Can I upgrade to the new "safe" window switches?

Dans Denali · September 5, 2005

My dog rolled the window up on himself today in my 2002 pickup and I was wondering if it would be easy to convert to the new style pull up window control switches like my 2003 Denali has? Arm rests look the same?

Dan

mcreyaufmiller · September 5, 2005

put your dog in a seast belt. problem solved.

redvett · September 6, 2005

Take your dog to the house and leave him there. You sound like some of the irresponsible parents with there children. A child or pet are not capable of taking care of them selfs . Take care of them and dont depend on the MFR's. It just drives up te price of our vehicles. Be responsible for your own actions.

MountaineerTom · September 6, 2005

I'd try taking the switch panel off your Denali and see if the plug the harness hooks up to is the same as your truck. If it is, plug the Denali one in and see if it works.

BTW, he never said he left the dog in the truck by itself. I took it that while he was in the truck with the dog, the dog hit the switch and caused the window to roll up.

firefighteremt3100 · September 6, 2005

I did as well. Lots of people take short trips to do errands with their dogs. It doesn't mean they live in the vehicle. I find myself liking the old style better as in the dark I go to move the window up or down and its opposite the old style. Sometimes I forget that you have to lift the button up.

Dans Denali · September 6, 2005

Hey, I do have 3 kids and a dog!!! I meant the dog rolls up the window when I am driving. Doesn't happen in the 2003 with the new style switches, I guess I will try comparing the 2 panels. Once you get used to the new style switch it is far better-switch up=window up. Is the switch panel easy to remove?

Thanks,

Dan

MountaineerTom · September 6, 2005

My '99 is pretty easy to remove. You just lift up on the side facing the inside of the truck until it pops out, then the pull it out. There's only a couple spring tab type things holding it in on the side closest to the interior side, and a couple tabs that slide into slots on the door panl side. I'm not positive that your model years are the same, but I'd be willing to bet they are.

Nick99Chevy · September 6, 2005

The 03+ that have the new style switches also use the class 2 databus. I wouldn't be surprised if it wont work.

Delray · September 7, 2005

put your dog in a seast belt. problem solved

Don't you mean a Beast Belt..

JimG · September 7, 2005

Be careful .... 2003 models are a challenge to take apart (wondeful design). If you need to remove the door lock/window switches (either door) do the following:

1. Remove the cover around the interior door handle - it pops out, no screws.

2. Remove 1 screw just next to the armrest and below the hand hole.

3. Pop out the door lock indicator. You'll see a screw behind the indicator, you want to remove that.

4. Push UP on the entire interior door panel - it's held with HOOKS, not push-in clips. It should lift up with a pop. Don't take the door trim out completely, unhook the top and middle and allow the panel to rest on the bottom hooks; it's designed to do this so you're safe, you won't break it.

5. Look for the controls ... feel with your finger along the top edge of the control panel, you'll find a 7 mm screw you need to remove. Then the controls will pop out. GM's put out a note about this (check the techlink site) because it's a PITA and I'm guessing a few too many techs broke the controls trying to remove them.

Good luck - take your time and work slowly.

Edit - if you're in central NJ I can give you a hand with this ... ripped the doors off my truck this past weekend. Loads of fun. Loads of cursing at the GM engineer too.

az'03Silverado · September 7, 2005

"Hurts don't it? Betcha won't do that again." -- Jeff Foxworthy

Dans Denali · September 7, 2005

Thanks for the info, sounds like the systems are different and beyond my abilities.

Dan

Nick99Chevy · September 7, 2005

5. Look for the controls ... feel with your finger along the top edge of the control panel, you'll find a 7 mm screw you need to remove. Then the controls will pop out. GM's put out a note about this (check the techlink site) because it's a PITA and I'm guessing a few too many techs broke the controls trying to remove them.
Good luck - take your time and work slowly.

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Just unhook the harness to the switches and leave them in the door panel.

JimG · September 7, 2005

Nick,

Yes - that's an option. However, the electrical connectors on those modules are a PITA in my opinion. I always find unscrewing the thing and popping the connectors out from a position where I can actually see them (and not looking upside down at everything) is easier.

Personally I don't know why GM couldn't leave it alone and use 12V relays to do the work and eliminate the fancy modules - can't wait to find out what replacing that thing will cost ... probably needs programming also.