After disassembly I noticed the switch had been disconnected all along. First install left me disappointed, but some WD40 contact cleaner resolved the issue. Works like a charm! Identical piece for about 9 bucks.
Side note; those 4 nuts and bolts for the handle are absolute genius! Washer and nut pressed as one piece with the washer still spinning freely. Also the bolt tip was designed as a torx head, most likely an anti overtorque feature. Very clever.
Window switch is 100% possible to replace from the outside even though I had the interior panel removed because of the other switch. Works perfectly, about 5 bucks.
And an air freshener for good measure.