Another power window problem

[The_Hammer]

Hi all,

I have been reading through all of the threads on power window problems and have already attempted some of the fixes with no result so far today.

My truck: 1998 XLT, 4 door, 4x4.

Problem: Randomly all 4 windows stopped working. No switch for any window would work. 1 day later they would all start working again for a mater of minutes then stop working again. It is on and off, either they all work or they all don't work. Most of the time they don't work.

All other electronics and switches in the same area work. Power mirrors, door locks, puddle, stereo etc etc Everything but the windows works. Vehicle is in very good condition.

Attempted fix: Buddy suggested cleaning all the wire contacts at the switches on the driver side door with electrical parts cleaner and lettin it dry etc. Tried this, didn't work. Through reading on here it seemed like a common thing is the accessory delay relay found under the dash near the gas pedal/radio. I took this box apart and found 6 small relays and 1 big one. The big one I was informed is the one I wanted to change. I changed that, didn't work. I don't know if I should change any of the other ones under there.

I inspected all fuses under the hood and in the little one near the driver side door. No fuses appear to be toasted.

My next thing I was planning on checking was if there was a broken wire (probably ground) in the driver side door jam. But didn't really want to get into that kinda stuff, in a hope that the relay would work.

So just wondering if anyone has any ideas or advice etc.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[The_Hammer]

Ok I think I found the problem/problems. I pulled the boot off in the door jam of the driver side door and instantly found multiple broken wires. There are small wires which look like they go to the unlock/lock buttons, I think they are 16 guage and then there are slightly larger wires which go to all the window buttons, I think 14 guage.

At least 3 of the small 16 guage wires are broken in the door jam, a red with black stripe, solid yellow, and pink with green stripe. This may explain why my driver side unlock has never worked.

Also the 14 guage light blue with black stripe wire is broken in the door jam and from what I have read in other threads this is the main power wire to the main switch for the power windows??? If this is true I assume this is my culprit.

Are there any tips for getting the boot and little canister looking thing off in the door jam, it doesn't seem like there is much room to work with. Any tips on creating more room in there or more slack on the wires???

Thanks guys and I will keep updated.

I plan to tackle these wires tomorrow night, splicing in new wire and looking for more broken wires.

 

[MeanJim]

I thought I'd pull this thread back up. This is exactly the problem I've had the last few weeks on my 2003 Explorer. None of my power windows would work unless I held the door open in the right position. Sometimes they wouldn't work at all. Sometimes I'd have to wiggle the door a lot to get my windows back up. I finally decided to tackle it and figure it out.

I took off the inside door panel and after a lot of testing, found that the blue wire with black stripe was the main hot wire for all the power windows. I peeled back the rubber boot between the door and body. I dug around in the cluster of wire until I found the blue/black wire, and it came right out. Severed. I added several inches of wire by attaching between the breaks with scotch-locks. Luckily, there was enough wire on each side to work with.

All my Windows work again, even with the driver door closed! Imagine, not having to swing your door open to open or close your windows while driving!

 

[Grizz593]

Thanks for the post! I started having the same problem with my windows a few days ago. I found 2 broken wires & a 3rd ready to go. Windows are fixed & now so is my power mirrors that died over 2 years ago.