All Windows Dead

[Yukon Youngun]

When I had to take my wife's '03 Explorer out a couple of weeks ago, there was enough frost on the windows to keep them from opening. It did not seem to be all that much, so I expected to bump them up and down a bit to just work them loose.

Well, so much for plan "A". I fiddled with all of them pretty much at the same time and then they all stopped working altogether. I have since checked all the fuses I can find and all are o.k. Is there a master relay or something somewhere that may have blown?

[the_tow_guy]

Doesn't have a window lock button on the control panel to disable them, does it?

I don't think there's a master relay, but more likely another fuse or circuit breaker. Did you check in the fuse/breaker panel under the hood as well as in the passsenger compartment?

[Yukon Youngun]

Yes, a "master" lockout switch on the driver's arm. No help there, yet. Yes, checked inside and outside fuse boxes.

As it happens, I had the truck in the shop today for other things and wouldn't you know it, the guy (the one guy) that does their electrical diagnostics was out today. They got about as far as I did.

I guess if I can find the time tomorrow I will pull the driver's controls to see if a terminal or the lockout switch got fried.

[newtofta]

this happens-alot-due to non use.
alot of folks 'never' lower the windows-just run the a/c.
the glass actualy gets stuck-sorta bonded to the run channels.
& the moter brushes get crudy/stuck
you can 'try'-(it works-alot of the time)-need 2 people-
TO begin with tou need a rubber -'hub cap' hammer- with door open - rather violently(not-destructive)-whop the lower corners of the inside dood pannels-several times.
1st helper cyclcle switch up/down while 2nd helper -has subject door open-stand chest to open door- put both palms -one on inside - one on out side-glass -physicaly shove glass up-down / with coresponding switching.
try this several times- once you get one to break loose -lower it -lube the channels liberly with silicone -wet lube.cycle window several times -cycle 'all windows 'weekly' lube as needed-(6 mos.)

[the_tow_guy]

Yeah, I thought about that, too, but didn't think it would happen to all windows at the same time.

[wire twister]

The drivers window usually does not get stuck, it gets exercised at drive thru banks and such. I am betting on a fried drivers side window switch.

[newtofta]

another idea.
with dome lite 'on'-watch dome lite.
key-on-not running-cycle a window switch,-does the lite appear to dim/flicker-at all
yes-the motor is getting current
no-motor 'poss' not getting current-try driver side master switch replacement

[the_tow_guy]

Wouldn't hurt to check wiring in the door hinge area, too where the harness runs from the door to the interior.

[Yukon Youngun]

Given the sudden nature of the failure when pressing several, if not all, buttons at the same time I am sure it is an electrical issue. Also, all the windows get fairly regular use, not only the driver's.

Definitely, no power to any of the motors.

Well, I pulled to driver controls today and found that it contains a lot more than just a few switches and diodes as shown on a schematic I found. There are no visible indications of a burnt device, but I am sure it's something on the circuit board.

I thought I would take the unit to work with me to do some troubleshooting, but apparently the control is tied to the security system as the alarm trips when the door opens if the control module is not plugged in. Oh, well. Guess I'll call around tomorrow for a replacement.

[AdRock]

Try pulling the connector off the main switch panel. Then jumping power to the different windows and see if they do anything.

[jpr28056]

If I'm not mistaken the GEM module has some control over the windows.

[Yukon Youngun]

Finally, something new. Before I went off to buy a switch module, I was able to get a meter on this thing and found no power getting to it. I did id the correct fuse and circuit breaker and both are good. The next thing on my schematic is the accessory delay relay which I assume is the same thing that turns on the radio, cabin lights and other assorted stuff when I turn the key on. Well, all the other stuff works, so if this relay is bad, it must have multiple contacts and only one of them sticking. Trouble is, I can't get to it to find out.

The user manual shows it on the back side of the fuse block inside the cabin and I started into the dash this evening only to find it takes some serious deconstruction to reach anything. Surely I don't have to pull the whole dash out...

[newtofta]

as an above post stated- this 'may ' be in the 'gem' module.
whitch is mounted to the top of the fuse block.
it is removeable/separate from the dash-, but not easily.
& the gem will ( most probaly) require a 'pmi'-(program module instalation)-whitch is 'most' likely require a visit to the local ' ford ' dealer.
since the pmi process requires the original module to be plugged in,! you might want to let them do the whole opperation.
sorrry,if this is not what you were looking to hear,but the electronics are getting !very!complicated.

'if' yuo are lucky! "CLAWHAMMER ' will be along here-shortly- to straighten things out