2003 Ford Taurus driver power window will not go up

[Harlan]

2003 Ford Taurus, 4dr sedan, 80,000miles.
The driver's side power window will not go up. You hear only a relay
clicking /chattering from fuse block under dash. Have swapped new
relay but same problem. Confirmed regulator and motor OK. Using
external 12 volt supply connected to window motor, it runs up and down just fine.
Have wiring diagram but not clear on following it. I'm an electronics tech by trade and would like some help troubleshooting this or a diagnosis by someone famiar with this problem. BTW.. all other windows working fine.
Thanks!

[crank.it]

hi harlan-try the switch itself....check for current going in and out of switch on the door...to the motor...crank.it

[Harlan]

Thanks for the suggestion. If I could identify which wires are actually the ones supplying the 12v and the wires to the motor, I would jumper them momentarily to see what happens....if it works this way then it would seem to be the switch.
The "diagrams" for this switching consists of two pages. There is a lot of "interaction" involved it seems. Not real straightforward to follow. There is a "master window adjust switch" and then each door switch and I don't quite know what is meant by the master switch. Then there is an "Electronic Module" involved in the diagram as well and difficult to see how that is used or what it does. Anyway it is not drawn in a way I'm familiar with so, again, a bit difficult to follow.

I may just get a switch and replace the original to rule that out. Just seems to me though when contacts (in the switch) are getting pitted or burnt that you would get some erratic and intermittent behavior before just not working at all. In this case it just quit suddenly. OK enuf of that... will probably get a switch. Thanks again.

---

Follow-up to previous post: A "duh" moment for me. Finally dawned on me that the 4 total pages of the drawing sort of need to be overlapped to get the complete concept. Obviously the "master switch" is really the driver's set of 4 switches and so I have to sort out the "drivers" switch circuitry from it which helps a little. Sorry for the brain freeze (we did just recently have a bizzard) but now I may have a better chance of sorting thru this chopped up wiring diagram. Thanks for understanding, :-)

[way2old]

Ford is bad about the switches failing. They just quit. It usually is on the window that is used most often.

[Harlan]

Thanks for the input.. sounds more like the switch so will take a chance on getting one. Will try to post results once I get it purchased and put in.

(12-15-2010 08:58 PM)way2old Wrote:  Ford is bad about the switches failing. They just quit. It usually is on the window that is used most often.

[tac]

If the motor runs when supplied directly with power, then you've ruled that out.

If the relay is chattering there may not be enough consistent power to start the window motor. Or the power line from the relay to the motor may have wiggled loose from the back of the relay socket.

When checking the door switch, remember that many relays energize when closed to ground - so the door switch may not have any power going to it at all - it may be completing a circuit to ground. If ground to the door or the switch mount is bad/weak that could be the cause. In fact, that's what I'd spend my time looking for first.

TAC

(12-15-2010 09:07 PM)Harlan Wrote:  Thanks for the input.. sounds more like the switch so will take a chance on getting one. Will try to post results once I get it purchased and put in.

(12-15-2010 08:58 PM)way2old Wrote:  Ford is bad about the switches failing. They just quit. It usually is on the window that is used most often.

[Harlan]

Posting this follow-up on the window problem.
I purchased a used switch and tried it. To my pleasant surprise...
IT WORKED !!
Window goes up and down nicely. We took the switch totally apart
and found possible 2 of 4 contacts badly worn or burnt away.

At first I was still not getting any motion from the window after plugging
in the replacement switch....I was bummed. Then I discovered I had left the motor unplugged so as not to accidently lower the window while waiting to see what I would try next time. Once I discovered this, I was given "new hope" for the chance the switch might solve it... and as I said, it did. So am very happy to have this miserable job over with.

A novice would probably have jumped at the conclusion that the switch must be broke. But being somewhat experienced in troubleshooting, I jumped to the more hidden causes...ha.

Thanks for all the offers of help and tips... Merry Christmas to all !

(12-16-2010 12:50 AM)tac Wrote:  If the motor runs when supplied directly with power, then you've ruled that out.

If the relay is chattering there may not be enough consistent power to start the window motor. Or the power line from the relay to the motor may have wiggled loose from the back of the relay socket.

When checking the door switch, remember that many relays energize when closed to ground - so the door switch may not have any power going to it at all - it may be completing a circuit to ground. If ground to the door or the switch mount is bad/weak that could be the cause. In fact, that's what I'd spend my time looking for first.

TAC

(12-15-2010 09:07 PM)Harlan Wrote:  Thanks for the input.. sounds more like the switch so will take a chance on getting one. Will try to post results once I get it purchased and put in.

(12-15-2010 08:58 PM)way2old Wrote:  Ford is bad about the switches failing. They just quit. It usually is on the window that is used most often.

[crank.it]

yyyyeeeeeeehhhhaaawwww good luck harlan post again ....crank.it

[vedaearl]

Clean your battery posts and both battery terminal ends. if this doesn't works do check the wire harness that goes through the drivers door, check out if any wire is broken.