I have been having this problem on and off for a few years now where all my window controls will not work for anything between 3 minutes to a few hours. I never managed to figure out what got them working again, they simply did, except for this time… They have not been working for 2 days now and since they stopped after rolling down it is a bigger problem.
Can anyone give me some ideas for how to diagnose the situation?
Thanks so much for your help!
Operate the windows from the drivers master switch while slowly opening and closing the drivers door.
If at some point while opening and closing the door, and any window functions, the problem is probably with the wiring harness between the door jamb and drivers door.
Tester
Most likely the master window switch has failed. Locate a wiring diagram for the switch and check for power to the switch and going out from the switch when the buttons are pressed.
Do you have an electrical schematic of your car’s power window system? Without posting that, it will be hard to offer much of a suggestion, other than spot checking for broken wires at the door jams and loose connectors. Since the problem exists in all the doors, the ideas posted above focusing on the master control of the drivers doors are good ones to consider.
I agree that the problem is probably with the wiring harness between the door jamb and driver’s door. You can troubleshoot this by opening the driver’s door fully and operating the master switch. Keep closing the door a little at a time and if the windows start working…replace the wiring harness.
These are all excellent suggestions, thanks so much. I tried slowly opening and closing the door while operating the master switches and had no luck. I’ll keep looking for loose wires, and I will see if I can pull up an electrical schematic for the car.
SteveC76 Duct Tape Specialist August 3 Most likely the master window switch has failed. Locate a wiring diagram for the switch and check for power to the switch and going out from the switch when the buttons are pressed.
Will I need some kind of equipment to check if power is coming or going from the master switch? Or did you just mean to see where it is routed on the diagram?
Also, is there a way to close the windows without the switches cooperating?
I am not having any luck finding an electrical diagram/schematic for the windows. I looked closer at the wiring harness in the doorjamb and did not notice any loose connections, but I will open up the door panel and see if anything is loose in there.
Otherwise, it sounds like what I’m hearing is that the master switch needs to be replaced. Is that correct?
No, what you’re hearing is likely possibilities. Actual troubleshooting can only be done hands-on.
Yes, you would “need some kind of equipment to check if power is coming or going from the master switch”. That would be a multimeter.
Please don’t read this as being disrespectful, it’s only meant to be helpful, but your question that I quoted above suggests that you’re not knowledgeable of electrical circuits or equipment. You might be better served to have a shop that specializes in automotive electrical systems diagnose and repair it. They’ll have the expertise, knowledge, equipment, and access to the schematics necessary to do the job.
That entire response actually read as quite condescending so if that’s not what you were going for, you should work on that.
Your information was helpful though so thank you for that much at least. I did take the car to a shop and they gave me a guess as well so I am looking for more opinions.
Sakari, TSM was just being honest, and not condescending at all. If you take the truth as condescending, then that is your problem.
Here are the diagrams
Thanks for diagrams @knfenimore. You have come through again.
There is a simple test light probe you could check for power with. This is a very common thing used to check for power and cheap to purchase. Whenever you have trouble like this you should always check the fuses for power as a first step. If the fuses are good then checking the main power wire to the master switch would be next, as shown in the first drawing on pin C1. The service folks should get you fixed up without much trouble.
@Sakari, I can see how you might interpret mountainbike’s response as condescending, but he isn’t like that at all. It is often difficult to und stand a response fully when you can’t see the people and how they react. Mountainbike is a long-time regular and a real straight shooter.
It’s not at all what I was going for. I will work on it, I promise. Apologies if I offended.
No worries guys, no harm done.
And thanks for the diagrams and further advice, this is great! I’ll keep you posted how it goes.
@Sakari do you have a voltmeter or test light? If so follow the diagram above, first check for power coming into the switch with the key on. I lf you have power coming in you then need to check for power coming out with a switch pressed.