Hi Ling!
I have a 2000 subaru (legacy outback). The power window switch on the
driver side is acting up. The window can go down normally. However I
have to pull up really hard to make it go up. It seems to me that the
switch contact is bad. Is it easy to disassemble the driver side
control panel and clean up the contacts? If yes, does anybody have
instructions on how to take off the inside door panel? A new control
panel costs around $150
Probably the master switch, alright. I don't think you need to pull
the door panel to get it loose. Try sliding a butter knife under the
switch bezel at the back (Or front? One or the other.) and gently
prying up. Should come out with little effort. The plugs on the switch
can be troublesome. Use an ice pick or similar to work the release and
pry the connector out.
The door panel is held in place with several screws, and a series of
snap-in thingies down the sides, and across the bottom. Lessee, there
is one in the cup that surrounds the door release, two behind little
plastic caps (and possibly a chunk of black foam) in the door
grab-handle, one in the little cup that collects garbage in the
handle, and possibly another at the front, just below the window. That
one might also be behind a plastic cover. Remove the cup around the
release by holding the lever partially open and pulling/prying/cursing
at it 'til it comes loose. You'll probably break a couple little
plastic tabs unless someone has already done it for you. No worries,
it'll go back just fine without them.
Slide your butter knife along the bottom, and pry outwards to release
the snaps. Once one is loose, you will be able to get your fingers in,
and things will go faster. Just be gentle, and if the panel seems
stuck, look for screws you may have missed. Once the panel is loose
all around, pull the bottom toward you a few inches, and lift up to
get the rubber wiper strip free of the door metal. It's a bit easier
if the window glass is down, but it'll go either way.
Goes back just the way it came out, but here you _will_ want the
window down.
Hope this get's you rolling!
ByeBye! S.
Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101