Window switch faulty

andyval · Post by **andyval** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:34 pm

Going to have to sort this out. Does the switch simply prise out or is there something else I should know ?

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:22 pm

It prises out with a small screwdriver blade. Be careful not to damage the trim. Strip it down and clean it up. You may be able to improvise and make good any worn bits of plastic to make the contacts work again. They really are a cheap and crap job these switches so go carefully. Watch out for the spring under the window lock button.

It's worth the trouble trying to fix it as people are asking silly money for replacements. £115 new and £45 upwards used.

dobby · Post by **dobby** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 1:10 am

Andyval

Sorry if it's been said before but make sure its not the cables that pass between the door and frame, they break etc and give intermittent faults. I was convinced my switch had gone.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 2:20 am

Mine works ok but is very flimsy in the aperture, i guess its been out in the past at the hands of some ham fisted monkey

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 8:57 pm

Makes you wonder if a BMW window switch or something could be sourced as a cheaper alternative that would fit. Now there's a challenge for somebody!!

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 10:26 am

Good idea Mike but I've already trawled through ebay listings and nothing comes close. Pity because you can pick BMW and Jaguar ones up for less than 25 quid, Toyota ones for less than a tenner. Crazy world eh?

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 11:00 am

Sure is. Mazda are known for high quality stuff (and the Bongo looks and feels like this) so how come it ended up with a flaky switch?

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 11:16 am

Hmm not sure I quite agree. Mazdas are renowned for their reliability but I find some of their components a bit suspect. Doesn't really tie in that does it?

madmile · Post by **madmile** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 7:24 pm

Cant help re the fault switch, but when they are loose in the door card it is usually due to the front clip having snapped as it is only plastic. If you are levering them out then lift the rear end first and be gentle. If the front clip is broken you can quite easily bed a piece of aluminium to reform a suitable retaining clip.
On the subject of second hand ones, I would only buy from a breaker who has other parts for sale. Some ebayers make a fortune out of these by stealing them from Bongo's at the auctions. Its fairly obvious who they are if you check their listings - no point fueling their greed.
Rant over.

johnzbenson · Post by **johnzbenson** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 6:12 am

The electrical switches and things seem to share a lot of their components with Mitsubishi parts- I believe the window switch unit is readily replaceable with old mitsubishi galant/sigma equipment. or at least something could be fashioned between the two units- worth havinga look round a breakers yard if at all possible.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 10:53 am

Now that is most interesting johnzbenson - warrants further investigation if I can find the time. I actually have a rather nice Mitsubishi SpaceWagon to sell but better not start raiding it for parts!

trevd01 · Post by **trevd01** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 12:26 pm

Veg_Ian wrote:Good idea Mike but I've already trawled through ebay listings and nothing comes close. Pity because you can pick BMW and Jaguar ones up for less than 25 quid, Toyota ones for less than a tenner. Crazy world eh?

I suppose people have checked that switches from Mazdas of the same era (626, 323, MX5 etc) or even a Ford Probe don't fit?

Richard D · Post by **Richard D** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 5:52 pm

Spent a couple of hours in my mates scrap yard this morning removing switches from most cars that looked similar and couldnt find anything that would easily convert. Problem seems to be that the bongo uses a sliding switch mechanism inside whereas everything else uses microswitches.

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 7:21 pm

I suppose people have checked that switches from Mazdas of the same era (626, 323, MX5 etc) or even a Ford Probe don't fit?

Yep nothing like the Bongo switch panel. theres also a switch on ebay for the Mitsubishi Galant that looks nothing like it either.