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 the diagnostic category.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Driver/Front Passenger Window Switch Voltage Supply

1, 2

1, 2

--

--

Rear Window Lockout Switch Control

2

2

--

--

Rear Window Switch Control

2

2

2

--

Front Window Motor Control

1

1

1

--

Rear Window Motor Control

2

2

2

--

Driver/Front Passenger Window Switch Ground

--

1, 2

1, 2

--

1. Front Power Window Inoperative

2. Rear Power Window Inoperative

Circuit/System Description

The power window system will operate any time the ignition is the ACC or RUN position. The power window system will also operate whenever the body control module (BCM) is in RAP mode. The master power window switch contains individual window switches for each power window. All windows may be controlled up and down from the master power window switch. The individual rear passenger power window switches will only control the up and down operation of their respective power window.

Each power window contains a reversible power window motor. The direction the window travels is dependent upon the polarity of the supply voltage. By reversing polarity of the supply voltage the window motor will move up or down. Each power window motor is internally circuit breaker protected.

The drivers window switch has an express-down feature that is labeled AUTO. This allows the driver's window to open fully without having to continuously press the switch. Press the switch to the second position and the driver's window will go all the way down. To stop the window from lowering, lift the switch all the way up and release it.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Moveable Window Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Window Systems Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Power Windows Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

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

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Ignition ON, command the appropriate door window UP and DOWN by pressing the appropriate Window switch. Observe the operation of the appropriate door windows.
  2. If all power windows are inoperative, refer to All Power Windows Inoperative.
    If a front power window is inoperative, refer to Front Power Window Inoperative.
    If a rear passenger power window is inoperative Rear Power Window Inoperative.
    If both rear door windows are inoperative, refer to Rear Window Lockout Switch Malfunction.
  3. Ignition ON, command the express down function door window by pressing Auto on the Driver Window switch past the first detent and releasing. The drivers window should roll completely down.
  4. If the drivers window fails to roll completely down, replace the Driver Window Switch.

Circuit/System Testing

Rear Window Lockout Switch Malfunction

  1. Ignition ON, activate the lockout parameter by pressing the Rear Window Lockout Switch on the Driver Window Switch. Command each of the rear passenger windows UP and DOWN using the appropriate rear door passenger window switches. Both rear door passenger window switches should be inoperative.
  2. If both rear passenger windows continue to function, test or replace the Driver Window Switch.
  3. Ignition ON, deactivate the lockout parameter my pressing the Rear Window Lockout Switch on the Driver Window Switch. Command each of the rear passenger windows UP and DOWN using the appropriate rear door passenger window switches. Both rear door passenger windows should function UP and DOWN as commanded.
  4. If both rear windows are inoperative, test or replace the Driver Window Switch.

All Power Windows Inoperative

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the B+ harness connector at the appropriate front Window Switch.
  2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal D and ground.
  3. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for an open/high resistance. If the PWR WDW circuit breaker is open, check the B+ circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the Underhood Fuse Block.
  4. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the appropriate front Window Switch.

Front Power Window Inoperative

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the appropriate front Window Switch.
  2. Test for less than 1 ohm of resistance between the ground circuit terminal and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Reconnect the appropriate front window switch.
  5. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the appropriate front Window Motor.
  6. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1 ohm of resistance between the control circuit terminal A and ground.
  7. If greater than the specified range, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If circuits test normal, test or replace the appropriate front Window Switch.
  8. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1 ohm of resistance between the control circuit terminal B and ground.
  9. If greater than the specified range, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If circuits test normal, test or replace the appropriate front Window Switch.
  10. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 3 and ground.
  11. If the test lamp does not illuminate and the Lockout Switch is CLOSED, test the B+ circuit for an open/high resistance.
  12. Ignition OFF, connect a test lamp between control circuit terminal A and control circuit terminal B.
  13. Ignition ON, command the appropriate front window UP and DOWN by pressing the window control on the appropriate front Window Switch. The test lamp should turn ON when commanding the UP and DOWN states.
  14. If the test lamp is always OFF during either of the commands, test for a short to ground on either of the control circuits, if the circuit tests normal, test or replace the appropriate front Window switch.
  15. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the appropriate front Window Motor.

Rear Power Window Inoperative

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the appropriate rear passenger Window Switch.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1 ohm of resistance between the control circuit terminal 4 and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the appropriate front Window Switch.
  4. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1 ohm of resistance between the control circuit terminal 1 and ground.
  5. If greater than the specified range, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the appropriate front Window Switch.
  6. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 3 and ground.
  7. If the test lamp does not illuminate and the Rear Window Lockout Switch is CLOSED, test the B+ circuit for an open/high resistance.
  8. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 4 and control circuit terminal 1.
  9. Ignition ON, command the appropriate rear passenger window UP and DOWN by pressing the appropriate window control on the appropriate front Window Switch. The test lamp should illuminate during either of the commands.
  10. If the test lamp is always OFF, test for a short to ground on either control circuit. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the appropriate front Window Switch.
  11. Ignition OFF, reconnect the appropriate rear passenger Window Switch.
  12. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the appropriate rear passenger Window Motor.
  13. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1 ohm of resistance between the control circuit terminal A and ground.
  14. If greater than the specified range, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the appropriate rear passenger Window Switch.
  15. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1 ohm of resistance between the control circuit terminal B and ground.
  16. If greater than the specified range, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the appropriate rear passenger Window Switch
  17. Connect a test lamp between control circuit terminal A and control circuit terminal B.
  18. Ignition ON, command the appropriate rear passenger window UP and DOWN by pressing the appropriate rear passenger Window Switch. The test lamp should turn ON when commanding the UP and DOWN states.
  19. If the test lamp remains OFF during either of the commands, test for a short to ground on either control circuit. If the circuits test normal, test or replace the appropriate rear passenger Window Switch.
  20. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the appropriate rear passenger Window Motor.

Component Testing

Front Driver Window Switch

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the Front Driver Window switch.
  2. Test for infinite resistance between the signal terminals G and E and the B+ circuit terminal D with the Left Rear Switch in the INACTIVE position.
  3. If less than infinite resistance, replace the Front Driver Window switch.
  4. Test for less than 2 ohms of resistance between the signal terminal G and the B+ circuit terminal D with the switch in the UP position.
  5. If greater than 2 ohms, replace the Front Driver Window switch.
  6. Test for less than 2 ohms of resistance between the signal terminal E and the B+ circuit terminal D with the switch in the DOWN position.
  7. If greater than 2 ohms, replace the Front Driver Window switch.
  8. Test for infinite resistance between the signal terminals B and C and the B+ circuit terminal D with the Left Front Switch in the INACTIVE position.
  9. If less than infinite resistance, replace the Front Driver Window switch.
  10. Test for less than 2 ohms of resistance between the signal terminal B and the B+ circuit terminal D with the switch in the UP position.
  11. If greater than 2 ohms, replace the Front Driver Window switch.
  12. Test for less than 2 ohms of resistance between the signal terminal C and the B+ circuit terminal D with the switch in the DOWN position.
  13. If greater than 2 ohms, replace the Front Driver Window switch

Front Passenger Window Switch

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the Front Passenger Window switch.
  2. Test for infinite resistance between the signal terminals F and H and the B+ circuit terminal D with the Right Rear Switch in the INACTIVE position.
  3. If less than infinite resistance, replace the Front Passenger Window switch.
  4. Test for less than 2 ohms of resistance between the signal terminal F and the B+ circuit terminal D with the switch in the UP position.
  5. If greater than 2 ohms, replace the Front Passenger Window switch.
  6. Test for less than 2 ohms of resistance between the signal terminal H and the B+ circuit terminal D with the switch in the DOWN position.
  7. If greater than 2 ohms, replace the Front Passenger Window switch.
  8. Test for infinite resistance between the signal terminals B and C and the B+ circuit terminal D with the Right Front Switch in the INACTIVE position.
  9. If less than infinite resistance, replace the Front Passenger Window switch.
  10. Test for less than 2 ohms of resistance between the signal terminal B and the B+ circuit terminal D with the switch in the UP position.
  11. If greater than 2 ohms, replace the Front Passenger Window switch.
  12. Test for less than 2 ohms of resistance between the signal terminal C and the B+ circuit terminal D with the switch in the DOWN position.
  13. If greater than 2 ohms, replace the Front Passenger Window switch.

Rear Window Switch

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the appropriate rear Window switch.
  2. Test for infinite resistance between the signal terminals 5 and 2 and the B+ circuit terminal 3 with the switch in the INACTIVE position.
  3. If less than infinite resistance, replace the appropriate rear Window switch.
  4. Test for less than 2 ohms of resistance between the signal terminal 5 and the B+ circuit terminal 3 with the switch in the UP position.
  5. If greater than 2 ohms, replace the appropriate rear Window switch.
  6. Test for less than 2 ohms of resistance between the signal terminal 2 and the B+ circuit terminal 3 with the switch in the DOWN position.
  7. If greater than 2 ohms, replace the appropriate rear Window switch.

Window Motor

  1. Install a 30 amp fused jumper wire between the control terminal A and 12 volts. Momentarily install a jumper wire between the control terminal B and ground. The appropriate Window Motor should perform the UP or DOWN function.
  2. If the function does not perform as specified, replace the appropriate Window Motor.
  3. Reverse the jumper wires; the appropriate Window Motor should perform the DOWN or UP function.
  4. If the function does not perform as specified, replace the appropriate Window Motor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement
    •  Front Side Door Window Switch Replacement
    •  Front Side Door Window Regulator Replacement
    •  Rear Side Door Window Regulator Replacement