2003 Town Car Master Switch

[pcasciola]

Does the door panel need to be removed to change the power window master switch on an 03 Town Car? I've seen other Lincolns around the same year that talk about prying out the switch panel, but I feel like I'm about to crack the panel when I try to pry it out.

[Towncar]

The retaining fastener is at the center/rear of your switch assembly. The front side of the assembly has "L" tabs that slide out as the rear side is released.

My experience with these fasteners is their very strong spring metal, you would think they were designed to never be removed.

Make sure you use a wide/thin tool, maybe tape the blade to help protect the car parts. If you can feel the spring fastener, you may be able to depress it just a bit to help release the assembly.

Here's a shot of the fasteners: (red arrow)

[pcasciola]

I managed to get the switch panel out, but I broke the front clip. The rear of the panel was exactly the same as the image you posted, but the front is not the L shape as shown in the diagram. On mine the front also lifts straight out, so when I tried to pull it back it snapped. It's a straight up and down plastic tab with a metal clip attached. I figured it was just very tight like the rear clip. Typical Ford to have several versions of every single part.

The problem with this is, if you have the L bracket and you pry straight up you will break it, and if you have my style and pull back you will break it, so you have to guess right. I guess the trick is, once you pry the back off, you have to peek up front to see which style front tab you have.

Here's a photo of mine just in case anyone else has this problem. I just rested the front tab where it used to be for the photo.

[Towncar]

!!CRAP!! Very sorry for the misleading shot from the FSM.

I see you also have clips on the sides near the rear-end.

Thanks for sharing the photo of your actual config. I'm sure we'll get others in here that will make very good use of it.

Do you need help finding a replacement? There are a few classified forums where folks are parting out Lincolns.

[pcasciola]

No problem. Not your fault at all. I'm happy enough to be able to roll down my window again so I can empty my wallet paying for gas without opening the door.

I'm glad we cleared up the two different designs for the next person. If it wasn't for your post I'm sure I would have broke something taking the entire door panel off.

I'm sure a trim panel will pop up on ebay or these classifieds. It's actually in there pretty solid without that front clip so I might not even bother unless I can get one really cheap.