power locks
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
power locks
so im in the process of installing power locks and windows in my 81 f150. all the wiring is there but there appears to be some problems. the passenger side door lock wont work and i dont have any power at the plug or a ground. but i dont have a switch plugged in on the drivers side. my question is will the passenger side lock still work without a switch installed on the drivers side? same deal with the window motor. this time i have power and ground but still not working. does the drivers side switch need to be plugged in for the passenger side to work? and does any one have a wiring diagram of the system and how the switches work? and even where the circuit breakers plug in on the fuse block? thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
I'm not 100% sure on these trucks but all the power windows I've worked on feed the pass switch through the drivers side switch, Its possible for the drivers switch to cause the pass window not to work.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
thats what im thinking as i found power at more than one terminal on the drivers side. Im in the process of figuring out which wires do what and how the whole system works. Because i dont plan to use the original switches. It seems like it should be really simple
Edit: for the windows the power is fed directly to the pass side as well as the drivers side. its the locks that i assume are fed at the drives side
Edit: for the windows the power is fed directly to the pass side as well as the drivers side. its the locks that i assume are fed at the drives side
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,950
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
I just got through wiring power windows, locks and mirrors on a truck that didn't have them. The locks are sort of confusing, you had better get a diagram. Power feeds both lock switches, but both lock actuator motors are fed by the passenger side, and the whole system uses a ground that is developed through the driver's side switch.
So you will find a power wire and a lock wire and the unlock wire running from the driver's side to the pass side switch, but you will also find two wires running back from the pass side switch, that actually feed the driver's side door lock actuator. And if the driver's side switch is not grounded, the whole thing is not going to work.
So you will find a power wire and a lock wire and the unlock wire running from the driver's side to the pass side switch, but you will also find two wires running back from the pass side switch, that actually feed the driver's side door lock actuator. And if the driver's side switch is not grounded, the whole thing is not going to work.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
ah i see! right now my switch is hanging in space. how does the switch ground? it appears the hole casing is plastic. also while metering out the passenger side i found no power, i didnt meter the drivers side tho. is there anyone out there with a schematic diagram for the system? Im thinking i may just rewire the locks as i dont plan to use the factory switches and i've noticed other vehicles in the yard are done with fewer wires
And btw i got the windows working. it appears that the system grounds at the drivers side so the the drivers side switch needs to be in place for the pass side to work
And btw i got the windows working. it appears that the system grounds at the drivers side so the the drivers side switch needs to be in place for the pass side to work
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
I have never seen a window switch that needs to be mounted to work did you mean that it grounds through the wiring in the ds switch? (I've been wrong before though) sounds like you have an intermittent problem. I have repaired a LOT of wires in the drivers side where they flex when you open and close the door. I'd look there first
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,950
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
Here's a later model schematic, but I believe they are the same as the older models.
AutoZone.com Repair Guide Image
AutoZone.com Repair Guide Image
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
im having a hard time understanding that diagram. i understand how the left switch works the circuit. but it seems when you hit the right side switch is would just cause a short. it would make sence if maybe the leads were flipped in the diagram. Maybe a istake or maybe someone here can explain it
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,950
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
Both switches do the same thing, they are hooked in parallel.
Trace the lock motor wires back to each switch.
Both wires of each lock motor are normally grounded through the left switch when nothing is activated.
Activate either switch, and it puts the center hot wire on one of the motor leads, and leaves the other one on ground.
Activate either switch the opposite way, and it leaves the opposite motor lead grounded and puts the hot wire on the other lead.
Trace the lock motor wires back to each switch.
Both wires of each lock motor are normally grounded through the left switch when nothing is activated.
Activate either switch, and it puts the center hot wire on one of the motor leads, and leaves the other one on ground.
Activate either switch the opposite way, and it leaves the opposite motor lead grounded and puts the hot wire on the other lead.
