power window failure

[Uncle Ben]

The window at the driver's position will go down, but not up. The
switch feels normal, but the glass won't go.

My friendly Subaru dealer wants to replace the window motor and the
"controller." Cost: about $500.

I don't know what a controller is, but it seems to me that if the
motor will lower the window, then the problem is not the motor. Should
I replace the switch myself and see if that solves the problem? What
would you do?

Ben

 

[strchild]

Well, can you be certain it's the "controller", as your mech put it, and not
the switch, before you drop so much for his best guess?

Do you hear the motor running, or at least hear the motor "bog" down when
you have the switch in the up direction? If not, I would suspect the
switch. The contacts in the switches do get corroded and can stand for
cleaning after a while, but if they are as in my Impreza, best to just
replace with a working switch, for I'm not sure I could dissect them without
totally destroying the switch housing, defeating the purpose. If you hear
the motor and are just not seeing any movement in the mechanism, it's
probably the regulator / motor assembly.

If you are mechanically inclined, and it does turn out to be the
"controller", perhaps a trip to a wrecking yard would pay off? $500 seems a
bit steep to me, unless the parts for the job are the first $399.

When my driver's window quit going up and down on me, total cost for the
repair was $17 to get the parts from the local yard, time on the message
board here to pester the kind folks, and a coupla hours my time (I tend to
work slowly.)

~Brian

 

[Uncle Ben]

Nope, no sound whatsoever. I'll take your idea of the junkyard
switch. I just needed some confirmation.

 

[Tony Hwang]

The window at the driver's position will go down, but not up. The
switch feels normal, but the glass won't go.

My friendly Subaru dealer wants to replace the window motor and the
"controller." Cost: about $500.

I don't know what a controller is, but it seems to me that if the
motor will lower the window, then the problem is not the motor. Should
I replace the switch myself and see if that solves the problem? What
would you do?

Ben

Hi,
Find a wiring diagram and trouble-shoot. what controller? It is relay logic.

 

[Uncle Ben]

Nope, no sound. I'll try switching the switch. I just needed some
confirmation.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Nope, no sound whatsoever. I'll take your idea of the junkyard
switch. I just needed some confirmation.

When it is down and you activate the up switch - could you detect any
'dimming' of, say, the dome light? Or if at night, would the headlights
dim when the switch is activated? If not, I'd expect the switch is bad.
If there IS dimming - that may mean there is physical binding somewhere?

Carl

 

[johninKY]

Because the motor works one way I know the motor is not the problem. My
money is on the switch. Won't hurt to remove the door panel and just take
a look at things. Slim possibility a shot of electrical contact cleaner
could restore the switch as a temporary fix.

 

[Uncle Ben]

The window at the driver's position will go down, but not up. The
switch feels normal, but the glass won't go.

My friendly Subaru dealer wants to replace the window motor and the
"controller." Cost: about $500.

I don't know what a controller is, but it seems to me that if the
motor will lower the window, then the problem is not the motor. Should
I replace the switch myself and see if that solves the problem? What
would you do?

Ben

Switched the switch; problem solved!

Dealer denies that their diagnosis was wrong; says that motor had
voltage, didn't respond. I don't want to be a cynic, but this is hard
to swallow. There are other shops around; hmmm ------

 

[nobody >]

Switched the switch; problem solved!

Dealer denies that their diagnosis was wrong; says that motor had
voltage, didn't respond. I don't want to be a cynic, but this is hard
to swallow. There are other shops around; hmmm ------

IIRC, there's voltage on the motor at all times, it's the ground that
gets switched (like many circuits in Soobs).Bad mechanic!

Finding an independent shop sounds like a damned good idea. Post your
area here, someone probably knows a close Subaru specialty shop or a
'general' shop that's at least Subaru literate.

 

[Uncle Ben]

IIRC, there's voltage on the motor at all times, it's the ground that
gets switched (like many circuits in Soobs).Bad mechanic!

Finding an independent shop sounds like a damned good idea. Post your
area here, someone probably knows a close Subaru specialty shop or a
'general' shop that's at least Subaru literate.

I live in the "Capital District" of NY: Albany, Schenectay, Troy,
etc. -- specifically Glenville.
Any suggestions?

Ben