Hi....I found this forum while looking online about an issue I'm having with my 2006 Explorer, The problem is on the drivers door window switches. I've noticed that my front passenger window switch is not responding to Up & Down and the rear window buttons on the driver's door went out completely, But the switches Will Work on the individual doors themselves??? Would the drivers door control mechanism need replacing or hopefully just cleaning the contacts??? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance....Robert

 

It's probably not an issue with the switch in the driver's door but rather an issue with the wires between the driver's door and the cabin. It's pretty common for wires to break in the accordion boot.

-Rod

 

Thank You Shorod, I will check out the accordion boot and see if the wires are broken or frayed, it just seemed weird that all of a sudden the drivers door switch's went out, but the other door switches worked. And if you know by chance.....If the wires in the accordion boot are broken or frayed....Is that something the Ford Dealership would have to repair, Or is it a part I could purchase at an Automotive Store and Repair myself????
Thanks again for the response. Robert

 

Often when the wires break in the boot the strands of copper break inside the wire insulation. You won't necessarily see a broken or frayed wire but rather you might see a wire that has a "dogleg" in it instead of having a nice straight or curved profile. If you don't have a queezy stomach, think of what a broken finger might look like versus a finger that's never been broken.

I'm not sure if a dealership would fix a broken wire in this area, they may want to replace an entire harness. You would have better luck replacing the bad wire yourself if you are handy with a soldering iron and heat shrink or finding an independent shop that specializes in automotive electrical systems.

If you opt to repair this yourself, plan to cut out a length of the bad wire or wires and make two splices, one at the door and one at the cabin, such that no splices are in the area that needs to flex a lot. My recommendation is to make hook splices at each splice, solder, then cover with adhesive-lined shrink sleeving to give the splice some mechanical strength and weather-proof protection. Of course you'll also want to use wire rated for at least the same amount of current as the original wire.

-Rod