2002 Explorer Drivers Window Motor or Switch?

I have a 2002 Explorer XLT. The drivers side window began working intermittently, then one day quit working all together, thankfully in the up position!! At that time it smelled like something burning or melting. I have the Haynes repair manual to instruct me on removal of the door panel. However, how do I know if it is just the motor or the switch too?? And are there instructions somewhere detailing how to replace those once you have the panel off? All other power windows on the truck work.

I have a 2002 Explorer XLT. The drivers side window began working intermittently, then one day quit working all together, thankfully in the up position!! At that time it smelled like something burning or melting. I have the Haynes repair manual to instruct me on removal of the door panel. However, how do I know if it is just the motor or the switch too?? And are there instructions somewhere detailing how to replace those once you have the panel off? All other power windows on the truck work.

If you had a burning smell, you might actually have an advantage at trouble shooting. Try smelling in the drivers door switch to see if the burning smell is stronger than the other switch. If so I would suspect the switch.

The switches are all close together so it might be hard to tell. If you can't really tell then take the panel of and see if the smell is stronger in the motor area or the switch area. Aslo usually when a switch goes bad the action on it will be different due to melted parts inside, so see if it clicks differently than the others (harder or softer etc).

Finaly if that doesn't work, take the harness plug off the back and check for continuity or, if all the switches have the same connector on the back of them (a lot of times they do). Connect one of your other switches to the drivers and see if it works.

Good luck and keep us posted,

Denis

Thank you. There was a burning smell coming from the door panel. The "button" for that window became warm to the touch at that time as well and is certainly not as easy to push as the others, although not hard. But almost like it sticks as if there were melted components in there.

I'd guess you have a bad switch. Hopefully your switch just went for a crap and it wasn't something else that caused the switch to melt. I have seen before where the contacts get burnt and get to a point where they just arc to much that they burn up. hopefully replacing the switch will solve your problem.

My theory behind a switch going bad prematurely is over use or someone tapping on the switch so it just barely comes on and turns off instantly (nervous twitch):evillol: . This causes an arc, which burns the contacts, which heats the switch, which melts.

Denis

Mine has the same problem bad switch. Now my other problem we are in a ice storm and my window is 3/4 the way down. How do i pop the trim pieces off to get the switch out? How much does the switch cost and can I get it at a parts store or will I have to go through a dealership? Thanks

Do not buy from the dealer unless you want stock new. I found mine on the web through a salvage yard out of state and paid half the price. I even put it in myself!!! Piece of cake and I spent $50 including shipping and handling. Would have cost me over $100 for just the part at the dealer plus if you pay someone to install it.