙂

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Thanks for the great comment. The way I figure you have nothing to lose. If you are sure the problem is in the switch and are prepared to buy a new one, it's a win win. Save money and waste. Let me know how it works for you Thanks for watching.

[@KTPDAILY]

BRO! YOU ARE THE MAN! THANK YOU A BUNCH!!!

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

You are welcome. I'm glad my video was helpful for you. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@garnetjones-i4z]

Excellent instructional video. Thanks.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

You're welcome. Thanks for the great feedback.

[@ChrisTheBmxGuy]

Had to do something similar to my truck but it was a brakelight switch. Its a 85 dodge d150 that no one makes the switch for (or get a nos for like $150). Took it apart and found out someone else went in and modified it before to get cruise control working. Found the same part from a 90s jeep but the plunger and plug was different. Took the 2 and made one that works like new for my truck. Sometimes its a necessity to fix it yourself lol

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Great troubleshooting. You're right. Sometimes you have no choice but to repair yours or build a new part. Thanks for watching.

[@bigdaddy4197]

Thank you so much Shaner fixed my Defender. Love the bike but these windows and AC are a real problem. If you have a fix on the AC i know its a big problem. Keep up the good work.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Glad I could help. Thanks for watching and the great comment. I appreciate your feedback.

[@CanadianCanAm]

Thanks for the video.... helped and fixed the problem on my 2021 CanAm Defender. Excellent video and saved me $$$. Thank you.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Really happy to hear about my video helping you. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@paulmazzarella9735]

Thanks for doing this video, saved me a lot of time and $$ on a couple 2021 Defenders.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Very happy my video was able to help you. I heard that the switches are less likely to fail like that if you only roll one window down at a time. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@jetskifreak2000]

You the man. Thanks for the tip. It worked great for me.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Glad my video was able to help you. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@debdugar7512]

Great thanks another! Very informative!

[@debdugar7512]

I meant thanks alot

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

You're very welcome. Glad you enjoyed my video

[@ruggedrickrude1946]

No matter if you reuse the one you have by fixing it or if you buy a new one you still have the time invested of taking it out so it’s a win-win situation

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

The way I figure is if you are ready to buy a new one, you have nothing to lose by trying to fix the old one. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@carold.7907]

Question... My power window switch is not working and I've tested 2 new switches and they don't work. However I noticed the light on the switch was off but the mirror light on the switch, which is separate, was working. Is it safe to assume then that there is no power going to the switch? If the window motor was dead would that have anything to do with no power at the switch? This is the driver master switch. All the fuses are fine. I can't get any power to all the windows from this switch but the other windows work from the other 3 doors.

[@plumberguy5267]

I have the same problem with my defender, will try this. Thanks!,

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Hope it works for you. Let me know. Thanks for watching.

[@plumberguy5267]

Success!! Really easy and had it fixed in about a half hour. 👍 Thanks again!!

[@mikesalois3028]

Thanks a bunch, great video

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

You are very welcome. Thanks for watching and the great feedback.

[@janniefloyd3453]

Best explain and detail video thank you

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Thank you for the great comment and for watching. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@yolisurich4025]

I have a 93 eldorado can I take that one apart

[@ezequielreymundez2057]

Hello! Thanks for the video! Can you tell me what did you said after black dot 3:42? Cheers from Argentina

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

The black dot is arcing. It's metal transfer from one contact to another. If it gets bad enough it will cause switch not to work. Thanks for watching.

[@cathykenny6440]

Hi. nice video .i had same problem with my defender limited..followed your video and cleaned up the contacts ..installed it .worked fine but the light in the switch no longer worked.Took it apart again i had the springs in the wrong holes .they must be in the correct slots for the light to work .Works fine now hopefully lasts awhile..thanks great video

[@v4seaa]

Awesome ! Thanks a lot for you video !!!

[@OnionCreekWizard]

Great Video. I have done this cleanup and the switches stop ed working again after about 20 uses. Any ideas how to make the switches last longer

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

I read that apparently the switches wear out quicker if you roll down multiple windows at the same time. Thanks for commenting. Also these switches are exposed to alot of moisture when the door opens and closes in the rain.

[@wpatters1229]

What about some electronic grease that will help with the contacts staying clean?@@shanersmechaniclife3164

[@willysfish]

How did you get the switch assembly out of the door to begin with? a flat head screwdriver and being careful? That would have been an enhancement to this awesome video. Just went hunting and left the windows down as the worked intermittently.

[@Southern195]

That’s what I want to know. Ours just went out in our Can Am and I don’t want to break it taking it out.

[@paulbeaudoin7428]

@@Southern195 I used a plastic body molding removal tool and gently pried out the outer ring top and bottom. The whole switch comes out with beauty ring.

[@ruggedrickrude1946]

I have a 2003 Lincoln. I took out the master window switch on the drivers door and the button for the front drivers window is auto so once you push it, it takes the window down automatically and you can take your finger off the button. well it wasn’t working so I looked underneath the switch. Once I got the whole unit out, I popped the button offand a piece of plastic was broke so I took one of the other buttons off the window switch and put it on top of the front drivers window one used it and it went up and down so the switch that you touch to push the window up and down was actually the problem not the whole unit unit itself

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Great diag. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@ruggedrickrude1946]

@@shanersmechaniclife3164 YW

[@davidnagy9045]

Nice video! Thank you!

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Your welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the great comment.

[@jamesortega8681]

what about switches with printed boards in them would that still apply? mine goes down with one tap and doesnt go up

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Switches with printed circuit boards have less moving parts inside. Most of those have small microswitches. Not much you can do. But... if your ready to buy a switch, why not open it and see what you can do.

[@filitamayo]

Do you know why the lights wouldnt work at times . Sometimes they turn on and sometimes they dont. Switches work fine

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

I believe there are contacts in the switch for the lights to, as the switch moves with the lights in it. Could be same issue as windows not working. Let me know what you find.

[@filitamayo]

@shanersmechaniclife3164 I'm thinking it's gonna be my bcm. I have other electrical issues that are controlled by bcm. Sometimes the dome lights turn on when I open driver door. And sometimes they won't. My ac Blower ramps up randomly at times. Now my driver door won't unlock but all other doors do. My manuel shifter isn't working anymore . So I'm starting to think the bcm is going bad. 🤔

[@robertbennett212]

How do you know that it’s not the regulator or motor? Mine goes up on the passenger side with difficulty and it binds up. It rained one day and the switch panel got soaked. It hasn’t been right since.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

I tested for power and ground to the motor and power in and out of switch.

[@stephendownes6331]

I activated the motor with the probe and it worked so repaired the switch just like this. Once did the same thing with a circular saw I could not get repaired, just rotated this little cube which was the contact that had been eaten out by arcing to a fresh face, so when it happens again I can just do same thing but suspect saw has more years left than me.

[@viktorvik1973]

nice!

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Thanks, glad you liked it. I enjoy repairing sometimes rather than replacing.

[@jamesward5721]

Fixing the actual power window motor is not hugely different - it's usually just lack of lube/contact.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

A lot of parts can be repaired rather than replaced. If parts aren't available sometimes you have no choice.

[@user-ud5fn8qd1m]

Thank u.. ur freaking 😊

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Very happy that my video was able to help you. Thanks for watching and the great feedback.

[@wpatters1229]

What about spraying some electrical spray cleaner inside were the contacts are and work the switch back and forth to clean the contacts? Anyone try that?

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

If that is tried, I would make sure it is fully dry, which is tough without disassembling the switch before applying power.

[@wpatters1229]

I would use a spray can of air and a hairdryer. The liquid for the electrical cleaner seems to work even if there is still some dampness. Taking it apart is a disaster unless you are ready to buy a new one!@@shanersmechaniclife3164

[@chrisrhoads8256]

Hand 🖐 crank the best ole school 🚸 the best 🤛👊🤜👍💪👌

[@illwill9396]

No thanks. I'll just spend the 13$. Bcuz I don't have the patience for trying to put that switch back together. Bcuz I guarantee u it's not gonna go as smoothly for me as it did for this guy.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Lol. It's definitely not a repair you want to try after too much coffee.