RETRO-MOD: Installing auto-down power window(s) in a 2 door squarebody

[RetroC10Sport]

This writeup is for installing auto-down window(s) in a 2 door squarebody. It will work for a Suburban/Crew cab too, you would need the wiring diagram to find the up wire and the down wire from the motor. If you are not aware of what auto-down windows are, this is a feature in newer cars and trucks where you tap the window switch and the window rolls down by itself without having to hold the switch down.

Difficulty: 2/10 (10 hardest)

Items needed:

*Auto down module (x2 for passenger side)
*Tools to remove the door panels
*Wire strippers
*Wire cutters

First of all, you will need the auto-down module from any 1993-98 GM C or H body which includes Buick LeSabre/Park Avenue; Olds 88/98 and Pontiac Bonneville. The module is located in the front door and has 4 wires coming out of it. Below is a picture.

Get a length of wire with it too, as much as you can.

Now you can begin the install. Remove your door panel(s) and find the 12+ switched wire (pink) coming from the window switch. The wire colours coming from the module are different colours I have found so I will simply label them A, B, C, and D and those letter are marked on the connector.

Make sure to find a location for the module that will allow enough wire to reach the main window harness and stay out of the way of moving parts.

Wire colours from the main harness will be the same from side to side (I think).

Wire A will be spliced in line with the pink wire. No cut, just splice.

Next locate the DARK BLUE wire that goes from the window switch to the window motor and tap in to this wire using wire C from the module. No cut, just splice.

Now locate the brown wire that goes from the window switch to the window motor. You will CUT this wire. Wire B from the module will be spliced with the side coming FROM THE WINDOW SWITCH and Wire D will be spliced with the side coming FROM THE WINDOW MOTOR.

Pop the switch from the door panel and plug it in the connector, turn the key to on and test your work.

Now you can ziptie the module in place making sure it is away from any moving parts and that the door panel can be replaced.

If everything works as it should, button it all back up and enjoy or do the other side and then enjoy.

 

[kleedus]

wow that is awesome

 

[Driver4r]

looks like ill start collecting these also

 

[89Suburban]

Does this eliminate the intermittent down option?

 

[chengny]

Does this eliminate the intermittent down option?


That was my first thought too. But, if that module responds like most, it probably only requires a momentary tap on the up side of the switch. That generally will halt the auto-down function and the glass will stay where it was when the power was reversed.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

That was my first thought too. But, if that module responds like most, it probably only requires a momentary tap on the up side of the switch. That generally will halt the auto-down function and the glass will stay where it was when the power was reversed.

You are correct.

 

[offroad-cowboy]

What about auto up feature may have to find 8 modules for my dually

sent by telegraph from my k30

 

[bucket]

So this should work just the same on other GM cars, right? And I could install these in my Camaro just by removing the shift bezel I'd assume.

 

[offroad-cowboy]

In theory yea

sent by telegraph from my k30

 

[RetroC10Sport]

Si Senior.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

What about auto up feature may have to find 8 modules for my dually

sent by telegraph from my k30

I haven't tried it, but you should be able to just reverse the procedure.

 

[bucket]

I haven't tried it, but you should be able to just reverse the procedure.

I think your choice would be auto down or auto up, not both. Otherwise there would be no way to keep the window anywhere that's not fully closed or fully open?

 

[RetroC10Sport]

Not sure. Someone did it with Ford modules.

 

[offroad-cowboy]

I think your choice would be auto down or auto up, not both. Otherwise there would be no way to keep the window anywhere that's not fully closed or fully open?

In my friends boneville if you hold the button for more than just a tap it will stop when you let go so im thinking it might work....... gonna have to try it when i do the power window conversion on my dually

sent by telegraph from my k30

 

[bucket]

In my friends boneville if you hold the button for more than just a tap it will stop when you let go so im thinking it might work....... gonna have to try it when i do the power window conversion on my dually

sent by telegraph from my k30

We even had a Bonneville in the family for years, but I just couldn't remember how the driver window responded to the switch.