Replacement window switches - that are DIFFERENT ??

[ShadowsPapa]

Ok sounds good, I’ll take what you’ve said so far and see what I can come up with. Working on sourcing a broken window switch right now to scan and convert to an electronic rendering to base it off of. I’ll update here with any progress.

I wasn't very polite earlier - I should have started out very differently - with -
Thank you much for your kind offer of help.
I was frustrated - no excuse when someone offers help.

Good news for now - fingers crossed -
I went back to her JLU 4xe, removed the fob, opened hood, disconnected battery stuff, reconnected, closed hood (after triple checking the hood switches), pressed brake pedal, pressed big round button. Vehicle gave the green "ready' and I could tell it was powered up. I put it in D and moved forward a couple of feet. Yeah, it moved!
Reverse, moved it back where it was. Again, no errors.
So it was able to be put in ready mode and "driven", contrary to the hood open message.
I plugged in the level 1 charger again and it started charging normally (which it should not have needed since it was only unplugged for 24 hours and sat 3 or 4 days plugged in prior to that - it should have been at 100%)
At any rate, I now no longer see the hood open message and it seems normal.
Whatever happened during install resetting things and starting it (putting in ready mode, engine never started) seems to have clearned things up.
Still spooked, but hoping. She really needs the power up part as well as the switch mods.
Anyway, will think and see about ideals later now that that bit is over (at least for now - hope forever)

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[Burghardphotography]

I wasn't very polite earlier - I should have started out very differently - with -
Thank you much for your kind offer of help.
I was frustrated - no excuse when someone offers help.

Good news for now - fingers crossed -
I went back to her JLU 4xe, removed the fob, opened hood, disconnected battery stuff, reconnected, closed hood (after triple checking the hood switches), pressed brake pedal, pressed big round button. Vehicle gave the green "ready' and I could tell it was powered up. I put it in D and moved forward a couple of feet. Yeah, it moved!
Reverse, moved it back where it was. Again, no errors.
So it was able to be put in ready mode and "driven", contrary to the hood open message.
I plugged in the level 1 charger again and it started charging normally (which it should not have needed since it was only unplugged for 24 hours and sat 3 or 4 days plugged in prior to that - it should have been at 100%)
At any rate, I now no longer see the hood open message and it seems normal.
Whatever happened during install resetting things and starting it (putting in ready mode, engine never started) seems to have clearned things up.
Still spooked, but hoping. She really needs the power up part as well as the switch mods.
Anyway, will think and see about ideals later now that that bit is over (at least for now - hope forever)

No worries brother, I understand your frustration as someone who is disabled, and has a disabled partner. We go to great lengths to make their lives even just a bit easier. I’m really glad to hear you got the hood open issue solved, at least that’s one thing better.

Found a guy in my local Jeep club group who said he had a spare switch he could give me for if I could cover shipping, which was well worth the price in my mind. I got a shipping quote and sent him the money for the quoted shipping price aaaaand… he blocked me. So I’m going to go spend some time with my tail between my legs for getting scammed on Facebook so easily. Still have a couple more real friend leads on used switches for the mock-up I am waiting to hear back from.

Life lessons come in many forms I suppose ??‍

 

[azmojave]

Did anyone mention changing the driver window to manual? Just a thought.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Did anyone mention changing the driver window to manual? Just a thought.

LOL - That's even WORSE for a person with a handicap and bad left shoulder.
That would involve taking her left hand off the steering wheel, leaning forward and cranking the window.
I converted my 1982 Eagle SX4 to power windows because of my wife needing power windows and locks.

My wife with my grandson - taken a few years ago -

She can't completely straighten her left arm - the elbow has limited functionality

I know - it's hard to understand some birth defects and handicaps. Even I, after more than 34 years forget her limitations. And frankly, knowing how she's lived and worked and all she's accomplished over the years, her blue-ribbon quilts and pictures, you forget she's got any "limitations".

 

[ShadowsPapa]

We go to great lengths to make their lives even just a bit easier.

Yup. A doctor once pointed out to me after hours of psyc tests (for my ADHD diagnosis) that there's nothing I wouldn't do for her. You find treasure, you take care of it.
I worked at On With Life in the early 90s - a head injury rehab facility, then later at Voc Rehab (I was IT/security) - a government agency that helped disabled people find employment, training and so on.
You learn a lot.
She started there right out of high school is how I got connected with the job later. She had to move out of home early because of the mental abuse from her mother and lack of care she got. Shunned by her own mother, dates who never returned or left before the date.
People, amazing.

Anyway, I have wondered about something that might fit the stock switches (will take some crazy secure glue or tape).
It would by necessity obscure the switch lighting but I'm sure some tiny panel light could be rigged up easily using the feed that goes to the window switches.
It could extend out a small bit, then down, making a downward lever for the down/down auto feature, and then also a lever going upward that could be pushed that would pull the switch up.
I wish I had a spare switch to experiment with to see of my idea even would work.
I'm creative when inspired and SEE things. Coming up with something out of the blue - not so great at that at all. I rely more than almost anyone else (according to experts) on experiences, visual cues and perceptual reasoning.
Anyway, my creativity has limits. (don't tell my wife, she thinks my son and I are creative geniuses! Don't want to burst her bubble.)

 

[Viper501]

maybe @JeepCares can help since mobility issues can affect a variety of people?

 

[RudeJeepin]

What about going to the local pick a part and looking through other vehicles. Maybe you can find a set from the driver door arm rest that could be rewired.
Just spit balling.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

maybe @JeepCares can help since mobility issues can affect a variety of people?

I was thinking similar things a few hours ago. We'll see how Nick does. Frankly, if a solution is devised, I'm all for him getting credit on it, or at least presenting it out in the wild as there are a lot of people with handicaps - either by birth, military service, whatever. There's a whole world out there of people who might benefit.
I recall the early years of adaptive equipment. A vet had a van in the 1970s when I worked in a shop and he wanted to be sure the side door was closed once he got his wheelchair up to the driver's position and strapped in - didn't want to have to go back and check. So I set up a buzzer and light on the dash for him. I made it sensitive so that if that door wasn't fully latched, it would trigger. I was amazed by, and interested in, the throttle and brake controls that had been rigged up for him.
I had considered contacting JC to see if I could be put in contact with anyone in the company who dealt with such things.

We need more people who care.

 

[Gatorized]

Just curious - thought the auto up module you added had a fob function to activate windows… or maybe it was something else I was thinking of. Not that it matters since it seems to be giving you problems anyway.
another thought I had - you mentioned getting those purple switch covers -
hot glue makes a good temporary connection - i think you see them using it for that paintless dent removal. With the switch cover on, you could hot glue on various extensions to experiment to see what works the best before building a permanent solution without damaging the rubber switch pieces. An alternative might be whatever it is women use for attaching those fake fingernails. I have no experience with it so do not know how strong it is but assume it is not permanent.
The switches themselves offer very little room for modifying to add on - a ’fake fingernail’ of sorts might allow the extra area you need to attach a toggle extension.
I have the 6 sp so there is limited room between the shifter and the dash. Not sure how that varies on the 4xe, but it seems like just a longer switch by maybe an inch or so would allow the extra leverage to operate with just the back of the hand or a knuckle- if there is room.
I don’t quite know exactly how your wife’s disability limits the switch operation, but wondered if a ‘T’ extension would allow her to grip between the fingers (palm down) to pull up. I seem to find it easier for myself to operate the switches palm up so I can see how difficult it would be if I couldn’t rotate my hand to palm up.
for my last off the deep end idea - pull the switch module out of the dash, replace with a cover plate - they must have a mopar part number for the roll up windows - and mount the switch module on a flexible stalk out of that cover plate with extended wires so it can be placed in a more convenient place.
these are all just wild and crazy ideas that hopefully help you find a viable solution.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I have the 6 sp so there is limited room between the shifter and the dash. Not sure how that varies on the 4xe,

That part, at least, is the same as the Gladiator (automatic JT, that is). When in park, there's very little space between shifter and switches. That limits things as she's got to reach over with her left hand, and use both hands to push the button and pull the shifter back into reverse or drive. So it's not like you or I reaching in with our right hand, there's plenty of space for us. I've got to watch how far anything sticks out on the switches or she'd not get her hands in there to shift into gear without hitting a window switch.

Not a ton of space there when in park..........but the switches may be just high enough and just far enough away from the shifter to make something work.
If you've seen a JT with automatic, you've seen this part of a 4xe Wrangler as well. That bit is the same (thankfully)

 

[Gatorized]

That part, at least, is the same as the Gladiator (automatic JT, that is). When in park, there's very little space between shifter and switches. That limits things as she's got to reach over with her left hand, and use both hands to push the button and pull the shifter back into reverse or drive. So it's not like you or I reaching in with our right hand, there's plenty of space for us. I've got to watch how far anything sticks out on the switches or she'd not get her hands in there to shift into gear without hitting a window switch.



Not a ton of space there when in park..........but the switches may be just high enough and just far enough away from the shifter to make something work.
If you've seen a JT with automatic, you've seen this part of a 4xe Wrangler as well. That bit is the same (thankfully)

you’ve got a scosh more room on the 4xe - I believe the manual shifter is taller. it physically blocks the switches from being operated straight on. Hopefully it will be a simpler fix If you only need to modify the drivers window switch it.

 

[Burghardphotography]

Just curious - thought the auto up module you added had a fob function to activate windows… or maybe it was something else I was thinking of. Not that it matters since it seems to be giving you problems anyway.
another thought I had - you mentioned getting those purple switch covers -
hot glue makes a good temporary connection - i think you see them using it for that paintless dent removal. With the switch cover on, you could hot glue on various extensions to experiment to see what works the best before building a permanent solution without damaging the rubber switch pieces. An alternative might be whatever it is women use for attaching those fake fingernails. I have no experience with it so do not know how strong it is but assume it is not permanent.
The switches themselves offer very little room for modifying to add on - a ’fake fingernail’ of sorts might allow the extra area you need to attach a toggle extension.
I have the 6 sp so there is limited room between the shifter and the dash. Not sure how that varies on the 4xe, but it seems like just a longer switch by maybe an inch or so would allow the extra leverage to operate with just the back of the hand or a knuckle- if there is room.
I don’t quite know exactly how your wife’s disability limits the switch operation, but wondered if a ‘T’ extension would allow her to grip between the fingers (palm down) to pull up. I seem to find it easier for myself to operate the switches palm up so I can see how difficult it would be if I couldn’t rotate my hand to palm up.
for my last off the deep end idea - pull the switch module out of the dash, replace with a cover plate - they must have a mopar part number for the roll up windows - and mount the switch module on a flexible stalk out of that cover plate with extended wires so it can be placed in a more convenient place.
these are all just wild and crazy ideas that hopefully help you find a viable solution.

I think you’ve summed up the basics for what I hope to design, an outward extension that can easily be toggle up or down, similar to a t shape, though with the orientation of the buttons it might end up looking more like a L on its back.

What I am honestly hoping is that I can disassemble a unit and create a whole new replaceable switch by creating a mold off of the original. That way there won’t be a worry of glue or rubber failing from use.

 

[Burghardphotography]

That part, at least, is the same as the Gladiator (automatic JT, that is). When in park, there's very little space between shifter and switches. That limits things as she's got to reach over with her left hand, and use both hands to push the button and pull the shifter back into reverse or drive. So it's not like you or I reaching in with our right hand, there's plenty of space for us. I've got to watch how far anything sticks out on the switches or she'd not get her hands in there to shift into gear without hitting a window switch.

Not a ton of space there when in park..........but the switches may be just high enough and just far enough away from the shifter to make something work.
If you've seen a JT with automatic, you've seen this part of a 4xe Wrangler as well. That bit is the same (thankfully)

Man i was just talking with my pysch yesterday because we’re switching up some ADHD meds for me. My partner is going for the start of her evaluation for the same literally tomorrow, so we know very well how that goes!

I have the auto in mine, so I’ll make sure to take distance to the shifter in park into consideration ??

 

[Hootbro]

Hindsight being 20/20, is the Wrangler the best pick of a vehicle for her? Human Factors in engineering design usually are modeled around median average model of the human form. That is generally a middle 20% it will be perfect for with 40% on both sides it will be a compromise to some degree.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Hindsight being 20/20, is the Wrangler the best pick of a vehicle for her? Human Factors in engineering design usually are modeled around median average model of the human form. That is generally a middle 20% it will be perfect for with 40% on both sides it will be a compromise to some degree.

The only real issues at this point are the window switches - which I also hate and believe are way too stiff and clumsy to operate.
For me, I am not talking about their not being on the doors, but the type and difficulty of the switch itself. Very tight spring, very short handle.
Otherwise, for her, it's the seat bar - which can easily be resolved. One way is for me to move it back to her position each time I'm done driving it. So I can only blame me if she has trouble reaching it. If I never drove it, the seat would be 0 problem at all. So that's on me, but I have an idea on that as well that will make it easy for her to use. (I put a silver paint pen mark on the tracks at each of our preferred positions so it's really simple to put it back)
The strap to adjust the seat back works perfect for both of us.
Getting in and out - solved with power steps. I put them on my truck because I have the same issue. I had the same problem with my Silverado so I can't blame Jeep. It's how trucks and SUVs are or can be.
Otherwise, most things are things that would be common to most vehicles.
Getting past the window switches will be the only real tough thing to deal with.

She used to be a Camaro person but since owning my Comanche and then going to Cherokee and ultimately to Grand Cherokee and my trucks, she likes a vehicle where she is above the ground and can see around her and around all of the other large vehicle out there.

If you tried to get a vehicle where there was nothing at all as far as issues, or accessibilities, you'd be walking everywhere. When you have a handicap, every vehicle has drawbacks. It would be something with the tailgate or something with door handles or something with some other bits.
Until the Grand Cherokee powered their liftgate, I often had to close the rear hatch for her, or she struggled to reach it. On the Wrangler the work-around was a simple purple strap on the back window. Problem solved.

I noticed that with some vehicles, including the Grand Cherokee, with the shifter having a button on the side of the handle, it was impossible for her to shift it without using both hands. With the interlock button on the FRONT of the handle it's easier.
With it on the left of the knob or handle, it's intended to be thumb operated - but what if you have no thumbs? Even me with my thumbs locking up now and then due to having worn out the joints in my hands from decades of work, I can't always push a "thumb button" in, so I guess I should stop driving LOL. The interlock button on the front is SMART - on the side is very assuming. Maybe all design engineering jobs should go to imperfect people with imperfect bodies instead of people with perfect limbs and perfect bodies designing vehicles? Seems sort of assuming of them.

I worked with such people for so long in various situations, there's always something. It's just that in this case, it's more difficult because of the complexity of the switches.
I hate these window switches, too. They are a pain in the butt.
Why they made them as they did instead of like those they put in all of their other brand vehicles, I'll never figure out. They could have use almost any other sort of switch in the same spot. There's just no reason to make them so stiff and short (that we are aware of..........)

I've found out from talking with design engineers for AMC/Jeep over the years, it's often the call of a single person how they want to do it. Very possible in this case, One guy chose this setup.

Anyway, it comes down to just one thing - the window switches.

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