Year: 2005
Trim: SE

Hello everyone! Here is my dilemma. While at a drive thru a few weeks ago I spilled my sweet tea on my driver side door controls while attempting to grab it from the lady working at the window. My power windows worked immediately after the incident, but the next morning I realized that some damage was done. They are all currently stuck in the up position, thankfully.

Effects of the spill:
- Key fob no longer unlocks or locks the vehicle.
- All driver door controls no longer work.
- Power window controls on each individual door no longer work.
- Radio remains on after turning the vehicle off and removing the key from the ignition.

I have some basic tools to work with such as a multimeter (though I don't know how to use it), screwdrivers, etc. I'd like to fix the problem myself but I don't know much about cars or electronic troubleshooting. I'm trying my best to learn, hence the desire to fix this issue myself. It has been getting quite hot out lately and I hate having to run my A/C continuously. Common sense told me to remove the driver door switch assembly since it was soaked in sweet tea, so I have already done that but I honestly don't know what to do now. I'd like to avoid purchasing a new one until a verify whether or not that is the proper fix, due to a relatively tight budget.

I really hope that I provided enough detail and that someone can help me get my baby back up and running properly ASAP! If there are any questions I'll try my best to monitor this post at least once a day and respond as clearly as I can. Thank you all in advance!

You'll probably end up replacing the switch cluster regardless. The sugar messes them up.

What happens to the radio when you open the driver'* door?

One idea you could try, remove battery terminals, and spray down the entire switch assembly with electrical contact cleaner.
Then use compressed air and repeat a few times, that may get things working again.

I like this! One bit of caution: Try a little contact cleaner on the plastic and see if it discolors or deforms the plastic unacceptably before going full tilt cleaning the switches..