Intermittent Power Windows
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Intermittent Power Windows
I have a 92 E-250. I live in Chicago, and it is hot in the summer.
The work van is old and the AC doesn't work.
My power windows have been working intermittently which is a terrible thing.
In my fuse block under the steering column there is a small relay for the windows. I know the relay is good, because I have an old cell phone mounted on that circuit, and when I pull the relay and plug it back in, I hear the cell phone power up everytime, while the windows just work every once in a while.
It is NOT an intermittent problem with a window motor, because BOTH windows act the same all the time.
Don't work, don't work, don't work, don't work ...... and then I can finally put the window up or down, and then back to don't work, don't work, etc.
It has been in the 90's, and this is killing me. Any ideas are more than welcomed !!!
Thanks in advance
Jim
The work van is old and the AC doesn't work.
My power windows have been working intermittently which is a terrible thing.
In my fuse block under the steering column there is a small relay for the windows. I know the relay is good, because I have an old cell phone mounted on that circuit, and when I pull the relay and plug it back in, I hear the cell phone power up everytime, while the windows just work every once in a while.
It is NOT an intermittent problem with a window motor, because BOTH windows act the same all the time.
Don't work, don't work, don't work, don't work ...... and then I can finally put the window up or down, and then back to don't work, don't work, etc.
It has been in the 90's, and this is killing me. Any ideas are more than welcomed !!!
Thanks in advance
Jim
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Toledo, Ohio
Maybe get a new-used door switch assembly from a junk yard? Pull switch from door and wiggle wires/ connections while trying to operate window? Hopefully yesterday you have had the cooler weather that we got today? Good luck, Johnny
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Originally Posted by kynnhoj
Maybe get a new-used door switch assembly from a junk yard? Pull switch from door and wiggle wires/ connections while trying to operate window? Hopefully yesterday you have had the cooler weather that we got today? Good luck, Johnny
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I wrote a long message and then Firefox locked up and so its going to be short.
There should be one power feed to the switch module in the driver's door so it could be the module. Once you have identified the power wire, when the window motors aren't working, check power on that wire. If it's off, that same wire (locate by color coding) will be coming out of the back of the fuse block. You will likely have to remove the fuse block so you can see it. Check power there. If nothing there then check the fuse connectors. Since you say you run your phone off of that circuit, did you cut into the line somewhere to add that? I do a lot of eletrical work on automobiles for others and usually when I hear something like what you've said, I find that their connection is bad and has caused the problem. This really should be easy to diagnose if you know how to use a voltmeter. The hard part is getting to the back of the fuseblock.
There should be one power feed to the switch module in the driver's door so it could be the module. Once you have identified the power wire, when the window motors aren't working, check power on that wire. If it's off, that same wire (locate by color coding) will be coming out of the back of the fuse block. You will likely have to remove the fuse block so you can see it. Check power there. If nothing there then check the fuse connectors. Since you say you run your phone off of that circuit, did you cut into the line somewhere to add that? I do a lot of eletrical work on automobiles for others and usually when I hear something like what you've said, I find that their connection is bad and has caused the problem. This really should be easy to diagnose if you know how to use a voltmeter. The hard part is getting to the back of the fuseblock.
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Oh, and I'll check back, but be detailed as to what you do or have done since I can't stick my own probes in there to check. It's a lot harder from my end. Even when someone tells me what they've done, when I work on it, I check it myself because even seasoned pros make a mistake.
I had an industrial electrician tell me that the 3 fuses in the 480v 3 phase line were all good as he had checked them. However he had checked them in-circuit and as an electronic tech that works with a lot of electricians, I know that electricians do that a lot, but it's not the right way. Anyway, as you can guess, there was a blown fuse and I found it within 15 secs. That's why knowing the extreme details can help me help you.
I looked in my 2000 E-150 Haynes book as it covers 92, but window motor schematics are not in it, unfortunately.
I had an industrial electrician tell me that the 3 fuses in the 480v 3 phase line were all good as he had checked them. However he had checked them in-circuit and as an electronic tech that works with a lot of electricians, I know that electricians do that a lot, but it's not the right way. Anyway, as you can guess, there was a blown fuse and I found it within 15 secs. That's why knowing the extreme details can help me help you.
I looked in my 2000 E-150 Haynes book as it covers 92, but window motor schematics are not in it, unfortunately.
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Oh, you might find better help with someone that has worked on that particular year at https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum62/
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I have been a mechanic by trade for 25 years, and what you say is exactly what the problem sounds like!
There is no doubt in my mind that the main wire you are talking about is messed up at the back of the fuse block. If it turns out to be a bitch to remove the block, I'll figure something else out.
Thanks for the reply, and look for an update on my end!
Jim
There is no doubt in my mind that the main wire you are talking about is messed up at the back of the fuse block. If it turns out to be a bitch to remove the block, I'll figure something else out.
Thanks for the reply, and look for an update on my end!
Jim
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Originally Posted by 2000Ford2000
I've ran new power wires to things like that when I couldn't fix, or didn't want to fix the real problem. Sometimes that's just a lot easier.
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Use a chainsaw to cut a hole in the dash & install a bank of common household light switches on a chunk of plywood to eliminate the original switches, then run new wires to each door across the top of the dash using cable ties, to control the window lift motors directly from the battery.
Piece of cake, any electrical contractor can do in 5 minutes blindfolded. Why haven't you finished yet?
Relax! Just ribbing you & reminding you not to turn this into a "nightmare", "mountain" or a job that's "over your head". Don't you feel like an "idiot" when you can't open your windows?
Originally Posted by Jim Kachel
That's exactly what I was thinking.
Relax! Just ribbing you & reminding you not to turn this into a "nightmare", "mountain" or a job that's "over your head". Don't you feel like an "idiot" when you can't open your windows?
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The repaired has been completed. Easy and quick!
One new power wire and the 92 is back in business.
Thanks Johnny
and
Thanks 2000Ford2000
How's your brake line repair going Club Wagon?
Got any pictures yet?
One new power wire and the 92 is back in business.
Thanks Johnny
and
Thanks 2000Ford2000
How's your brake line repair going Club Wagon?
Got any pictures yet?
Last edited by Jim Kachel; Jul 12, 2007 at 02:49 PM.
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Beginning to sound like you've been having a "nightmare" running what some might consider an "old junky van" with failed brakes, windows you can't open or close & no heat, defog or A/C.
Good luck solving your "blower motor" problem. Search for the recent thread on that topic.
Originally Posted by Jim Kachel
I gotta do my blower motor too on my 92 