Electric Window Switches

[jdsbellis]

Hi
The electric window switches on the 190 models are prone to failing.
Does anyone know a fairly cheap place to buy new/secondhand switches.
I need a front double switch for the driver and rear passenger and two single switches for both rear doors.
Thanks
James

 

[MW]

I have taken these to pieces on both a 230E and a SAAB 900. The key is to very very slowly priese them open at the sides, be careful about brittle plastic, and watch out for the order they are assembled in, and for little pieces flying out and disappearing, especially springs.
Once open, it is obviously a simple bar with points on. They are like little distributor contact points from 20 years ago. Clean up the points with very fine wet and dry, and they very often work perfectly again.
They don't work because the contact point is balck or discoloured so electricity can't flow. Windows carry quite a bit of current.
The satisfaction once they work is fantastic. A complete repair for nothing.
Try it.

 

[MW]

The fact that they sometimes work and sometimes don't, is the classic black pitted points syndrome. Do them and let us know how you got on.

 

[jdsbellis]

HI MW
I will have a go and let you know.
Thanks
James

 

[jdsbellis]

Hi MW
I tried cleaning the rear door electric window switches last night and it made no difference.
I have just won a full set off EBay front and back for £16 delivered so hopefully they will work.
Of course if it is not the switches then I will have to take the door panels off and look into it further.
Thanks
James

 

[MW]

Sorry to hear that. Last year all my windows 'went funny' and when closing them they often would not work without switching the ignition off. After about 3 weeks all was well. Never knew why. Someone here suggested 124's are suscetible to poor fuse and relay contacts. They suggested using switch contact aerosol fluid everwhere to try to find the problem. I never did as all was well. If all of them are iffy, and you have cleaned one up, I think it may be something central. If you have one good window switch, try moving it about to test the others.
By the way, I did clean the inside of the problematic rear passenger cabin light switch. Worked perfectly. Ah the satisfaction was immense.

 

[jdsbellis]

Hi MW
Just to let you know my new switches arrived from California and the rear windows still did not work.
I took the rear door cards off last night and found that one side had a loose connection and the other side had the power lead snapped in half.
Problem now sorted but the switches were probably ok in the first place.
James