Electric Windows
Moderators: Doone, westonwarrior
Electric Windows
Hi,
Just wondering if anyone could shed any light on malfunctioning electric windows. The drivers window switch has started playing up intermittently, and now seems to have stopped working altogether (for both windows). It was stuck down while I was in Cornwall last week so i took the switch apart, cleaned up the contacts and managed to get it back up again, but now it won't work at all. The passenger side switch is working fine. Not sure if I damaged it when taking it apart but a small ball bearing & spring fell out of it into my hand, and now the on/off switch seems a bit iffy as well. Doesn't seem to have the same definite on/off positioning, if you know what I mean!
Anyway, any hints or advice would be very gratefully received.
Cheers
Neil
Just wondering if anyone could shed any light on malfunctioning electric windows. The drivers window switch has started playing up intermittently, and now seems to have stopped working altogether (for both windows). It was stuck down while I was in Cornwall last week so i took the switch apart, cleaned up the contacts and managed to get it back up again, but now it won't work at all. The passenger side switch is working fine. Not sure if I damaged it when taking it apart but a small ball bearing & spring fell out of it into my hand, and now the on/off switch seems a bit iffy as well. Doesn't seem to have the same definite on/off positioning, if you know what I mean!
Anyway, any hints or advice would be very gratefully received.
Cheers
Neil
-
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 11354
- Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 6:15 pm
- Location: Norwich
Re: Electric Windows
Check the thicker black wire in the loom between the driver's door and bodywork - lots have broken and given your symptoms - easily fixed
.

John
(Evidence that intelligent life exists in the universe, is that it hasn't tried to contact us)
(Evidence that intelligent life exists in the universe, is that it hasn't tried to contact us)
- Northern Bongolow
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 7722
- Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:33 pm
- Location: AKA Vanessa
Re: Electric Windows
the lost spring and ball are what helps to make a solid contact between passy window/drivers window option switch.also make sure that when you put the switch heads back on the little legs go either side of the slider boble.i have gone to a bike shop for spare ballbearings,as been said on here lots check the wiring loom through the door to body as this tends to be more of an issue.
Re: Electric Windows
I had the same problem with the windows, became very intermittent. A squirt of WD40 on the rear to clean the contacts sorted it out. 

Re: Electric Windows
Thanks for the tips, will check the wiring out. Ady, I managed to catch the spring & ball bearing so still have them. Do you know exactly how I put them back together?
Cheers
Neil
Cheers
Neil
- Northern Bongolow
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 7722
- Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:33 pm
- Location: AKA Vanessa
Re: Electric Windows
pm sent
Re: Electric Windows
Fixed! Thanks for the advice, turns out it was the thick red & black wire, neatly snapped in two. Spliced back together and good as new.
Cheers
Neil
Cheers
Neil
-
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 4198
- Joined: Tue Aug 15, 2006 9:34 pm
- Location: in a place far, far away, well Somerset for now!!!
Re: Electric Windows
Another happy outcome - this is such a great forum for advice and friendship well done all



Be nice to everyone they might be nice back.
Come to the dark side we have chocolate dark chocolate
Come to the dark side we have chocolate dark chocolate
-
- Apprentice Bongonaut
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 12:50 am
Re: Electric Windows
Hi dext924 - where precisely did you squirt the WD40? Into the driver's switch? My windows are somewhat intermittent, though normally waiting a minute seems to work. But I'm nervous it is the motors as both windows sometimes look as if they are really struggling to get up.
Cheers!
Cheers!
- daveblueozzie
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 5922
- Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:25 pm
- Location: North West.
Re: Electric Windows
It is also a good idea to squirt some silicon aerosol spray into the runners of the windows, makes them run a lot smoother, same with the runners on the blinds.
Lost without my Bongo.
-
- Apprentice Bongonaut
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 12:50 am
Re: Electric Windows
forgive my ignorance - do you mean taking off the internal door cover, or just opening the windows a bit and squirting down the edges of the windows?
And silicone - do you recommend anything particular? Google came up with http://www.cleaningsupplies4u.com/produ ... tAodRxMA3w
And silicone - do you recommend anything particular? Google came up with http://www.cleaningsupplies4u.com/produ ... tAodRxMA3w
Last edited by I was a freda that on Sat Jan 19, 2013 6:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- daveblueozzie
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 5922
- Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:25 pm
- Location: North West.
Re: Electric Windows
let the window down and squirt in the runners/grooves, then open and close the window a few times to let its magic work.I was a freda that wrote:forgive my ignorance - do you mean taking off the internal door cover, or just squirting down the edges of the windows?
The silicon on the link is OK, or go to Halfords they have the similar stuff.
Last edited by daveblueozzie on Sat Jan 19, 2013 6:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Lost without my Bongo.
-
- Apprentice Bongonaut
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 12:50 am
Re: Electric Windows
Thanks very much. And WD40 on the window switch - just squirt from on top, or do I need to take it apart?
Re: Electric Windows
For anyone who has lost the spring, a cut down Clipper lighter flint spring does the trick but gives a slightly firmer action.
[url]http://germanshepherdrescue.co.uk/[/url]
- Simon Jones
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 9341
- Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:34 pm
- Location: Salisbury (ish), Wiltshire
Re: Electric Windows
Might be worth trying proper contact cleaner as its designed specifically for cleaning electrical contacts.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/contact-cleaner-25340
While WD40 does pretty much do everything, it is still an oil and switches are not usually intended to have a film of oil all over them.
There are mixed views on whether WD40 is a good or bad thing for use on switches, but the consensus is that it attracts dust which will sooner or later cause problems:
http://www.goldwingfacts.com/forums/2-g ... tions.html
http://www.maplin.co.uk/contact-cleaner-25340
While WD40 does pretty much do everything, it is still an oil and switches are not usually intended to have a film of oil all over them.
There are mixed views on whether WD40 is a good or bad thing for use on switches, but the consensus is that it attracts dust which will sooner or later cause problems:
http://www.goldwingfacts.com/forums/2-g ... tions.html