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

Driver Window Switch B+

1

1

--

--

Driver Door Module B+

1

1

--

--

Passenger Window Switch Up Signal

B3170

2

2

--

Passenger Window Switch Down Signal

B3175

2

2

--

Passenger Window Switch Express Down Signal

B3280

2

2

--

Driver Door Module Ground

--

B1420

1

--

Driver Window Switch Ground

--

1

1

--

Passenger Door Module Ground

--

B1420

2

--

Passenger Window Switch Ground

--

2

2

--

1. Driver Window Malfunction

2. Passenger Window Malfunction

Circuit/System Description

The vehicle is equipped with power windows controlled by door modules. The passenger door window can be operated either the driver master control built into the driver window switch or from the power window switch.

When the driver door module (DDM) receives a driver window switch request from the driver window switch, the DDM examines the request and checks for messages from other vehicle control modules prohibiting the window movement. If no prohibitive messages have been received, the DDM will apply power and ground to the driver door window motor to move the window as requested.

When the passenger door module (PDM) receives a window switch request from either the driver window switch or the passenger window switch, the PDM will examine the request and check for messages from other vehicle control modules prohibiting the window movement. If no prohibitive messages have been received, the door module will apply power and ground to its associated window motor to move the window as requested.

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

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Ignition ON, command the driver window UP and DOWN using the driver window switch. The driver window should perform the UP and DOWN functions.
  2. If the driver power window does not perform the UP or DOWN function, refer to Driver Window Motor Malfunction.
  3. Command the passenger window UP and DOWN using the RF window switch on the driver master control and the passenger door window switch. The passenger window should perform the UP and DOWN functions from each switch.
  4. If the passenger power window does not perform the UP or DOWN function, refer to Passenger Window Motor Malfunction.
  5. Command each window to EXPRESS DOWN by pressing each window switch past the first detent and releasing. Each window should perform the EXPRESS DOWN function.
  6. If a window fails to perform the EXPRESS DOWN command, refer to Power Window Reinitialization.

Circuit/System Testing

Driver Window Motor Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the driver window switch.
  2. Test for less than 1 ohm between the ground circuit terminal 8 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 B+ circuit terminal 9 and ground.
  5. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the B+ circuit fuse is open, replace the driver window switch.
  6. Ignition OFF, connect the harness connector at the driver window switch.
  7. Ignition ON, observe the scan tool Driver LF Window Switch parameters while using the driver window switch. The parameters should change from Idle to Up, Express Up, Down, Express Down.
  8. If the values do not change, replace the driver window switch.
  9. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the DDM.
  10. Test for less than 1 ohm between the ground circuit terminal 10 and ground.
  11. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  12. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 20 and ground.
  13. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  14. If all circuits test normal, replace the DDM.

Passenger Window Motor Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the passenger window switch.
  2. Test for less than 1 ohm between the ground circuit terminal 4 and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Connect the harness connector at the passenger window switch and disconnect the harness connector at the PDM.
  5. Test for less than 1 ohm between the ground circuit terminal 10 and ground.
  6. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  7. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 20 and ground.
  8. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  9. Test for infinite resistance between the signal circuit terminal listed below and ground.
  10. • Signal circuit terminal 7
    • Signal circuit terminal 8
    • Signal circuit terminal 16
    If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the passenger window switch.
  11. Test for less than 2 ohms between the signal circuit terminal 7 and ground while holding the window switch in the UP position.
  12. If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the passenger window switch.
  13. Test for less than 2 ohms between the signal circuit terminal 8 and ground while holding the window switch in the DOWN position.
  14. If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the passenger window switch.
  15. Test for less than 2 ohms between the signal circuit terminal 16 and ground while holding the window switch in the EXPRESS UP position.
  16. If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the passenger window switch.
  17. If all circuits test normal, replace the PDM.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Front Side Door Window Switch Replacement - Left Side
    •  Front Side Door Window Switch Replacement - Right Side
    •  Control Module References for DDM or PDM replacement, setup, and programming