Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Drivers side window switch...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 3, 2020 | 03:58 PM
  #1  
afonda's Avatar
afonda
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 3
From: Broad Run, Va
Drivers side window switch...

Drivers window would not go up the other day for the first time ever... just my luck it rains on the drive home... anyway I pulled the switch, took it apart and all of the contacts were burnt with soot on them for all 4 window buttons. I was going to stop at just the drivers side window button because there were no issue with the other buttons... but, glad i pulled each button apart because they were all sooty and black on the inside. The hard part was pulling the actual buttons off. they are on there good. The way I got them off was with a flathead screwdriver right in the middle of the button by levering it up. I would say budget 2 hours... it is tedious... also the little lights do not come out as they are soldered into the switch, but they will bend enough to pull the switches out... Take you time and dont break anything. That white plastic thing with the lights in it is a real pain in the A$$.... careful cuz it will break.. trust me I know first hand. But it will bend enough to pull those little switch covers out which need to be pried up and out.







 

Last edited by afonda; Apr 3, 2020 at 04:08 PM. Reason: update
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2020 | 04:06 PM
  #2  
F0rdc0wb0y's Avatar
F0rdc0wb0y
Fleet Mechanic
10 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 564
Club FTE Gold Member
So, what was the problem here? Looks like you cleaned the contacts.
 
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2020 | 04:14 PM
  #3  
afonda's Avatar
afonda
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 3
From: Broad Run, Va
Originally Posted by F0rdc0wb0y
So, what was the problem here? Looks like you cleaned the contacts.
Yes. I did clean all the contacts. *** I'm guessing Ford is the F'n problem. Why all the soot? This is a stupid problem... new switch is probably $100 + ....

window works great now.
 
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2020 | 09:31 PM
  #4  
aawlberninf350's Avatar
aawlberninf350
It's a Van Gogh
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Liked
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,813
Likes: 1,335
From: Elk Grove, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
I paid $125 for the driver side Dorman part a few years ago. Individual switches are not available, just the cluster.
 
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2020 | 11:15 PM
  #5  
pirschwagon's Avatar
pirschwagon
More Turbo
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 717
Likes: 9
Originally Posted by afonda
Yes. I did clean all the contacts. *** I'm guessing Ford is the F'n problem. Why all the soot? This is a stupid problem... new switch is probably $100 + ....

window works great now.
What you saw was Carbon. When an electrical contact is engaged there is a small arch present which produces Carbon. After a thousand activation, it does prevent contact from closing.
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2020 | 06:35 AM
  #6  
FordTruckNoob's Avatar
FordTruckNoob
FTE Chapter Leader
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,121
Likes: 4,723
From: Henderson, NV
Club FTE Gold Member
Wow. The switches on my 2000 are discrete. It would suck to have to replace the entire module if only one of the switches is acting up. Good thing this time was just sooty contacts.
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2020 | 07:13 AM
  #7  
Listor's Avatar
Listor
Fleet Mechanic
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 106
From: Albuquerque
Originally Posted by pirschwagon
What you saw was Carbon. When an electrical contact is engaged there is a small arch present which produces Carbon. After a thousand activation, it does prevent contact from closing.
I know you know you are right but i am telling you you are right SOOO you must indeed be right! LMAO my gosh i need to get back to work!
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2020 | 08:54 AM
  #8  
Sous's Avatar
Sous
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Veteran: Air Force
Community Builder
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,353
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
FTE Emeritus
Well done @afonda , I have added your instructions and helpful comments to the 7.3L PSD Tech Folder.


 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 6, 2020 | 04:52 PM
  #9  
afonda's Avatar
afonda
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 3
From: Broad Run, Va
Originally Posted by Sous
Well done @afonda , I have added your instructions and helpful comments to the 7.3L PSD Tech Folder.

Just happy to help my friends...
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ITOWAIR17
2017 - 2022 Super Duty
14
Mar 23, 2018 05:08 PM
hharris8
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
14
Dec 9, 2016 03:30 PM
v1uhoh
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
33
Jan 20, 2013 05:05 PM
thbowen
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
4
Mar 25, 2012 12:09 PM
themred65
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
6
Aug 17, 2010 12:24 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:13 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE