Are the switches inside the car waterproof?

The electrical switches inside your vehicle control the functions of your entire vehicle. You have switches that turn your headlights and radio on or off, adjust the volume of your audio system, open power windows, and lock power door locks. While the features you control may be affected by the items themselves, such as the headlight assembly, switches inside your vehicle not designed to be waterproof.

Buttons such as power window controls and door lock switches are in close proximity to the window and could potentially be splashed with water if the window is left open. Manufacturers design their switches to cover the electrical contacts well, so slight contact with water should not be harmful.

Switches are not waterproof, so prolonged contact with water can cause not only immediate problems, but future problems due to switch corrosion. Corrosion can form on the contacts causing intermittent or complete failure, or it can form deep inside the switch. Also, the wiring to the switch may be corroded and must be repaired before the new switch will work.

Some SUVs, like the Jeep Wrangler, have shifters that are better weatherproof. In some cases, the switches on these vehicles have a rubber boot to make them waterproof, although they are still not waterproof. This is not the norm in the industry, so protect your car switches as much as possible from getting wet.