Both Window Switches died at the same time!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 6
From: Reno, NV
Both Window Switches died at the same time!
The other day it warmed up enough to take the 993 for a spin. I went for a nice drive and while trying to roll down my drivers side window the switch kinda stuck. It felt a bit "Odd" as I tried to get the window to go back up. It worked intermittently for a few seconds then nothing. It was starting to sprinkle a bit so I needed to get the window back up. I have had this happen on older 911's and the procedure for switching a window switch iss not new to me. So, I removed the other passenger side switch and swapped it with the drivers side switch temporarily to get the window up. It worked like a champ but as I rolled with window up, I noticed this switch felt weird too. Within minutes of the first switch crapping out, the second switch went belly up. Both feel like something internal gave up the ghost. The old driver's side one is kaput completely and the one I swapped it with kind of works, but I can tell it's dying quickly.
Weird, huh...
Anyway, I'm looking at the Pelican Parts catalog and see they offer two brands of door switches.
One, made by Kostal, prices out at $50 a piece. The other, made by APA, prices out at $15.00 each.
Pelican Parts link
That is quite the price spread and I was hoping to hear some input from those of you who have had to replace these switches before. Any suggestions?
Weird, huh...
Anyway, I'm looking at the Pelican Parts catalog and see they offer two brands of door switches.
One, made by Kostal, prices out at $50 a piece. The other, made by APA, prices out at $15.00 each.
Pelican Parts link
That is quite the price spread and I was hoping to hear some input from those of you who have had to replace these switches before. Any suggestions?
Race Car
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,681
Likes: 11
From: Johns Creek, GA
Same thing happened to me a couple of years ago. I bought the APA switch from an ebay source. They lasted me about a month before they went out on me as well. Something inside the mechanism felt like it was broken. One of the switches would work intermittently and the other one would sometimes get stuck in the up/down position having to be forced back to the middle neutral position.
I replaced them with the more constly OEM switches and have worked flawlessly since then.
When it comes to these switches, the saying "you get what you paid for" is dead on.
I replaced them with the more constly OEM switches and have worked flawlessly since then.
When it comes to these switches, the saying "you get what you paid for" is dead on.
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 562
Likes: 3
From: Northampton, England
Try this : https://rennlist.com/forums/diy-964-1989-1994-911/201924-window-switch-repair-10-minutes-and-0-amen.html
I did this repair 6 months ago and have had no further problems.
I did this repair 6 months ago and have had no further problems.
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: London England UK
Hi Lee
These 993/964 window switches are notoriously bad, poorly designed P's O S, if its not the pivot point going then the internals crumble away..........I find it's best to crack them open and repair/alter them, I've had new oem switches break in a matter of weeks........this little bit of gear requires improvisation............I know you're good at that! also, I'm sure I've seen an aluminium replacement switch by billet design (US company).........if you fancy going down that road
These 993/964 window switches are notoriously bad, poorly designed P's O S, if its not the pivot point going then the internals crumble away..........I find it's best to crack them open and repair/alter them, I've had new oem switches break in a matter of weeks........this little bit of gear requires improvisation............I know you're good at that! also, I'm sure I've seen an aluminium replacement switch by billet design (US company).........if you fancy going down that road
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Track Day
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
All three of my window switches are starting to act up -- the drivers window is sticky, the passenger window is all-but-nonfunctional. I'm curious as to whether we've established that the Kostal unit is in some what measurably better than the APA switch.
Also, does anyone know more about the aluminum switch?
Thanks,
-jason
Also, does anyone know more about the aluminum switch?
Thanks,
-jason
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,031
Likes: 5
From: San Diego, CA
I have replaced two in the last year also. 911 window switches have always been crappy but it's a cheap and simple fix.
ZP44
PS: Keep in mind that if the switch gets stuck in up or down position while you are driving, it could lead to a window motor burnout (very expensive motor) so if yours are hanging up, keep an eye on them to make sure they are in the neutral detent position till you can replace them.
ZP44
PS: Keep in mind that if the switch gets stuck in up or down position while you are driving, it could lead to a window motor burnout (very expensive motor) so if yours are hanging up, keep an eye on them to make sure they are in the neutral detent position till you can replace them.
Technical Guru
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 8,138
Likes: 122
From: USVI
Originally Posted by froogleyankee
I would recommend replacing the switch rather than the diy repair of the broken switch. for $15-$50 it's not worth a short in your system.
It's happened to a couple of us...
It's happened to a couple of us...
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 3
From: Tampa, FL
If y'all ever hit the swap meets, make sure you dig around those boxes - I was lucky enough to get a replacement for a broken fog lamp for $10 - the guy threw in a replacement window switch I found in a box for free. Had to do some digging to find it though. Still works after three months.