Power windows problem

[Stumpuller6.5]

Hey guys, so on my 88, the drivers window was smashed out, and PO had a new switch wired in with merrets (sp?), and any who, none of the windows go up or down. There is power to the drivers side switch. and I checked there is power to the motor. (man was it tough getting my arm in the door to unhook it!)

I have not checked for power to any of the other switches, but they also do not work.

Thinking about it now I should make sure the ground is good, as I just used a test light to check for power...

Oh, anyone know the resistance of the motor? it would be a pain but i could verify that they are good or not, though I can`t see all four being bad at once....

But any other insight would be awesome. :thumbs:

 

[davbell22602]

Have you checked fuses? Maybe the power window fuse is blown.

 

[Stumpuller6.5]

There IS power at the switches, right to the motor too... Fuse must be fine.

 

[davbell22602]

What happens if try to unplug all window motors or just the switches. Then plug one in one at a time to see if the one motor plugged in operates the window

 

[Stumpuller6.5]

I don`t have the other door panels off, I should be able to get one working at a time. Unfortunately my service truck is in for service and I don`t have my multi-meter, just a test light.

Not much I can do till then just brainstorming.

 

[Stroked]

I don't know if this will help you much, but on my old '86 Silverado when the drivers side window switch went bad the passenger side switch wouldn't work. Then 2 months later the passenger side switch went bad and that caused the drivers side switch to not work.

 

[Stumpuller6.5]

Hmmm, That leads me to be suspicious of the drivers switch, as it does control all the windows. Maybe I will try jumping power to the motor and see if it does anything!

 

[Stumpuller6.5]

Well I think its a ground problem.... Not sure were the wires go under the dash though. Gonna need a schematic....

I used a test light hooked to the positive terminal battery, and touched all the window wires and none lit up. There is a large diameter red and black wire, the red is power(using test light to known ground), I`m assuming the black is the ground that is the problem cause it doesn`t light up...

 

[robert8096]

The switch reverses the positive wire and the ground wire to the motor. If I understand correctly you have the wire disconnected from the drivers side motor. Take the ground lead of the test light and hook it to a good ground. With the switch in the up position you should have 12V on one wire in the motor wire connector. Switch your test light to the other wire in the connector and put the switch in the down position and you should have 12v on that wire. Put both of your test light leads in the connector (one on each wire) of the power window motor and move the switch and see if it lights up. Reverse the test light wires and try the switch in the other position. If the test lights up in both tests then you have a bad or binding motor. If the test light does not light up then more than likely the master switch is bad or there is a ground wire problem. If the driver side switch is bad or there is a ground problem it will stop all of your windows from working. Since you can control all the windows from the drives side all the ground connections go thru that switch. Good luck.

 

[Stumpuller6.5]

Good call! Thanks for the help, I ran a jumper ground wire a BINGO! she works! woot!

 

[robert8096]

Great! More than likely a bad master switch.

 

[HotRodPC]

I don't know if this will help you much, but on my old '86 Silverado when the drivers side window switch went bad the passenger side switch wouldn't work. Then 2 months later the passenger side switch went bad and that caused the drivers side switch to not work.

yes, I've heard this too, and kinda what makes it's hard to daignose these power windows. I can only assume, it's all hooked up in 1 big series loop. 1 part malfunctions and they all malfunction is my understanding. BUT, I think it also depends on which portion or side of the switch malfunctions too, because you can also have an isolated malfunction. With 4 doors, you're gonna have even a little more hell working this out. But get it done, so I'll know what's up with my 85 K1500. No windows working in it either. They are like a lot of women I know... STUCK UP !!!

 

[HotRodPC]

The switch reverses the positive wire and the ground wire to the motor. If I understand correctly you have the wire disconnected from the drivers side motor. Take the ground lead of the test light and hook it to a good ground. With the switch in the up position you should have 12V on one wire in the motor wire connector. Switch your test light to the other wire in the connector and put the switch in the down position and you should have 12v on that wire. Put both of your test light leads in the connector (one on each wire) of the power window motor and move the switch and see if it lights up. Reverse the test light wires and try the switch in the other position. If the test lights up in both tests then you have a bad or binding motor. If the test light does not light up then more than likely the master switch is bad or there is a ground wire problem. If the driver side switch is bad or there is a ground problem it will stop all of your windows from working. Since you can control all the windows from the drives side all the ground connections go thru that switch. Good luck.

hmmm, wonder if I can try this. Bad part is, the young kid PO has cut the wiring off at the switch in his diagnosis. So I planned on replacing the door harnesses before I start diagnostics. All my harnesses are on another truck 70 miles away, but when I get them, I know I'll be doing this. For now, just trying to get the AC working then it won't matter as much.

 

[Joshua8336]

You must be registered for see images attach

schematic as asked for... hope this helps!

 

[Stumpuller6.5]

Excellent! I need to print it off and find were the ground is supposed to be!