Window swith issue

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Mar 30, 2026 | 07:27 AM

03 Ex Oil Burner

Thread Starter

5th Wheeling

Joined: Oct 2024

Posts: 28

Likes: 2

From: Palmyra, PA

Window swith issue

On the way home last night, passenger rear window would not go up, only down. Got home, pulled door panel and regulator to get window as it was late and rain in the forecast. Not much time to trouble shoot. With regulator out and plugged in, it would move in only one direction using passenger rear door switch. Would not move at all using driver's door switch. Where do I start with this fun little electrical gremlin? When I originally bought it, we had the radio-window-dash board panel issues so I re-soldered all those connections and haven't had any problems since. The radio was still operational when this popped up and all other windows work. Do I start with driver's door switch or rear door switch?

Mar 30, 2026 | 09:19 AM

Don Ridley

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jan 2023

Posts: 1,338

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The master switch in the driver's door may be the problem. With no stitches pressed, the window motor has GND on both terminals. Pressing a switch puts 12v to one terminal and pressing the switch in the other direction (up/down) puts 12v on the other terminal to reverse direction.

Use the wiring diagram to probe the master switch wires and see if 12v is sent to the rear switch.

Here is wiring for a 2002 (you didn't identify the year). Other years should be the same.
https://charm.li/Ford/2002/Excursion...grams/Windows/

Apr 8, 2026 | 07:05 AM

03 Ex Oil Burner

Thread Starter

5th Wheeling

Joined: Oct 2024

Posts: 28

Likes: 2

From: Palmyra, PA

Thanks for the wiring diagram Don. The good news is it helped me locate the issue. I checked continuity of the wires from the drivers door to the rear passenger door. The bad news is that the YEL/BLK wire is broken.....somewhere.....

Apr 8, 2026 | 08:32 AM

skrzn

4th Gear

Joined: Apr 2026

Posts: 4

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It's a common issue. I've just intercepted the wire in the drivers door and ran a new one under the carpet and into the pass side rear door (that's where my issue is) until I get around to finding the break. Works a treat.

Apr 8, 2026 | 08:43 AM

Don Ridley

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jan 2023

Posts: 1,338

Likes: 455

Thanks for the update.
My guess is the boot between the door and body.

Apr 8, 2026 | 08:47 AM

03 Ex Oil Burner

Thread Starter

5th Wheeling

Joined: Oct 2024

Posts: 28

Likes: 2

From: Palmyra, PA

My assumption (we know what happens when we assume) is that the break is in the boot inside the drivers door since that section has been flexed the most in the last 23 years. I am going to try to cut that section out and install new. With that boot in the door and the wrapping, its impossible to actually examine those wires.

Does anyone have pics or diagrams of the full wire routing in case I end up replacing the whole length door to door?

Apr 8, 2026 | 09:04 AM

Don Ridley

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jan 2023

Posts: 1,338

Likes: 455

I would only replace the bad wire. Splice a new wire inside the truck and fish it through. Wrap it with good electrical tape or Tesa tape. It will last the remaining life of the truck.