Ok. A few months ago I got a new window switch (drivers) cause mine was toast. Now, the other day I hopped in, and the passenger window didn't want to go down. Tried both switches to no avail. Ordered a new window motor, cause I thought that was the problem. Nope. Through ignorant luck I figured that out. While contemplating how I was going to reach the window hold down bolts while it was in the up position, I decided to give it another college try just for ***** and giggles. I accidently hooked up the window motor to the door illumination harness (damn Mazda for making them IDENTICAL). Whoa, the window went down. Sweet. Not really. Here are the problems in order and I hope someone has answers for them.

1) Since it wasn't the motor, which switch is bad. Both of them worked to put the window back up, but neither will roll it down.
2) None of the door/overhead lights work anymore. Fuse is fine, replaced just in case, but nothing.
3) Radio doesn't work now. Check all its fuses and nada. (Alpine IVA-C800- like 20 fuses and all are good)

Help me please.

DJ

 

I don't know the answers to 1, 2, or 3, but I do have a suggestion. The driver side switch in my car was very easy to take apart (just three screws on the bottom side). I did so when my driver side window failed, and it turned out that I only needed to clean 18 years worth of carbon off the contacts inside the switch. I don't remember how the passenger side switch is put together, but I suspect you may be able to take that one apart also.

So, my suggestion is to take both switches apart, clean the contacts (and look for other malfunctions), and see what happens. If you do so, be careful how you replace the contacts after you clean them. They only go in one way, but it's obvious when you have them in correctly.

 

The driver's side switch is new (to me) but the passenger side one is older than dirt (and shows). I guess my question is, if the passenger side one doesn't work, will the drivers side control for the passenger window not work as well (whew). I don't know how the current path goes, so I figured if there is a break somewhere, that may be it.

Problems 2 and 3 have been solved.

DJ

 

window motors almost never fail (I have only seen one bad window motor in the 20 years of the FC).

Your drivers window switch is probably bad

 

Figured it out. Passenger side window 'down' contacts were hoirribly carbonized. Cleaned them up and eberything is gravy. Thanks Icemark. I knew if amyone was going to give some good info it would be you!

All problems solved. In less than 4 hrs.

 

What did you do about the overhead lights not working? I have the same problem right now as well, bad driver's side p/w switch, and none of my o/h lights work either.

 

Why is it, that I'm feeling like Rodney Dangerfield all of a sudden?

 

Just for the peace of mind pull the fuse panel and look behind it.
I had a problem with a radio / over head lights not working and the fuse was ok.
Something told me to look behind the fuse panel to see how the wire was hooked up and what color it was to trace it.

Well what I found was a bad fuse panel. That circuit was toast so I swapped out the fuse panel and everything works a ok.

 

lol... poor Buttsjim.. Well Ill be cleaning mine tonight. Passenger window wont work... grr...