How to Test a Power Window Switch

by Elyse James

It's a hot summer day and you go to roll down your window using the power window switch, but instead of delivering a refreshing breeze, the window doesn't budge. If you are stuck with this unfortunate situation, or if your window is malfunctioning in other ways, you could have a problem with your window switch. To test the window switch you will need to use a voltmeter and ohmmeter.

Step 1

Remove the faulty window switch from the door. To do this, you must press on the four tabs on the switch to release the switch. A small flat tip screwdriver can come in handy during this process.

Step 2

Turn the switch to the "open" position.

Step 3

Attach the voltmeter to the switch plug and test to see if there are 12 volts coming from terminal 4 to the ground and from terminal 5 to the ground. If the voltage is the correct number, this tells you that the power and wiring leading the window switch is sufficient.

Step 4

Set the switch to the "open" position. Attach the ohmmeter to the varying terminal combinations. There should be low resistance coming from terminals 1 to 4 and from 2 to 3.

Step 5

Set the switch to the "close" position. Attach the ohmmeter to the varying terminal combinations. There should be a low resistance from terminals 1 to 3 and from 2 to 5.

Step 6

Determine whether the switch is faulty based on the combined readings from the ohmmeter and the voltmeter.

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