GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Window Relay B+

3

3

--

--

Window Relay Ignition

3

3

--

--

Window Switch Control

3

3

--

--

Passenger Window Switch Down Control

1

1

3

--

Passenger Window Switch Up Control

1

1

3

--

Passenger Window Switch Lockout Control

2

2

--

--

Passenger Window Motor Control

4

4

4

--

Passenger Window Switch Ground

--

3

3

--

Window Relay Ground

--

3

3

--

1. Driver Side Window Switch Malfunction

2. Passenger Side Window Switch Malfunction

3. Passenger and Driver Side Window Switch Malfunction

4. Passenger Window Motor Malfunction

Circuit/System Description

The power window system will operate anytime the ignition is in the ACCY or ON position. Both the driver and passenger power window switches control the up and down functions of the passenger window. The driver power window switch also contains a lockout switch, the passenger window switch may be disabled by pressing the lockout switch, however the passenger window will operate normally from the driver window switch.

The power window system is supplied voltage through the WINDOW relay. The supply side of the relay is connected to circuit breaker 8 and controlled through the B+ voltage circuit. The relay coil is connected to a constant ground source and is connected to circuit breaker 6 and controlled through the ignition circuit. When the ignition is placed in the ON position the relay is energized and voltage is available for both power window switches.

The up and down switches in the driver window switch provides a command to the passenger window switch when activated through the passenger window up and down control circuits. The passenger power window up and down switches are connected in parallel to these signal circuits internally in the passenger window switch. When any of the switches are actuated, the passenger window switch will supply voltage to the passenger window motor through the control up or down circuit and ground the opposite side.

Diagnostic Aids

The passenger window motor contains an integrated circuit breaker which will open after 30 seconds of continuous voltage.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Moveable Window Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Power Windows Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Circuit/System Verification

Ignition ON, command the passenger door window UP and DOWN by using the driver and passenger window switches. The passenger window should perform the UP and DOWN function from each switch.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the WINDOW relay
  2. Test for less than 1 ohm between the relay coil ground circuit terminal and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the relay coil ignition circuit terminal and ground.
  5. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ignition circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  6. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the relay switch B+ circuit terminal and ground.
  7. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  8. Ignition OFF, connect the WINDOW relay, disconnect the harness connector at the driver window switch.
  9. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the control circuit terminal 5 and ground.
  10. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the WINDOW relay.
  11. Ignition OFF, connect the harness connector at the driver window switch and disconnect the X2 harness connector at the passenger window switch.
  12. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 11 and ground.
  13. Ignition ON, command the passenger window UP by using the driver window switch, the test lamp should illuminate during the UP command.
  14. If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the driver window switch.
    If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the driver window switch.
  15. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 12 and ground.
  16. Command the passenger window DOWN by using the driver window switch, the test lamp should illuminate during the DOWN command.
  17. If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the driver window switch.
    If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the driver window switch.
  18. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 13 and ground.
  19. Enable and disable the passenger window switch by pressing the window lockout switch on the driver window switch. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF with each press of the lockout switch.
  20. If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the driver window switch.
    If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the driver window switch.
  21. Ignition OFF, connect the X2 harness connector and disconnect the X1 harness connector at the passenger window switch.
  22. Test for less than 1 ohm between the ground circuit terminal 6 and ground.
  23. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance
  24. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the control circuit terminal 5 and ground.
  25. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  26. Ignition OFF, connect the X1 harness connector at the passenger window switch and disconnect the harness connector at the passenger window motor.
  27. Verify that the passenger window switch is enabled by pressing the lockout switch on the driver window switch.
  28. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal A and control circuit terminal B.
  29. Ignition ON, command the passenger window UP and DOWN by using the passenger window switch. The test lamp should illuminate when commanding the UP and DOWN states.
  30. If the test lamp remains OFF during either of the commands, test either control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuits test normal, replace the passenger window switch
    If the test lamp is always ON, test either control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the passenger window switch.
  31. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the passenger window motor

Component Testing

Driver Window Switch

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the driver window switch.
  2. Test for infinite resistance between the control terminal 3 and 4 and the control terminal 5 with the switch in the INACTIVE position.
  3. If less than the specified value, replace the driver window switch.
  4. Test for less than 2 ohms between the control terminal 3 and the control terminal 5 with the switch in the UP position.
  5. If greater than the specified range, replace the driver window switch.
  6. Test for less than 2 ohms between the control terminal 4 and the control terminal 5 with the switch in the DOWN position.
  7. If greater than the specified range, replace the driver window switch.
  8. Test for less than 2 ohms between the control terminal 6 and the control terminal 5 with the LOCK button activated.
  9. If greater then the specified range, replace the driver window switch.

Passenger Window Motor

    Important: When performing the following tests, make sure that the device is not all ready in the position the test is attempting to produce.

  1. Disconnect the harness connector at the passenger window motor.
  2. Install a 20A fused jumper wire between the control terminal A and 12V. Momentarily install a jumper wire between the other control terminal B and ground. The passenger window motor should either perform the DOWN or UP function.
  3. If the function does not perform as specified, replace the passenger window motor.
  4. Reverse the jumper wires, the passenger window motor should perform the UP or DOWN function.
  5. If the function does not perform as specified, replace the passenger window motor.

Relay

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the WINDOW relay.
  2. Test for less than 2 ohms between terminals 85 and 86.
  3. If not within the specified range, replace the relay.
  4. Test for infinite resistance between the following terminals:
  5. • 30 and 86
    • 30 and 87
    • 30 and 85
    • 85 and 87
    If not the specified value, replace the relay.
  6. Install a 15A fused jumper wire between terminal 85 and 12V. Install a jumper wire between terminal 86 and ground. Test for less than 2 ohms between terminals 30 and 87.
  7. If greater than the specified range, replace the relay.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Front Side Door Window Switch Replacement
    •  Relay Replacement