Liftgate exterior window switch replacement - I'm stuck!

[TheFuzz]

Liftgate exterior window switch replacement

Stopped by the local dealership and got a new exterior window switch for the liftgate. No idea how, but the previous owner managed to tear the button clean off so I have to use a pen to reach up in there and pop the glass. I have pulled the interior trim panel off of the liftgate, and I'm trying to unbolt the rear trim piece above the license plate (that the rear bowtie is attached to) so that I can gain access to the damn thing from the inside and throw the new switch in there. There are four 10mm nuts that hold the trim piece on (one of which is only accessible by removing the rear wiper motor...ugh).

Problem: the studs are spinning with the nuts, and nothing is loosening up. What gives here? Are these a one-time use thing that shear off and need to be replaced? It almost looks like the studs are made of plastic. I'm at a bit of a loss. I'd sure hate to run back to the dealership with the ass end of my truck all torn apart and say, "here, fix this"....but not sure what else to do.

Anyone have to replace one of these switches before?

For reference, here is the part number and the part I'm replacing:

Here is the piece I'm trying to remove - it's the small trim piece that the bowtie and license plate lamps are mounted to:

And why I'm replacing it..the old button is gone:

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[NathanJax]

yup, have fun with that. you should have bought a new applique since you will bust yours getting it off. It's VERY easy to replace that button, once you get the applique off.

I have a spare button I'll send you if you want to return the one you bought... jus sayin...



I've removed the applique a few times, but let me look for instructions on how to get it off.... brb

Here's some of my pics of the broken mounts on page 2

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48234

and many more threads about it...
http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44482

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44994&highlight=applique

 

[TheFuzz]

Thanks man...I searched and searched but I guess I wasn't using the right terms. I'll take a look at those threads and see what I'm up against.

 

[jplong]

yup, have fun with that. you should have bought a new applique since you will bust yours getting it off. It's VERY easy to replace that button, once you get the applique off.

I have a spare button I'll send you if you want to return the one you bought... jus sayin...



I've removed the applique a few times, but let me look for instructions on how to get it off.... brb

Here's some of my pics of the broken mounts on page 2

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48234

and many more threads about it...
http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44482

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44994&highlight=applique

This is the very button im looking for. I wouldnt blame the previous owner too much. the button is held in by a rubber seal. Once that deteriorates the plastic piece that pushes the switch falls out. I never use that button and mine fell off during a wash.

Nathan. Ill certinaly buy that butotn off of you if you still have it.

 

[jplong]

Stopped by the local dealership and got a new exterior window switch for the liftgate. No idea how, but the previous owner managed to tear the button clean off so I have to use a pen to reach up in there and pop the glass. I have pulled the interior trim panel off of the liftgate, and I'm trying to unbolt the rear trim piece above the license plate (that the rear bowtie is attached to) so that I can gain access to the damn thing from the inside and throw the new switch in there. There are four 10mm nuts that hold the trim piece on (one of which is only accessible by removing the rear wiper motor...ugh).

Problem: the studs are spinning with the nuts, and nothing is loosening up. What gives here? Are these a one-time use thing that shear off and need to be replaced? It almost looks like the studs are made of plastic. I'm at a bit of a loss. I'd sure hate to run back to the dealership with the ass end of my truck all torn apart and say, "here, fix this"....but not sure what else to do.

Anyone have to replace one of these switches before?

For reference, here is the part number and the part I'm replacing:

Here is the piece I'm trying to remove - it's the small trim piece that the bowtie and license plate lamps are mounted to:

And why I'm replacing it..the old button is gone:

Any help would be much appreciated.

Fuzz.... had same exact problem as you... I was able to install this switch in less than a minute. if you see in the pic of your old button. there is a ring of dry rotted rubber. that used to be a like a full cap that covers the plunger to the switch and holds it in. take a thin screwdriver or pick of some sort and remove the dry rotted ring. once you do it will create just enough "slop" in the mounting of the switch in the hole that you can get to the two tabs to push them in just enough to pop it out without removing anything.

 

[TheFuzz]

JP, you rock buddy! Sure enough, after having the damn replacement switch sitting in my cupholder for over three months, I finally popped the old one out tonight through the bottom of the applique!

It took a little more time to fanagle the old switch out than I expected because of the way it had turned in the hole (tabs were front to back rather than side to side, kinda hard to get to), but it still only took about 5 minutes. New switch works perfectly, it's great to be able to pop the glass now without using the remote!

 

[jplong]

Awesome. Glad to hear it work easy for you. So much better that pulling that appliqué off and spending half a day jb Welding the tabs back that you break during removal.

 

[sick1166]

sorry for sounding stupid ,but my plunger fell out today
Mine looks just like the pick do I leave the red circled parts in there and just insert new part?
thanks for the help

 

[TheFuzz]

Nope, once the plunger falls out you need to order a whole new switch assembly, it's about $35 bucks at the dealer.

Outside your outer-most red circle, you'll notice the dry rotted piece of rubber gasket. Remove it using a awl or pick (or flathead screwdriver if you're careful), and that will allow you to get enough play in the switch to pry it down a little and depress the tabs holding it in. Once you get the replacement switch in hand, you'll be able to see the tabs I'm referring to. Pull the old switch assembly down and out until you can see the connector. Unplug the old one, plug the new on in, and shove the whole thing back up into the hold until it seats.

You may not be able to pull the female part of the plug completely down and out of the hole; on mine it was just a hair to big to fit through and I didn't want to force it because the applique is already a little loose. Just hold the plug with a pair of channel locks or pliers on the little angled tab that sticks out, and you can plug the switch right in without issues.

 

[dkman610]

OMG OMG OMG!!
I was so happy to find this thread!
I noticed a few days ago that my formerly perfect button was NO LONGER THERE!! The rubber had wilted/rotted and there was nothing behind it! Although the rubber did not have any holes in it for anything to fall out! I am in the belief that someone possibly stole it! Not that this is the point anymore, but now that there is nothing in there, and I tore the rubber off, do I just go and get a new part and just slide it up in there? Does the new part come with a new piece of rubber to help hold it up in there? I'm reading each thread but each answer seems to be a little different. Thank you all for this though!

 

[jtanderson324]

GM part number is 15798062

Figured I'd pass along the part number, given to me by my local Chevrolet Parts department - 15798062. I saved about $10 buying it online vs. the parts department. I haven't received the part yet, but i'll follow what others have done and hope it works.

Just for reference, the parts department told me the name of the part is "Switch for Liftgate Window Release".

Works on several models, I'll be putting it on a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban.

 

[graymatters]

Thanks for the great info on this switch

Just wanted to say thank you in advance. I just noticed the rubber on my switch rotting away today. I was able to save the button inside.

Any chance that I can buy just the rubber seal part?

Now that I know I can replace this part easily from the outside I do not mind so much having to get a new switch.

Thanks!

 

[graymatters]

ACDelco D1994E replacement for 1579-8062 OEM

Just wanted to say thank you in advance. I just noticed the rubber on my switch rotting away today. I was able to save the button inside.

Any chance that I can buy just the rubber seal part?

Now that I know I can replace this part easily from the outside I do not mind so much having to get a new switch.

Thanks!

UPDATE: I was able to find this on Amazon as AC Delco PN D1994E for HALF the dealer price. I have Amazon prime so with Free 2-Day shipping I can wait till Tuesday.

 

[dkman610]

Success!!!

Okay gang, took me a few weeks (and a $45 part at the dealership) but I got it done.
All you have to do is carefully break out the entire part, (I ended up taking a needle nosed pliers and a pick) and got one side popped out by sticking the pick up towards one side of the expandable clip. I had a hard time doing the same with the other side so I just ended up carefully breaking it out of there. When I pulled it down/out the cable was pretty short so I had to hold the clip that was attached to the switch so it wouldn't recoil back up into the tailgate but as soon as I snapped on the new switch the glass popped open. I snapped the switch back up into its own housing and saved myself the $240 the dealership quoted me (with part) to do, it only took 5 total minutes with my uncle helping out.

 

[crotonevans]

bought on ebay for 19. $ like amazon s price got free shipping and took 5 min to break old one out and new in thank u all so much
big help

 

[CAPT75]

Glad I found this thread! I'll have to be removing the appliqué on my 2007 Denali. Had body work done and apparently they didn't hook up the wiring harness correctly and now neither of the license plate lights illuminate. So the only way to remove it is to remove the interior panel? The button for the whole power lift hate also broke on me. Does anyone have the part number for that too?

 

[Mike M]

Great site and great thread.

I just registered on the site. I have an 08 Denali with about 60k miles.
I use this button all the time, and eventually wore the rubber pad completely out. Thanks to Ridgelines post I ordered the switch, and replaced it in a few minutes. Got the part @ www.gmpartsdirect.com. $27 with free shipping code "freeship", and didn't have any Dow time at the dealer. Thanks to all.

Mike M.

 

[EEClem]

Another option for purchase

I found this tread just in time. I was going to bring my 07 Tahoe in to have this fixed. After reading all the advice, I canceled my appointment and found the piece at rockauto.Com for about $22.00 total with 3-6 day shipping. I'll try remember to update when I get it replaced. Thanks guys!

 

[EEClem]

video update

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_MaUhsFZybQ

I put up a short video of me replacing the switch. Thanks to the advice from above I decided to try fix it myself and I was successful. I Hope the video helps someone else!

 

[joshcarl]

my wife insisted on replacing the switch herself when we found ours was bad. she's mildly mechanically inclined and had it done in less than 15 minutes, thanks to previous posts like this!