What Causes the Failure of Car Power Window Switches?
2 Answers
Car power window switch failure can be caused by aging and deformation of the glass sealing strip, dirt or foreign objects in the window lifting guide rail, motor malfunction, low battery power, or window regulator failure. Issues with the glass sealing strip: Aging, excessive dirt, or deformation of the glass sealing strip (including inner trim strips) can create resistance when raising or lowering the window. Generally, if the strip is aged or deformed, it is best to replace it with a new one, or simply clean it. Solution: Spray some dashboard wax or apply talcum powder (for lubrication) on the glass sealing strip, which usually yields good results. Dirty window lifting guide rail: If the window lifting guide rail is too dirty, it can also cause lubrication issues. Solution: Clean the window lifting guide rail and apply lubricating grease to eliminate the problem. Low battery power may also lead to difficulty or failure in window operation. When raising or lowering the window with the engine off, the power is drawn from the battery. If the battery is low on charge, window operation may become difficult. Window regulator failure: Window regulator malfunction, improper glass sealing strip, including guide rail failure, cable failure, or slider failure, etc. Solution: The only remedy is to replace the window regulator.
I've fixed many car window issues and found that switch failures are usually caused by these reasons: The most common is a faulty button switch. Over time, the button wears out or the contacts oxidize, causing no response when pressed. Another possibility is a blown fuse. You can find the corresponding fuse in the fuse box; when it blows, the entire window system stops working. Or it could be a wiring issue, like aged or broken wires inside the door, especially prone to short circuits in humid weather. If a single window fails, the motor might be broken or stuck. For such problems, I recommend first checking the fuse and trying a new one. If that doesn't work, you'll need to visit a repair shop to inspect the detailed wiring and control module. When driving, try to avoid prolonged exposure to rain to prevent issues—safety first, after all.
