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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@garnetjones-i4z]

Excellent instructional video. Thanks.

[@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.

[@v4seaa]

Awesome ! Thanks a lot for you video !!!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@janniefloyd3453]

Best explain and detail video thank you

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

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

[@mikesalois3028]

Thanks a bunch, great video

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

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

[@davidnagy9045]

Nice video! Thank you!

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!!

[@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.

[@viktorvik1973]

nice!

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@user-ud5fn8qd1m]

Thank u.. ur freaking 😊

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

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

[@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

[@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

[@yolisurich4025]

I have a 93 eldorado can I take that one apart

[@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. 🤔

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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