DIY - Cancel auto up/down window for winter
 

Today I decided to do something about those windows that kept freezing and document it since I know alot of people are having problem with that issue. After careful observation, I don't see the window's edge rubbing against the seal, so your weather stripping won't get damaged doing this procedure. As always..do this at your own risk!

It takes 5 minutes and all you need is :
- 10mm socket
- some electrical tape
- beer (optional)

Basicly you want to disable the open/closed door switch, it's a simple ground you want to cancel.

1. First open you door and located the switch.

2. Use your 10mm socket and a ratchet to remove the switch. Be careful of your paint as it's pretty easy to overdo it and hit the paint with the ratchet as you swivel it.

3. Pull out the bolt, and pull the switch GENTLY, do not disconnect it since you might loose the wire inside the body!

http://i.minus.com/j1jNOLX6E5QuS.jpg


3. Use a peice of electrical tape, and stick it on the back of the switch, slice an opening for the bolt.

http://i.minus.com/juQkDzR2V8BWE.jpg

4. Use more electrical tape to cover the top part of the bolt that makes connection with the switch. Also put a square with a hole sliced in the middle and insert it againt the bolt's head, as you don't want any metal on metal contact with the switch.

http://i.minus.com/jbn6tLYn9G4nV6.jpg

http://i.minus.com/jbfnvnjNFB66FB.jpg

5. Bolt back the switch and play with the knob/nipple :D a bit to make sure ground does not make contact.

All done !!!

http://i.minus.com/jroM6B0GWtwUb.jpg


Do the same for the passenger door, or if you're single like me, only do the driver's side ;). The only downside to this procedure is the dome light won't open when you get it (but it does anyway when you use your keyfob unlock) and it will disable the factory alarm's open door detection.

So please clarify... This overrides the "feature" of the windows to disable in cold? So they keep trying to go up when you get in and shut door even if frozen or not sealing right?

OR...

The window never goes down now when you open the door after this modification? That's what it looks like is happening. Can this hurt the seal over time or is it OK and won't rip or damage it?

The window won't go down when you open the door basicly. The window is frozen every morning, when I open the door the window goes down maybe 2mm and you hear the motor forcing/humming, then the regulator resets(because it senses something keeps the window from moving) and when I close back the door the window is not totally up - so you have to bring it up manually. And you can't do a "reset procedure" because the windows is, well, frozen in place.. See the complaints : http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...=window+frozen

And no, the window does not even rub anywhere when you close/open the door. From what I can see, it's a completely useless feature.

I believe the feature is for when you close the door you don't get that build up of pressure that messes with your ears. But great DIY. I'll have to do this one.

Mine have frozen a couple time already. Blinky auto lights afterward. Like stated above I think the window drop is for cabin decompression when closing the doors.

I wouldn't expect this to effect the seal anyway as the door is normally already open before the window goes down anyway.

this would have been great to know about when i had my tints done. the seal pushed my tint a bit and gave me a few wrinkles on the driver's side :/. but yea thanks, this will definitely help with the window freezing issue.

Hey thanks for the heads up getting my windows tinted tomorrow

Hey thanks for the heads up getting my windows tinted tomorrow

Go back to whoever did your tint and have them fix it, they should be able to cure it better with some heat before giving the car back to you so there's no issues with this.

As for windows freezing, I haven't had a single issue with mine yet, even after leaving it out in a couple snow storms.

This is actually a pretty dang good idea , very clever. I never thought it would be an issue, but if I had the same thing happen to my car, it would really, really bug me. Always thought it was a bit odd the windows cracked down just a bit every time you get in an out anyway lol.

Thanks,
Rick

This and the clutch adjustment are the best diy's for this car, its currently 5 degrees here, and everytime i open my door i have to deal with a loud crunch followed by blinky lights, im done resetting these windows, attention toyota, people in cold climates will drive this car, why the issues with windows? Cmon

Thanks for the diy!!!

Good diy for winter freeze protection. For protection of fresh tint I would just pull the power window fuse for a couple days.

Are your windows tinted? I have't had my windows stick once, and I'm probably further north than you are. My windows were tinted long before winter, but it seems that the issue isn't with the windows freezing to the seal, but the internal workings freezing up.

If the tinter knows what they're doing (ie have done frameless windows before), there won't be any issues at all. I asked the guy that did mine, and he said he's done hundreds of cars that do this (LOTS of high end cars do this as well) and never had issues. He said he just heats up the tint more to speed up the curing process before returning the car.