2004 - 2008 F-150
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

Driver's side window problem (How to)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 14, 2008 | 09:59 AM
  #1  
SmokeyBear's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 360
Likes: 1
From: Ky
Driver's side window problem (How to)

I fixed my driver's side window problem last night for $0. Here is how it's done:

1 Pry off driver's side window switch panel. It's not hard just pull straight up on where it meets the door panel.

2 Remove the wire connectors by pressing on the tab and pulling straight out.

3 Remove the switch box by using a knife or small screwdriver to unlatch the tabs. This is what you will have...


4 Remove the buttons by using a knife or small flat screwdriver. Pry as close to the middle of the switch gently until the button pops off. There is a clear rubber cover under the window buttons that may or may not come off with the switch, take those off too and set them aside. (WARNING) There is a very small spring and rod under the window lock button be very careful not to lose it. Your windows will not work if that is not placed back because there will be no pressure on the contact.

5 Separate the case halfs by once again using a knife or small screwdriver to release the tabs. If this is the first time you've taken the switch apart you'll have to cut the sticker on the end to seperate them.

6 This is what you will end up with...

This ONE contact was VERY black, you could tell it was the bad one just by comparing it to the others. (BTW you can get to the LEDs for the switches here too for those of you who want to change these out for a different color.)

7 Using a piece of 400 or finer sandpaper, fold it in half so that you can clean both contacts at the same time, slide it between the contacts on the rear of the driver's side switch. The contact is pictured here...


8 Gently clean the contact making sure not to bend it upwards as that will result in you having to push harder on the switch to make the contacts meet.

9 Put it all back together and enjoy a working switch.

PS, sorry about the crappy pics, it was twighlight and all I had was a cell phone.
 

Last edited by SmokeyBear; Jun 26, 2008 at 09:16 AM. Reason: fix pics
Reply
Old May 14, 2008 | 10:05 AM
  #2  
lenore's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 521
Likes: 7
From: Sacramento, CA
great writeup, very informative. sometimes i put contact cleaner on to prevent corrosion.
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2008 | 10:40 AM
  #3  
jrbhc8's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
My passenger side switch acts up. The passenger will roll down the window and not be able to roll it back up. So I roll it up from the drivers side and they try again and it works fine.

Do you think I should try this on my truck?

jrbhc8
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2008 | 10:54 AM
  #4  
SmokeyBear's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 360
Likes: 1
From: Ky
Originally Posted by jrbhc8
My passenger side switch acts up. The passenger will roll down the window and not be able to roll it back up. So I roll it up from the drivers side and they try again and it works fine.

Do you think I should try this on my truck?

jrbhc8

I would give it a shot, it sounds like the contact is corroded/burnt to me. Besides, it's free to try and if it isn't the problem then you've at least ruled that part out.
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2008 | 11:35 AM
  #5  
hivoltagefx4's Avatar
Senior Member
Truck of the Month
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,774
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, Va.
Nice write up. Will have to file this for future use if this ever comes up.
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2008 | 11:39 AM
  #6  
azmidget91's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 0
From: Maricopa, AZ


people have been doing this for years, i did it several times and ended up buying a new switch so i didnt have to do it every other week, electrical contact cleaner can be found at radio shack it helps a bit
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2008 | 11:48 AM
  #7  
SmokeyBear's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 360
Likes: 1
From: Ky
Originally Posted by azmidget91


people have been doing this for years, i did it several times and ended up buying a new switch so i didnt have to do it every other week, electrical contact cleaner can be found at radio shack it helps a bit

Hello from 2005, I know it's been done, but when I searched I couldn't find a write up with pictures or showing the way to get to the correct contacts.
 
Reply

Trending Topics

Old Jun 25, 2008 | 11:13 AM
  #8  
OK04FX4's Avatar
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Looks like the link to the pictures are no good anymore. Smokey Bear, could you get those back up for me. I am going to look at my switch this weekend and remembered seeing this thread a while ago and wanted to take a look at it again.

Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2008 | 09:17 AM
  #9  
SmokeyBear's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 360
Likes: 1
From: Ky
Originally Posted by OK04FX4
Looks like the link to the pictures are no good anymore. Smokey Bear, could you get those back up for me. I am going to look at my switch this weekend and remembered seeing this thread a while ago and wanted to take a look at it again.

Thanks!

thar yar!
 
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2008 | 08:53 AM
  #10  
OK04FX4's Avatar
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by SmokeyBear
thar yar!
I appreciate it!

I probably would have made it okay, but I thought the pictures were very helpful and want to ensure that I don't break anything tomorrow.

(I guess you still haven't had anymore problems with it?)
 
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2008 | 09:16 AM
  #11  
SmokeyBear's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 360
Likes: 1
From: Ky
Originally Posted by OK04FX4
I appreciate it!

I probably would have made it okay, but I thought the pictures were very helpful and want to ensure that I don't break anything tomorrow.

(I guess you still haven't had anymore problems with it?)
working like a charm.
 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2008 | 06:39 AM
  #12  
svt2205's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 0
From: Sunapee, NH
For those who've done this, how long did your switch work before the problem came back. Mine is starting to act up again, after maybe 3 months. Anyone know the part number for the switch on a supercab?
 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2008 | 10:06 AM
  #13  
Turd Furguson's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 517
Likes: 1
From: Kentucky
I need to do this on my drivers side also.....THANKS
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2009 | 06:48 PM
  #14  
nesman89's Avatar
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Perfect. I have had this problem for about a year and I fixed it in 20 minutes. Thanks
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2009 | 06:56 PM
  #15  
Ace85's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
My driverside window has been acting up also will have to do this. Thanks for the writeup.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:59 AM.