BMW Window/Sunroof Switch - Genuine BMW 61311381205

Product Information

A door window switch is the electrical component that activates a vehicle’s window regulator motor to be raised or lowered. In most North American market European cars, the driver has a complex window switch that controls all 4 windows, and it is usually located on the driver's door. Some models of Mercedes Benz and Saab also have the window switches located centrally. The switches are usually simple, consisting of plastic buttons or toggles that connect to electrical contacts and are occasionally backlit for higher visibility.

Common failure modes of a door window switch include electrical contact wear, dirt or debris obstructing the switch mechanism, or internal circuitry failure. When diagnosing a faulty window switch, it's important to first rule out other potential issues, such as a failed window motor, blown fuse, or wiring problems.

If the switch feels loose or doesn’t click when pressed, it may indicate mechanical wear inside the switch. In cases where the window only works intermittently, the issue could be dirt buildup inside the switch or a loose connection, but more often intermittent window lift problems are related to the regulator and motor. A multimeter can be used to test whether the switch is properly sending an electrical signal to the motor. If the motor works when applying 12 volts to the motor connector, but the window doesn’t respond to the switch, it is likely the switch itself that needs replacing

• Window doesn't roll down: With enough actuation its likely that a switch will eventually fail, typically for the most used window. If the window has two switches, for instance, the driver switch pack and a rear door window switch, the other switch should continue to work. That’s a dead giveaway of a broken switch.
• Window operation is intermittent: If a switch is dirty or contaminated by crumbs or a spilled beverage, the operation could be intermittent. Apply 12v directly to the window motor, if it works as it should, the switch should be cleaned or replaced.
• Burned-out lights: In many European vehicles, the window switches will be backlit for easy night usability. Even in some modern luxury cars, the window switches may still use an incandescent bulb which of course can burn out. You can choose to try and replace the bulbs, but switches and switch packs are rarely serviceable and you would need to replace the unit to achieve appropriate lighting.

About Genuine BMW

The original parts used by BMW to build your car are available as replacement parts under the “Genuine BMW” brand. When ordering a Genuine BMW part you are guaranteed to get the same part that you would pick up from your local dealerships part department. Genuine BMW parts have been built to BMW’s stringent standards and are the same quality of the original parts used to build your Ultimate Driving Machine.

You may not realize this, but the parts that make up your BMW are not necessarily manufactured by BMW. No cause for concern, as BMW designs the part, hires a manufacturer, and ensures its quality to you. In fact, many of these manufacturers have been making parts for BMW for decades. In our industry these manufacturers are called OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers), and these are often brands you recognize, including Lemforder, ZF, Sachs, Bosch, Valeo, Zimmermann, Siemens VDO, Corteco, and more. Don’t be surprised to open that Genuine BMW parts box and find an OEM branded part inside, simply with the addition of a BMW logo.

Be sure to keep an eye out for OE tags on our product pages to quickly identify parts coming direct from OE manufacturers. That extra bit of insight could save you some serious money while shopping! Refer to our OE Academy for further information regarding the OE/OEM tags throughout the site.