How to clean your window switch contacts
#1
2020 Sport
Thread Starter
How to clean your window switch contacts
Majority of the time when your window will not roll up or down can be related to dirty contacts on the window switch. My drivers side and rear window started acting up and after cleaning all contacts I have never had an issue since. Following this tutorial may eliminate this issue and hopefully save you a few bucks on buying a new switch or paying Ford to diagnose the issue which may result in a hefty bill. Total time to clean 1 (one) switch should take no more than 10 minutes.
The pictures below show a window switch for passenger and rear window but the same apply to the drivers side. This also applies to year models 04 and up (not sure if it may apply to anything below a 04, others may confirm).
Before we begin you need to pop the top of your window switch door cover off which can be scary for some but just give it a tug and it will pop right off. Next unplug the wire harness from the back of the switch and remove the switch from the door cover.
#3 - In the red squares below you will see where the contacts are made to roll up or down your window when the white rocker switch is pushed forward or backwards. Under those those contacts is where dirt and grim can get built up and interfere with the connection. Make sure to clean on the back side of them as well as the main contacts (noted in second picture)
This picture shows a dirty and clean contact. I used a wire brush attachment off my Dremel to buff them up. You can also use small piece of sand paper or a little q-tip with some rubbing alcohol which does a great job.
Remember to clean under this:
and clean this:
The pictures below show a window switch for passenger and rear window but the same apply to the drivers side. This also applies to year models 04 and up (not sure if it may apply to anything below a 04, others may confirm).
Before we begin you need to pop the top of your window switch door cover off which can be scary for some but just give it a tug and it will pop right off. Next unplug the wire harness from the back of the switch and remove the switch from the door cover.
#3 - In the red squares below you will see where the contacts are made to roll up or down your window when the white rocker switch is pushed forward or backwards. Under those those contacts is where dirt and grim can get built up and interfere with the connection. Make sure to clean on the back side of them as well as the main contacts (noted in second picture)
This picture shows a dirty and clean contact. I used a wire brush attachment off my Dremel to buff them up. You can also use small piece of sand paper or a little q-tip with some rubbing alcohol which does a great job.
Remember to clean under this:
and clean this:
The following 2 users liked this post by XPerties:
fordgb (01-05-2014),
TheyCallMePower (02-27-2014)
#2
XPerties ... thanks for doing this as I have been having problems on my `03 Screw with the mirror and window switches .
Couple questions ... I got the pod off ok by using my pry bar and channel locks .... just kidding !! It comes off pretty easy . Got the remote mirror switch cleaned ok , but ran into a problem on the window switches . How do you get the black rockers off ?? I tried prying up gently and they wouldn`t budge and I didn`t want to break them . Is there a release somewhere I`m missing ? Without removing the rockers , I can`t drop the switch to get to the contacts .
Thanks ,
Bob
Couple questions ... I got the pod off ok by using my pry bar and channel locks .... just kidding !! It comes off pretty easy . Got the remote mirror switch cleaned ok , but ran into a problem on the window switches . How do you get the black rockers off ?? I tried prying up gently and they wouldn`t budge and I didn`t want to break them . Is there a release somewhere I`m missing ? Without removing the rockers , I can`t drop the switch to get to the contacts .
Thanks ,
Bob
#3
2020 Sport
Thread Starter
Not sure about the 03 but the 04-08 rockers pop right off. I used a small screw driver and just wedged it right under them and they pop right off. I would imagine yours are the same.
#6
2020 Sport
Thread Starter
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#8
I ended up discovering this on my own when looking into switch problems, but my contact pads were worn so much that they wouldn't make contact. So what I did was took a soldering iron and some solder and filled the hollow spots back up to it original shape so the contacts would meet.
Just a FYI if cleaning doesn't fix your problem, like mine.
Just a FYI if cleaning doesn't fix your problem, like mine.
#9
Just tinkered with this in my just bought 2006 FX4. Passenger window would work only some times using passenger window switch. The 2006 switch was a little different but your tip worked perfectly!!! Thanks