Passenger side window and mirror control panel doesn't work

[Steiner]

Hello!

Sorry for the title, it isn't very descriptive, but I'll try to explain the symptoms I'm having here:

Observed:

When opening/closing the driver side window, all is as it should be. When I "close" the passenger side window with it actually being closed, it opens all the way down and no amount of pushing or pressing the button will bring it back up, unless I reach over to the passenger door panel and do it there (where everything works fine). Resetting the windows does not work.

And the side mirror controls are off as well. I can align my mirrors down and to the left, but not up or to the right (or the other way around, I tend to forget this fact).

My first guess would be that the cause of these problems can be linked to water damage, but I'm no expert on this. Far from it actually. Has anybody here dealt with the same issue or have an idea what the problem (and possible solution) might be?

Thanks!

 

[Stuart Truman]

If you take out the switch panel, you could test the operation of the switches with a meter...

If the passenger side switch operates the window properly all the mechanism etc is ruled out as a failing part (relief) so it looks like the drivers door side switches are your problem.

I've never removed them so no clue if you could simply short a couple of wires to prove it, or whether there's a circuit board involved. No doubt someone will be along shortly who has actually pulled the switches out.


Tapatalking...

 

[bcworkz]

I concur it's a driver's side switch problem. Water damage is a likely culprit. For one, they are below the cupholder, if you have such a thing. I've seen liquid 'geysir' up out of the little cup lid hole while going over an abrupt bump. Also if one drives in the rain with the top down, then operates the windscreen wipers, the wipers shove a bunch of water over the A pillar and it ends up dropping onto the switches. I've seen this first hand as well. :roll:

Haven't had this part out, but from the parts diagram, it looks like a self contained unit, costs about 85 USD. If you're so inclined, it may be possible to dissect and repair, but then you'll probably have to glue it back together, not ideal. For diagnosis, it looks like it's all mechanical switches, the computer logic is handled by the general module. Use WDS to determine which pins go to which device.

 

[Steiner]

Thanks for the response, Stuart and bcworkz and sorry for the lack of a note of gratitude from myself. A lack of sleep, a family wedding and the subsequent development of said weddings photos took their toll!

Sadly, or thankfully as some would have it, the car doesn't have cupholders, so no liquid geysers! I'm inclined that this might be water damage though, so I'll switch out the panel after dissecting the old one to make sure that he's the culprit. Former owner must've dealt with some really localized rain! :lol:

 

[Steiner]

So we tore the driver side door apart to fix some problems. There was some rattling inside the window which we couldn't find the source of (hardening the screw didn't do the trick) and the windows make this ghastly sound when it's hot outside. Turns out the sleds were bone dry and the problem was almost instantly mended after frivolous-use of lubricants and grease. Now I'll just have to repeat it on the passenger side window.

However, we took the window controls apart while we were at it. There was a lot of oxidation on the current-board which needed a bit of scraping and some contact spray. After that, the windows and the mirrors worked as they should, but now a day later, the mirrors don't go up so I'm going to take another look at that. Pretty sure it can be fixed though!

 

[bcworkz]

I love it when one can fix things with just a bit of labour and no expenditure. Too bad it wasn't completely successful. When you do get around to taking it apart again, don't forget the rest of us, take some pics!