Intermittent Window Failure (4 windows)

[cjryan]

I have a 96 Ford Explorer XLT and all four windows occasionally will not work. One day they will work, the next the won't. It has been getting persistently worse. I don't think it's the fuse because they would stop working permanently if it was the fuse. Any Help Please??

In addition: My top brake light is out and I tried to figure out how to replace the bulb and there are no screws to take out the unit. How do you remove/replace it?

If you could help with either of these problems I would appreciate it.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Have you checked the main switch panel on the driver's door? The ground connection might be bad.

 

[budwich]

bad news on the brake light (3rd).... its not a "little bulb"... its a neon tube>>>>$$$$$$$. There a post in the lighting section on how to change it with leds and such.... you might be able to determine from that info on how to remove it in the first place. On the window front, if you have NO control from any switch when your problem occurs (yes not a fuse), then the problem lies with a wire going to the master control as all wiring goes there before it goes to other switches. Your problem is most likely a broken wire in the door post at the driver's side (check LB/BK) OR a fubarred accessory delay relay OR a fubarred battery saver relay and / or the wiring going to those relays. Do you have other "broken symptoms"... beside windows???? IF not then its probably not the relays but a wire.

 

[cjryan]

windows & brake light

Brooklyn bay,
Are you referring to the master controll switch on the driver's side door?

Budwich,
the only electrical problem i've been having is the windows; what do you mean by check (LB/BK)? It sounds like the problem may be one of the wires connecting to the master control switch. Is the best way to investigate this by removing the door panel and examining the wires connecting to the driver's master control switch?

Thanks for your help

 

[BrooklynBay]

Yes, I was referring to the master control switch assembly. Budwich was referrring to the color code of the wire.