How to repair window switches

This is the second time it has happened (2 different doors) but I was in a hurry and never did a write up for the first. The rear passanger window wouldn't go up anymore so it was time to clean the contacts on the switch. This is a very common problem with momentary switches and relays of all sorts. Some you can repair and others you have to replace. I have seen this on limit switches as well. Any time there is a make or break of power it produces an arc on the copper contacts. Over time the contact becomes so coated it prevents the transfer of power.

This repair is all about "gentle" prying!!!!

The switch pops out of the door trim by prying on one end.
Next you remove the switch from the bezel by prying at the tabs.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...DSCF2999-1.jpg

Now seperate the toggle from the housing by prying at the pivot point of the toggle.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...DSCF2997-1.jpg

Now remove the white plastic bottom by prying the tabs.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...DSCF2998-1.jpg

The circuit card will now slide out the bottom. Carefully pry the toggle off the card at the pivot point again.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...DSCF2996-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...DSCF2995-1.jpg

Now remove the contact strips. When turned over you can see the black build up on the contact points.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...DSCF2989-1.jpg

Remove the build up with the magic #2 pencil eraser. This also works wonders on battery contact points for flashlights. I can't count the number of times this was the fix for NVG's or EO Tech sights.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...DSCF2993-1.jpg

The contact on the board can be first cleaned by breaking of a piece of eraser then scraping the pit formed by the contact point with the tip of a screwdriver or tweezers.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...DSCF2994-1.jpg

Carefully reinstall the contact strip then reassemble everything in reverse. Test the toggle on the circuit card before proceeding past this point.
Everything should work good as new.

If the switch was filled with the kids pop or juice, use alcohol and some Q-tips to clean the board once dissasembled. The contact strip where it meets the toggle can be re-lubed with di-electric grease or chapstick.

The driver's side is basically the same but you have to pry all the black switches off to remove the circuit card. From that point you remove the toggle that needs cleaning.

Awesome man thanks I'll give this a try my passenger switch on the drivers door only works when it wants to now.

Mine "bounces back" by closing and opening mid way if I let it go up by itself. I can control it by carefully closing it but it always bothered me. Do you know I this is related to the contacts too or is a different problem? I want to know before I open everything...

I have a similar question. The auto up feature on my passenger window stopped working, the down works fine. Would this work for my problem too?

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Mine "bounces back" by closing and opening mid way if I let it go up by itself. I can control it by carefully closing it but it always bothered me. Do you know I this is related to the contacts too or is a different problem? I want to know before I open everything...

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I think your switch might be faulty. There is the chance that something is broken inside or it is possible that the contact strip slipped.

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I have a similar question. The auto up feature on my passenger window stopped working, the down works fine. Would this work for my problem too?

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This is a dirty contact strip preventing the auto up and you will be able to repair the issue. The auto up has an extra contact that enables the auto function when the switch is maxed out.

Let me know if anyone needs pictures of the auto up for the driver's switch and I will pull my switch apart.

Im not trying to derail this thread. If your windows arent working right, auto up not acting right , or whatever, you can try resetting them first. Put the window all the way up and then continue holding the switch up for 20 seconds. Now put the window down and then continue holding the switch down for 20 seconds. NNow go back up and continue holding switch for 10 seconds. Now try the auto up and down and see what happens. This procedure has worked many times for myself and other owners. Some may have to adjust the time that you hold the switch ( Ive seen as much as 30 seconds and as little as 10 seconds ). Try it, its quick and easy.

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Originally Posted by NeilSmith

Im not trying to derail this thread. If your windows arent working right, auto up not acting right , or whatever, you can try resetting them first. Put the window all the way up and then continue holding the switch up for 20 seconds. Now put the window down and then continue holding the switch down for 20 seconds. NNow go back up and continue holding switch for 10 seconds. Now try the auto up and down and see what happens. This procedure has worked many times for myself and other owners. Some may have to adjust the time that you hold the switch ( Ive seen as much as 30 seconds and as little as 10 seconds ). Try it, its quick and easy.

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Thanks! I am gonna have to try this before disassembling everything.

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Originally Posted by Pixelcodex

Mine "bounces back" by closing and opening mid way if I let it go up by itself. I can control it by carefully closing it but it always bothered me. Do you know I this is related to the contacts too or is a different problem? I want to know before I open everything...

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There is a TSP for this. My XK did the same thing when it was brand new and the dealer replaced everything for me. I'm having a brain fart as to what exactly they replaced but both front door pannels had to come off. It had nothing to do with the actual buttons you press to make the windows go up and down.

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Originally Posted by NeilSmith

Im not trying to derail this thread. If your windows arent working right, auto up not acting right , or whatever, you can try resetting them first. Put the window all the way up and then continue holding the switch up for 20 seconds. Now put the window down and then continue holding the switch down for 20 seconds. NNow go back up and continue holding switch for 10 seconds. Now try the auto up and down and see what happens. This procedure has worked many times for myself and other owners. Some may have to adjust the time that you hold the switch ( Ive seen as much as 30 seconds and as little as 10 seconds ). Try it, its quick and easy.

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UPDATE. Remembered to try it yesterday as I was driving back home, and it solved the issue for me! The auto up works as supposed to and does not open back up halfway as it did before. I figured I would document for people who have the same problem. I will report back if the behavior returns, but so far so good.

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Originally Posted by Pixelcodex

UPDATE. Remembered to try it yesterday as I was driving back home, and it solved the issue for me! The auto up works as supposed to and does not open back up halfway as it did before. I figured I would document for people who have the same problem. I will report back if the behavior returns, but so far so good.

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cool. glad it worked for ya.