Intermittent Inop -- All Windows

[Johnny Glenn]

Thanks for looking in -- I've got an 03 XLS that the windows work sometimes. Either they all work or none. I've checked wiring and switched out the driver window switch panel but nothing fixed problem yet. I have found that when not working the ground has been changed to "hot" in the drivers window switch panel but then later windows are working again. Any ideas? Also there's a chiming or beeping sound coming from dash sometimes -- like a seatbelt alert but no warning lights. Does anyone know where that chime is located -- might just disable it but maybe problems are related? Thanks!

 

[rocco123]

Read many times on this site that wires break at the drivers harness at the hinge point. That's where I would start. When you say a normal ground appears "hot"(12V) It would appear to me that wire lost & is seeking it's ground.

 

[Johnny Glenn]

Thanks for the reply -- That's what it turned out to be. My mechanic had checked that harness prior but missed it the first time.

 

[rocco123]

Mine recently broke too. Wire broke at drivers door hinge point. Simple splice and it works again. Just noticed that it really is poor design to have a 12 GA wire bend at that hinge the way it does. My buddy's trailblazer has similar harness, but at the hinge point one part of the harness is a bit higher than the other. This makes the harness slightly twist when the door is open / closed and won't mend and stress the harness like the explorers banding back and forth.