Auto Glass: 94 Ford Taurus Window issues, ford taurus, window switches

Question
Hi Ben, I have a 1994 Ford Taurus and the front passenger side window will go down but not up. The driver side up down button will also make it go down but not up. I live in Washington State which rains a lot so I'm vested in getting this fixed quickly! From what I've read so far I'm thinking that it's the main switch on the drivers side that is the culprit. I have one window in the back that has been unable to go up or down for years now and since I rarely have back seat passengers I didn't want to spend the $$ the Ford dealer was asking for the motor. So do you think I'm right in purchasing the switch and putting it in myself?

Answer
Hi Pax,

Window switches are not returnable so I never advise replacing one without doing the proper diagnosis first.  However, you probably don't have the necessary tools, experience, etc. to make the diagnosis or you wouldn't be asking for my opinion.  Here are a couple of pointers that may help.

The most frequent window problem I see on this vintage of Taurus is a faulty motor.  Let's see if we can rule out a bad window motor before we assume the switch is bad.  Do as follows:

1.  Start the car and leave it in Park.

2.  Be sure that the "window lock" button on the master switch is not depressed.

3.  Sit in the passenger front seat and open the passenger door.

4.  With your left hand reach over and press and hold the switch to raise the window.

5.  With your right hand pull the door shut firmly.

If the window doesn't go up on the first try, repeat steps 4 and 5 a couple more times.

By slamming the door while you hold the switch you are "jogging" the motor and that is usually enough to get the window up even though it is not a permanent solution to a failing motor.

If slamming the door, etc. doesn't get the window to work, you probably have a bad switch or a broken wire.  Rather than buy a new switch from Ford, why not contact a local salvage yard for a used switch.  Although salvaged parts don't typically come with more than a 30 day warranty the failure rate on this vintage of window switch is quite low, so I don't think the risk of another failure is very high.  That way if it turns out not to be a bad switch you have only wasted about half as much money.

Let me know how else I can help.

Ben ... the power window guy