Window Won't Go Down

[Broosedamoose]

My drivers side window suddenly won't go down. It went up fine and I can hear the motor strain when I hit the UP side of the switch. The passenger side works fine. I already checked the relay and that's not the problem. Also, the switch assembly is only a month old because I was having issues with the passenger side window. Anyone know what else it could be?

 

[fastpakr]

My gut instinct is to be suspicious of the new switch assembly. Have you probed the connector to the window motor to see what happens when you press the button each direction?

 

[Josh B]

Shoot it again!
Since it's making noises I almost suspect mechanical malfunction. worn slide, bushing etc.
You say it strains when you press "UP", but when you press "Down" does it make any noises.

Do you have a shop doing the work? Why did they send it back in this condition without informing you why

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Lube up the rails. Its common on toyota Camry's to cause issues. Did it to my uncles and they worked much better.

 

[rumblecloud]

On my Ranger, I have an issue with the window not wanting to go back up --- but only when I power it completely down. It seems like one of the teeth in the window regulator gear gets stuck in between. A good hard rap on the lower door panel sometimes breaks it loose and helps it make up its mind. The window slides/guides also have an effect on how smooth the action is.

 

[fastpakr]

My interpretation of the question was that the window is currently up, and the motor wasn't giving any indication of a response in the downward direction, but that you could hear some indication of power being applied to go upward. If that's the case, it doesn't sound to me like a mechanical issue with the regulator, rails, etc.

It would be pretty easy to test by pulling the door panel off and applying 12v in both directions to the motor connector. If you can make it go downwards doing that, it's not mechanical.

 

[rumblecloud]

@fastpakr I'm not disputing what you say at all, just relaying my experiences.

I've had mine out so many times I can prolly do it blind folded. I've pulled the motors apart and even replaced motor brushes (that was a pain). Everyone knows about the plastic gears in the regulator. When they disintegrate, the pieces manage to get everywhere inside the casing and even one little piece can gum of the works and stop the motor/gear from turning.

So yes, pulling the door panel is the only way to really figure it out.

 

[fastpakr]

@fastpakr I'm not disputing what you say at all, just relaying my experiences.

I've had mine out so many times I can prolly do it blind folded. I've pulled the motors apart and even replaced motor brushes (that was a pain). Everyone knows about the plastic gears in the regulator. When they disintegrate, the pieces manage to get everywhere inside the casing and even one little piece can gum of the works and stop the motor/gear from turning.

So yes, pulling the door panel is the only way to really figure it out.

For sure mechanical problems are a common issue, not disagreeing with you either. It just doesn't sound like the issue to me in this particular case.

I've had to swap two of the motor/regulator assemblies in my daily driver in the last month or so, as well as sorting out an issue with a window being off track (pretty sure it had been that way for many years, well before I bought the car).

 

[Broosedamoose]

My gut instinct is to be suspicious of the new switch assembly. Have you probed the connector to the window motor to see what happens when you press the button each direction?

I have it in the shop today for other reasons but he is going to take a look at it. He thinks it is either the switch or the Auto-Down relay has failed. Most likely the switch though.

 

[RonD]

Power window systems are fairly easy to troubleshot, if you know the basics of how they work

12vDC motor is reversible, has 2 wires, one is 12v the other a ground motor turns clockwise, reverse it so one wire is ground and the other 12v and motor turns counter clock wise, window up/window down

Everything is Grounded when power windows are not in use
There is only ONE GROUND WIRE for all the windows, it is on drivers door master switch, ground is behind driver side kick panel

The switches ground BOTH motor wires when not in use, buttons not pressed
Test for that by unplugging the motor's 2 wire connector
If one wire is not grounded then switch is bad
So window can only work in one direction

When you press a button that contact is disconnected from Ground and connected to 12v, motor turns, because other wire is still a ground

Passenger side window switch is Grounded by 2 wires from master switch, 1 wire for each passenger side motor wire
When you press a button on master the same thing happens, one wire is unGrounded and connected to 12v so motor turns using the 12v from master switch
Passenger side switch has its own 12v wire, not from master but from the same relay, so it can work on its own, but its grounded at master

That's the basics
Test for one 12v wire at each switch, power is OK
Test grounds at motor, both wires grounded, switches OK.....most likely
You can test the 2 motor wires for 12v or -12v when you press its 2 buttons, ground and 12v, switch is OK for sure

Yes the one touch down or up can be the problem. if wiring tests as OK
In 1995-2003 thats in the GEM, but external relay
In 2004-2011 its in the SJB, I think its all internal relays so not serviceable

Switches in door panels are really the only parts that can "wear out" so most likely to be the problem
And of couse a 12vDC motor can fail, but not just for one direction

And as said a window can get jammed at the top or bottom, so motor doesn't have enough torque to move it, each motor has a Thermal Limiter inside it, Limiter will "open" if too many amps are pulled thru it, so motor has limited torque, it can't break the window, lol
Open door panel see if you can assist the unworking direction of travel

 

[rumblecloud]

@RonD You always put the cherry on top.

 

[Broosedamoose]

Turned out to be the switch. Another case of "Just because it's a new part doesn't mean it's a good part." He was able to fix it though! He is such a great mechanic! Now I have to go post in the 4.0 forum because I have ratting!