QuestionQUESTION: I'd REALLY appreciate your help with this one.
I own a 2002 Ford Explorer. A few months back my driver-side window went down by itself ... yes, by itself ... and wouldn't go back up. So, I ordered a new switch, thinking that was the problem. I put it in and my window worked great ... for a few weeks. Then, turning on my car one night, the window went DOWN again BY ITSELF. Couldn't believe it! Being under warranty, I replaced it again, and two weeks later, AGAIN the same problem.
Needless to say, I'm frustrated. When I hit the "UP" button, I here a small click, but nothing happens. Then I'll here a little click as if somethingw went off and when I try pressing the "UP" button again, I hear nothing. Yet, after pressing it several times again, or just wait a little while, I'll here the click again when I try raising the window. It's like it's trying to work but can't (I don't here any motor sound ... just a clic).
Your help would be so appreciated! Do I need a new motor/regulator? Why after getting new switches would it work for a little while and then break again?
Thank you!
ANSWER: Hi Jordan,
From what you tell me in your question I suspect that the switch is working properly. The click you here is the window relay. Further more it would be highly unlikely that you were unlucky enough to get two defective switches in a row. Give these two "non-technical tests" a try.
1. With the ignition off remove the pigtail connectors from the window switch. Turn the ignition switch to "on" but don't start the engine. Re-connect the window switch pig tails and see if the window starts working again. If that doesn't get the window up, go to step 2.
2. Start the engine with the car in "Park." Open the driver door. With your right hand reach over and press / hold the button to raise the window. With your left hand shut the door firmly while holding the switch button.
If neither of these "tricks" gets the window up, you'll have to go to someone with the electrical expertise to trouble-shoot the switch and motor circuit.
Feel free to send a follow up question if you wish.
Ben ... the power window guy
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello again!
Thanks so much for you help. I tried those two procedures with no avail, so took it into the shop yesterday and he told me the switch was burnt out on my driver side. He said it's actually acting as if someone was pressing "down" and not letting go. Being my 3rd switch, however, he said it could be that I have a bad motor and that it's burning out the switch everytime.
Does that sound reasonable? Time to buy a new motor? Obviously it's not cheap so I just want to double-check. What a strange problem to have. Anyway, thank you!
AnswerHi Jordan,
Glad to hear the problem was the switch since that should have been covered under warranty.
I have never encountered a situation where the motor is responsible for causing a switch to fail, but I guess there is a first time for everything. I would certainly wait at least a month or so to see it this switch fails again before replacing the motor.
Ben ... the power window guy
