How to replace the driver side power window switch in a 2003 Honda Civic coupe

If the power window switch on the driver's side of your 2003 Civic is failing, you can purchase a new switch yourself and replace it, rather than taking your car in to an auto shop or a dealer service center.  eBay often has replacement switches for around $40 -- much cheaper than most auto parts stores.  Just make sure you are purchasing the correct switch for your year and model, and be sure that it's the two-door version, not the four-door switch.  Once you have the new switch, replacing it shouldn't take more than a half hour.

Before replacing the switch, turn the car off.  (You can replace it with the car running, but it's good safety practice to remove unnecessary voltage when working with electricity.)  The switch is attached to the piece of trim around the top of the arm rest assembly, so both will be taken off together, then separated.

There is a small circular cover in the center of the arm rest tray.  The cover has a slight hole toward the front side; use a small slotted screwdriver or a pocketknife to pop this cover up, removing a screw underneath.  The screw can be removed with a regular or large Phillips screwdriver.

Once the screw is out, there are several tabs holding the arm rest in place.  Use your slotted screwdriver or pocketknife to pop these tabs out, starting at the front of the arm rest and working your way toward the back.  You can see the line where the top of the arm rest separates from the side door -- this top piece is the part you want to remove.

Work your screwdriver or blade under this top piece, prying it up, until the upper arm rest piece is loose from the side door.  Pull it up and out toward you to expose the wires and large connector underneath.

To remove the connector, push in on the tab located on the bottom of the connector in the middle,  and pull the switch and connector away from each other.  It may take a bit of force, but with the tab pushed in the connector will separate from the switch.

Now you can remove the switch from the arm rest.  There are three screws on the underside of the switch; remove these with a regular Phillips screwdriver and the switch will come free.  Install the new switch, with the three buttons poking through the correct holes, and reattach the three screws.

Push the connector back into the terminal on the switch, making sure the tab faces the bottom.  Then push the switch and arm rest back into place on the side door.  Slide the back end in first, with the large tab and then push down on the arm rest around the sides and the front until it snaps back into place.  Be careful as you are doing this not to pinch any wires.

Your new switch is now installed.  Turn the car on and make sure both window switches and the window lock all work correctly.

(Originally published on Helium.com, April 2012)