Door Panel Removal

[Chaos]

Ok, so here's what happened today. I went to the gym had my driver's side power window down, put it up, and went inside. Came out about an hour later, and tried to put it down....nothing, felt like the button was making a bad connection. So i was like alright and let it go for a couple hours. Came back out, was able to put it down and up again! Woohoo, right? Wrong, went to put it down again, went down fine but won't go back up. Still feels like a button not connecting right, all the other windows and locks work fine. I cannot find any screws on the door....i was wondering how id go about removing the panel, or at least the panel around the window controls, so i can take a gander at it. Thank you! Been a while since i been on here, glad to be back.

 

[BrooklynBay]

There is a special tool for popping off the panels. It has a split end, and is curved. It goes onto the plastic clips which hold the panels in place. Just make sure that you remove any screws that are there. Sometimes it is necessary to replace those plastic clips if they are a little eaten up. Any auto parts store sells them.

 

[gijoecam]

From the '02 service manual:

Front Door Trim Panel
Removal and Installation

Disconnect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to Section 414-01.
Remove the inside door handle bezel from the trim panel.

Remove the window switch assembly.

Disconnect the window switch and power door lock electrical connectors.

Remove the upper trim panel screw at the window switch opening.

Remove the lower trim panel screws.

CAUTION: To avoid damage to the door trim panel, do not pull directly outward for this step.

Lift the door trim panel by pulling directly upward on the armrest to disengage the panel clips.
Disconnect the power mirror electrical connector.

Remove the trim panel.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.

If it's just the switches you're trying to access, it doesn't appear that you need to remove the entire panel. Simply pop the switch bezel off and flip it over.

-Joe

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for posting that Joe. You just saved him the cost of a panel removal tool, a lot of wasted time, and probably broken clips in the process.

 

[Chaos]

Thank you very much guys! And thank you Joe for that info. I'm going outside right now to work on it. I tried popping the plastic around the switches last night but that didnt work, so im going after the handle first then attempting that. I'll let you know how it goes, I just hope it's not a regulator issue. Thanks again I really appreciate it!!!

 

[jwrezz]

The special tool isn't needed for the panel removal. I've done it dozens of times and used a fairly rigid plastic spatula about 2 inches wide. Yes, the kind used in cooking.

 

[gijoecam]

The special tool isn't needed for the panel removal. I've done it dozens of times and used a fairly rigid plastic spatula about 2 inches wide. Yes, the kind used in cooking.

Does your wife ever wonder why the pancakes taste funny and the cookies don't stick to the cookie sheets anymore??

-Joe

 

[jwrezz]

I've received a comment or two!! But this was going on long before I was married. My mother used to yell at me for using any kind of utensil for anything other than what it was designed for! Nail files a great for small areas that need sanding!!

 

[dlw]

I just got my '99 Explorer and neet to remove the power window switch. Exactly how do you remove the bezel around the switches? Does anyone have a picture? I've pulled and pried and obviously am not smart enough to get it off, I'm afraid to get too rough and break the bezel, switch or panel.
Thanks!

 

[gijoecam]

Take the panel off per the above instructions, flip it over, disconnect the plugs, and you'll see that the whole switch assembly is held in place by two clips. Release the clips and the switch assembly slides out to the back-side of the door panel. Then, the individual switches can be removed from the bezel as necessary.

-Joe

 

[beertracker]

I just got my '99 Explorer and neet to remove the power window switch. Exactly how do you remove the bezel around the switches? Does anyone have a picture? I've pulled and pried and obviously am not smart enough to get it off, I'm afraid to get too rough and break the bezel, switch or panel.
Thanks!

I have the same problem on my 02 Explorer. How do I get the switch bezel off without breaking it. A picture would help. The SEARCH function tells me every thing I don't want to know about switch bezel removal.

BT

 

[beertracker]

The following procedure tells how to remove the power window switch bezel. Taken from: http://www.automotivehelper.com/topic678361.htm

02 Explorer...

There are three sections to the door panel:
- The piece around the door handle is the first one to remove, it uses
clips and pulls out from the door at the front.
- Next, the piece with the window and door lock switch lifts up at the
front, then forward and out, disconnect the switch connectors.
- There are three screws holding the main panel, two at the bottom of
the door, and one behind the parts you just removed. Then lift the whole
panel upwards and tug it off the door.

BT