Driver's side window controls don't work

[vidusdei]

About two years back, the driver's side window control panel on my '97 Impreza stopped working.

 

Although the window control panel doesn't work, the child safety lock and the power locks still work, so I think the problem is with the window panel itself. The problem is limited only to the driver's side, as the other 3 doors work fine.

 

Fortunately, the window was rolled up at the time we noticed it stopped working, but has this happened to anyone else? If so, how was the problem resolved?

 

Since it's really my mom's car, and she doesn't seem to mind the "minor inconvenience" -- you should see her at a drive-thru -- it's not likely to be fixed unless I take the initiative, and I'd really rather not have to pay someone to "take a look at it."

[Cougar]

I would guess you have a switch problem with this. You will need to get into the door panel anyways to deal with this. It could be the motor connections also. You could run jumper wires from the battery or a main fuse connection and ground too the motor and see if that will make the motor work. I would isolate the motor wires first before connecting like this though.

 

If this test works ok then you will need to look at the switch for the drivers window for a problem. Hopefully it is just a loose connection rather than a bad switch. Having a test light will be necessary to check for voltage at the connections.

[vidusdei]

Thanks for the info, Cougar.

 

Any tips on how to get into the door panel? Sure tearing the plastic molding off is an option, but I'm sure there's a more subtle approach.

[Subie Gal]

I describe how to remove a door panel here:

 

http://www.subiegal.com/IMAGES/Car%20Stuff/RS/LED%20install/impreza_led_install.htm

 

most impreza's are very similar, if not exactly the same

when it comes to removing the door panels.

 

good luck

Jamie

[gbhrps]

I had a similar problem with my 300ZX years ago, and figured that since the problem had occurred suddenly, that the switch was the most logical place to start, and the cheapest as to parts cost and time. I tried spraying the switch with lots of elecrical contact cleaner around the switch button itself, in order to get the fluid to get inside the switch to its contacts. I eventually just popped the switch out of the door panel, unhooked the wire harness and sprayed the cleaner into any cracks I could get and then cycled the switch several dozen times to move the contacts through the fluid. Then I gave the switch 10 MINUTES to evaporate the fluid before I hooked up the wiring harness again, and Bingo...power windows once more. It worked for me. Hope it works for you!

[vidusdei]

Thank you for all of the information, guys.

 

I must say, this is one of the friendliest forums I've had the privilege to encounter.

[roger1]

gbhrps is right on , I took out swithch ,diasembled it very carefully,cleaned contacts put it back together . the older vintage had small spring so work where parts won't get lost etc.