Power window switch

[MarkNYC]

The passenger side power window switch will lower the window but not raise it. However, the driver's side "master switch"will raise and lower the passenger window. Does that point to a bad passenger side switch, loose wire? Any ideas?

Many thanks,
Mark

[markqc]

Most likely it is the passenger switch. I had to replace mine after testing the switch. Check to make sure that it is not loose wiring or connector. Be sure to test the switch with a meter as the replacement switch at the dealer is pricey.

good luck,
Mark

[GregA]

I don't know what year your van is, but I have a wiring diagram for a 2001 HERE. Hope it helps.

Take Care,

[MarkNYC]

Greg,
Thanks for the wiring diagram and procedure. It is a 2001 Montana. I'll troubleshoot the switch and let you know what I find.

Mark

[schnikees]

My 1999 had this happen to the drivers side window switch. I found out how much it cost, so I removed it myself and found that the contacts were all black. I cleaning them with a toothpick and it works again. It was difficult to remove the switch and I think I broke part of it in the process, but I was able to secure it together again and I saved a lot of money.

[1999montana]

Originally Posted by schnikees

My 1999 had this happen to the drivers side window switch. I found out how much it cost, so I removed it myself and found that the contacts were all black. I cleaning them with a toothpick and it works again. It was difficult to remove the switch and I think I broke part of it in the process, but I was able to secure it together again and I saved a lot of money.

I took mine apart too, and yes broke a small piece of plastic off, but it still works.

Oddly, yesterday the passenger window wouldn't go up from the master switch UNTIL I tried the passenger switch in the up position first.
Then the master worked fine.

I've got a gremlin in there somewhere.

Come to think of it, an AMC Gremlin MIGHT be a better vehicle!

(just kidding!)
.

[maelsson]

I have the same problem as above.. I have an 01 Montana as well. At first, my passenger side switch would put the window down but not back up, but the driver's side would work fine. Then driver side stopped working for passenger side altogether (works fine for drivers). I was told by parts guy at GM that the master switch on drivers side gets the feed/circuit first. Is this right? does this sound like the drivers side switch is gone, but the passenger side is still working? I've tried taking the passenger side switch apart, but i was worried about breaking that piece of plastic that others have broken. now that i know it works, i'm not worried about taking it apart and cleaning it.

any help?

thanks,
maelsson

[bigpoppapete]

I have the same problem with mine. The switch would put the motor down but not up. The drivers' side would do the same thing. The more I hear about it ,the more I think the switch is the culprit. I checked the wiring under th carpet and it is fine, not corroded at all( heard it could be a problem).

[Texas10]

Either switch can cause a problem with the other switch's operation. When the passenger switch is unasserted, it simply conducts the two motor connections from the driver switch directly to the motor. When the driver switch is unasserted, it connects both motor connections to ground. When raising or lowering the window with the driver switch, the appropriate signal is connected to battery. When raising or lowering the window with the passenger switch, the battery connection is made to the appropriate motor line while the other side continues to connect through to the output of the drivers switch which will still be at ground. (That's why either switch can cause the function of the other to fail.)

The easiest way to debug this is to measure the voltage at the switch terminals while asserting the different modes.

The failures always seem to be switch contact cleanliness and can be fixed by simply cleaning with an eraser tip or the like -- once you get to the contacts. The switches dissassemble from the botton, with the trickiest part being snapping the switch actuator free from the contact holder. (The switch actuator being the gray pontiac or black chevy rocker button that you see and touch.) It snaps to the lower part on either side at its pivot point. You can release it by pushing a small jewlers screwdriver up to that pivot point (you can't see it) from below once you removed the bottom of the switch.

Kind of a pain, but considering that it's an expense replacement part and probably something you'll have to replace more than once, well worth an attempt.

[01montana]

Hi there,

Was this problem resolved? I'm asking because my 2000 Montana passenger side power window just started acting up. It went down then would not go back up again using either switch. I hit the passenger side door panel a few times and it finally went back up. Now sometimes it wont work at all and sometimes it does. Does this sound like bad switches, loose wires or something else.

I'm not sure if this is related but about a month ago the radio stopped working for a day. The next day it worked fine but half the display lights were out. I hope this is not some sort of electrical gremlin working its way to the back of the van. What's next power sliding doors, power rear windows...?

Thanks,

[Texas10]

Originally Posted by 01montana

Hi there,

Was this problem resolved? I'm asking because my 2000 Montana passenger side power window just started acting up. It went down then would not go back up again using either switch. I hit the passenger side door panel a few times and it finally went back up. Now sometimes it wont work at all and sometimes it does. Does this sound like bad switches, loose wires or something else.

I'm not sure if this is related but about a month ago the radio stopped working for a day. The next day it worked fine but half the display lights were out. I hope this is not some sort of electrical gremlin working its way to the back of the van. What's next power sliding doors, power rear windows...?

Thanks,

I would guess you're problem is not one of the switches, because usually this shows up as only one switch failing in one direction - although, it is not impossible. A more likely cause is the polyswitch in the motor itself failing. The polyswitch limits the current in a stall (top/bottom of travel). When they go bad, they start limitting the current during normal run such that the motor stalls. This is easily identified in that the motor will stop running after it has been moved, but after leaving the switches off several minutes to allow the polyswitch to cool, it will move again. The problem will usually show up in both directions, although sometimes more noticeable in the up direction because of the additional load of the weight of the window.

If it has the characteristics of a polyswitch failure, your repair is to replace the window motor as the polyswitch in the motor is not readily available.

[01montana]

Texas10

Thanks for the info! I'll do some more testing but with the info you have given me it seems like I'll be changing the motor. I'm guessing that's a pretty involved project. Has anyone else done it before, are there any tricks to make it easier?

Thanks

['97ventureowner]

This is a common problem with these vans, (Montana, Venture, Silhouette.) I've owned 2 Ventures and over the years have replaced the switches because they've failed. A big problem is their location, they sit horizontally and catch moisture from the rain if the window was left in the down position,(one of my big problems) I too, would check the contacts and clean them first. You'd be amazed at what collects in something that 5 to 7 years old. If that doesn't work then I'd try replacing the switch first before replacing the motor because the motor is more expensive and I really haven't seen a window motor go bad in these vans.I've seen many vans all the way back to '97, some with over 200,000 miles on them with the original window motors in them. The switches, however in many of them have been replaced, and my sources at various parts departments tell me that they sell quite a bit of them to shops and customers. If your master switch works the pass. side window then more than likely it's the pass. side switch that's gone bad. One thing I've noticed happens is that once the pass. side switch is replaced, the driver's side (master switch) sometimes goes bad a few months later. I also found the GM stealership's prices excessive at my local parts dept. and have found some online sources that were much cheaper including shipping charges. These places are big GM dealership parts depts that sell a lot of parts online. So check and clean the contacts first, then if that doesn't work, try replacing the switch next and see if that solves your problem. Start with the cheapest and most obvious "fix" first. (I've seen switches on eBay for these vehicles also at a good price if that is an option you want to look at.)