Driver side window switch

[Anonymous User]

So the switch that is supposed to roll the driver side window up & down. Stopped working yesterday, what could be wrong? Right before it stopped working the switch had a problem rolling up the window, like i had to wiggle it or something to start it tohelp the window roll up. What could be the problem?

Thanks

['97ventureowner]

Best thing to do is to check for the simplest, cheapest fix. That would be to lift off the panel that holds the switch and check for loose connections/wiring. At this time it might be a good idea to clean all contact surfaces and reinstall the connectors. If that doesn't do the trick, make sure power is getting to the switch. If power is present then you'll probably have to replace the switch itself.The drivers side switch is considered a master switch in that it also controls the passenger side window. This makes that switch slightly more expensive than the passenger side switch.
Another piece of advice I'd like to pass along is when you have the panel that holds the switch on the door open and accessible, it would be a good time to spray a little moisture dispersing spray like WD 40 on the wiring and connectors. One reason these switches have problems is moisture from rain and snow. How many times have you accidentally left your window open even a little bit and it rained? Or in the winter, sometimes during a heavy snow, you open your door to gain access to your vehicle and some snow falls into the van. Where does it usually end up? On top of the panel that houses the switches. When that snow melts, the water has to go somewhere and it usually infiltrates the area below the housing. Same as when rain enters a vehicle, it usually ends up pooling on the housing, and that's where problems can start. At least with a little spray on the connections and wires you can alleviate some of the problem.

[shooter_va]

Ours did exact the same thing. It's a bad switch. I purchased a new one and no more problems. I dissected the old switch and found that the contacts were bad, they looked like they arced out. See this photo:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/ga...cat=503&page=1
BTW, the Chevy dealer's price for the switch was cheaper than Advance or Autozone.

[fanta2]

Hey Shooter VA - in your photo, is that blue thing the diode/LED that illuminates the switch at night?

[shooter_va]

Originally Posted by fanta2

Hey Shooter VA - in your photo, is that blue thing the diode/LED that illuminates the switch at night?

Yes, that's the diode for the illumination, but in order to get to it, you have to destroy the switch because the locking tabs for the rocker switches are below the plastic housing and are not accessible. It seems like they assemble the whole switch and then pop on the bottons.

[Anonymous User]

Originally Posted by shooter_va

Ours did exact the same thing. It's a bad switch. I purchased a new one and no more problems. I dissected the old switch and found that the contacts were bad, they looked like they arced out. See this photo:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/ga...cat=503&page=1
BTW, the Chevy dealer's price for the switch was cheaper than Advance or Autozone.

When your switch stopped working. Did both switches stop or did only one? Because Only the drivers window switch stopped, but the passenger window still is able to be controlled.

Also I noticed after the switch stopped working, that when I touch the door to close it I get a slight shock like something is grounding out on my driver door.

does Anyone know the procedure to remove the driver side door?

[shooter_va]

When your switch stopped working. Did both switches stop or did only one? Because Only the drivers window switch stopped, but the passenger window still is able to be controlled.

Only the driver's side switch and only the switch for the driver's side window. I was still able to operate the passenger's side with the driver's side switch.
I had the door panel off before but can't exactly remember how. I think I removed the switches, the inside door handle and then popped off the panel - it wasn't hard.