2004 Explorer Phantom Power Window Problem
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2004 Explorer Phantom Power Window Problem
Hello!
Long time reader and first time posting. Usually I find a post that covers my issues, but I've ran into something that i can't explain. I bought a 2004 Explorer a couple of years ago and at the time some ot the windows only work some of the time. Then the drivers side fron and rear passenger window stopped working. Now all but the front passenger side stopped working. I've changed the master switch and no change. I know that it is probably a broken wire between the drivers side door and cab but can't understand how the front passenger side would still work if that was the case.
Any explanations? If it wasn't grounded or if a wire was broken wouldn't all of the windows stop working? I'm confused...
Also the rear passenger power door lock has all of a sudden stopped.....
Any ideas?
Long time reader and first time posting. Usually I find a post that covers my issues, but I've ran into something that i can't explain. I bought a 2004 Explorer a couple of years ago and at the time some ot the windows only work some of the time. Then the drivers side fron and rear passenger window stopped working. Now all but the front passenger side stopped working. I've changed the master switch and no change. I know that it is probably a broken wire between the drivers side door and cab but can't understand how the front passenger side would still work if that was the case.
Any explanations? If it wasn't grounded or if a wire was broken wouldn't all of the windows stop working? I'm confused...
Also the rear passenger power door lock has all of a sudden stopped.....
Any ideas?
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Nope, but maybe the lock issue is a seperate from the window. I will have to test that. As for now, I keep looking at wires trying to find the broken one. Thanks for the input. Someone out there has to know what is causing the windows to fail.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Do any of the power windows work from the individual door switches, just not from the driver's door master switch? Are you comfortable with a test light or multimeter? Removing the door panels on the 2004 are one of the easiest door panels to remove that I've encountered yet. Just a couple of screws, then lift them up while gently pulling them away from the vehicle. The don't use the plastic snaps that require a lot of tugging and usually break.
-Rod
-Rod
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None of the windows except the front passenger will work no matter what switch is used. Last night the rear drivers side came back on but I know it will fail again shortly. I can check whatever needs to be checked.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
I should have also asked if you confirmed the window lock switch was not toggled when testing the switches on the other doors. Assuming the window lock switch has no effect, then you're probably back to checking for power to and from the master window switch. If wiring diagrams of the power window circuit would help, send me a Private Message with the request and an e-mail address for you and I will e-mail you a PDF of the diagram.
-Rod
-Rod
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Thanks Rod. I will take a mechanical issue any day over an electrical issue. I was hoping that someone has had this exact problem. I saw alot of post about the ground wire and other wires being broken but it seems I am the only one that all of the windows didn't fail at once. To me it doesn't make sense how just the front passenger never failed while the other windows did. At the least, I was hoping someone could explain what wire could cause this as I would have thought that a ground wire not making connection would have caused all windows to fail... hence the "phantom electrical." I'll keep at it. Maybe call some of my more mechanically inclined buddies as this seems to be going over my weekend mechanic abilities. This is why I have a basic STX truck, so at least I shouldn't have to worry about this again. 
Can't wait to get this fixed and go back to adding to the truck!
Can't wait to get this fixed and go back to adding to the truck!
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This doesnt sound totally weird. There are electrical issues where unrelated items go on and off....some kind of chassis ground issue I believe.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
I've had speaker wires fail in the accordion boot and a feed wire for a single window go out. I personally have not experienced the ground wire fail, so I'd say it's totally possible for wires other than the ground to be the source. But checking for power in and out of the master switch will help you plan your next method to attack the issue.
-Rod
-Rod
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Well this evening I will take it back apart again if it is not raining. No matter what I will take pictures and document as best as I can so the next guy who has this issue can find a solution with pictures. I found a wire yesterday and fixed it with a butte connector as that was all I had laying around. It was a pink wire with a line and was only being held together by a few threads. (I don't remember what the color of the line was but the wire was thicker than the others) I noticed a smaller purple wire had a gash in it but wasn't completely apart yet and I didn't have any more connectors to repair it. Not sure what these wires went to but I didn't notice any difference once the repair was complete.
Today I will take the door panel completely off rather than just moving the boot to the side and give a closer look. Hopefully I missed something obvious yesterday.
Today I will take the door panel completely off rather than just moving the boot to the side and give a closer look. Hopefully I missed something obvious yesterday.
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Ok. More confusion. I'm getting power. There are no broken wires that I can tell and I spliced into the ground wire and grounded to the battery with the same result. The front passenger window works and the back driver side is off and on. Any more suggestions guys? I'm not sure where to go next with this.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
So if everything to and from the switch in the driver's door is good, you need to take one of the other door panels off and see if you are getting voltage to the motor. If not, then there is an issue between the switch in the driver's door and the power window motor in the other door(s).
-Rod
-Rod
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I have the same problem. The driver switch always works on the driver window, but the passenger side windows stop working. The passenger switch will allow the down direction but not the up. Usually after a while, the driver switch will start working again. Typically after the truck having been turned off for a while. Any determinations you have made?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2013
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From: South Mississippi
Do you hear any sound coming from any of the doors when the up switch is pressed in some cases the down. A word of caution if the windows are inhibited from moving mechanically the motor will make no attempt to run just a very low thump. You have to listen very closely but if you can hear any sound from the door (have someone else listen) at all I can tell you how to fix the problem I'm rushed for time at the moment.