someotherguy
Truly Awesome
Dupe of a post I just put up on Chevytalk...
No pictures this time around, sorry! Was in a hurry to get windows working and up before rain hit, so I'm doing this from memory.
A common problem on the 1995-up trucks is the window switches quit working after many years of use, particularly the driver's window. Replacements are easy to get and install but kind of pricey - especially if you're a crew cab or 4 door SUV; a good quality replacement is about $100!
If you don't mind taking a small amount of time and effort, these switches can be repaired with no special tools or experience whatsoever.
Remove switch unit from its pod on the door panel.
Carefully remove the button tops by wiggling/twisting them just a little bit until they pop off; they're just pushed on at their pivot point to the switch body.
Lift off the debris protective layer (likely in poor shape at this point but no sense in making it worse.)
Now you're looking at the tops of the switches, with two white nubs poking out of each one, where the button tops contact them. Look carefully - the black cover surrounding each switch can be removed, too. They sort of look like the lids on marine battery boxes. VERY carefully pry this off with a small screwdriver.
Inside you'll see a pair of leaf switch contacts - up/down. Do note that on the driver's window switch they're double contacts (I didn't remove the caps on the others, so I don't know yet) where there are 3 leafs, all with contact points on them.
Use a slim cut piece of business card or other thick paper to slip between the contact points, and gently press on the leaf to close the contacts against the paper, and run it back and forth. Don't use anything more abrasive than just plain paper, as scratches on the contacts will shorten their life.
A few shots of good contact cleaner like DeOXIT is a good idea, too.
Made a 100% inoperative driver's window switch on my '97 Suburban work like new again! Only takes a few minutes, and practically half the work you'd have to do anyway if replacing the switch with a new one.
Richard
No pictures this time around, sorry! Was in a hurry to get windows working and up before rain hit, so I'm doing this from memory.
A common problem on the 1995-up trucks is the window switches quit working after many years of use, particularly the driver's window. Replacements are easy to get and install but kind of pricey - especially if you're a crew cab or 4 door SUV; a good quality replacement is about $100!
If you don't mind taking a small amount of time and effort, these switches can be repaired with no special tools or experience whatsoever.
Remove switch unit from its pod on the door panel.
Carefully remove the button tops by wiggling/twisting them just a little bit until they pop off; they're just pushed on at their pivot point to the switch body.
Lift off the debris protective layer (likely in poor shape at this point but no sense in making it worse.)
Now you're looking at the tops of the switches, with two white nubs poking out of each one, where the button tops contact them. Look carefully - the black cover surrounding each switch can be removed, too. They sort of look like the lids on marine battery boxes. VERY carefully pry this off with a small screwdriver.
Inside you'll see a pair of leaf switch contacts - up/down. Do note that on the driver's window switch they're double contacts (I didn't remove the caps on the others, so I don't know yet) where there are 3 leafs, all with contact points on them.
Use a slim cut piece of business card or other thick paper to slip between the contact points, and gently press on the leaf to close the contacts against the paper, and run it back and forth. Don't use anything more abrasive than just plain paper, as scratches on the contacts will shorten their life.
A few shots of good contact cleaner like DeOXIT is a good idea, too.
Made a 100% inoperative driver's window switch on my '97 Suburban work like new again! Only takes a few minutes, and practically half the work you'd have to do anyway if replacing the switch with a new one.
Richard