What can cause the window switches not to work?

[rdougan]

Originally Posted by jhandy

honestly i dont think that it is a microswitch issue only becasue my window goes up and down regardless if the switchs are active or not.

IE: pull inside handle, window rolls up and down
outside the same.

Its not the regulator- because that is a mechanical device that either works crappy or not at all if broken. UNLESS you hear the motor working and window not rolling down.

I would look more to the motor. especially the connection at the motor and the wires that lead there.

Take the motor off of the regulator and see if it works up and down. if not then

unplug the motor. using a multimeter tool you should be able to see if the switch is working and sending a signal to the motor to roll the window down.

also look at the window button. May be broken. rare that both go out.
Also rare that both motors go out, or both microswitches, or both regulators, or both.... you get the point.

Look for something that affects both windows operations at once.

Also I dare say that It could be the ignition switch. That thing is known to mess up all sorts of electrical stuff that makes no sence at all.
For 12$, you can eleminate that as a choice.
Also weird that your alarm thinks that something is open. only becasue having something open will not affect the window operation. Unless your alarm brain got wet (under the seat) and has brain damage or something.

It isn't the ignition switch. Already tried that.

Originally Posted by DenverSteve

Honestly why would you waste 2 months trying to figure out why something's not working when you could drop it off at the dealer/mechanic and have it working properly in 2 days or less? My time, and probably yours, is worth FAR more than playing with something like that for 2 months. Will they work with the key in the door (left to open, right to close)? Pedro's answers are usually spot on. If he's baffled, you need greater help. I don't know the electrical system on these (and don't care to) but maybe the window switches operate on a different fuse than the door handles? Try the key in the door turned all the way to the left and see if they open.

Tell me about it. It is going to a mechanic next week to get a general look over and this will be one of things that will be diagnosed (hopefully).

I didn't know about the key window opening thingy, so I'll try that shortly, thanks.