02 impala PW question

Been a few weeks now where i havn't been able to roll down any of my windows, i have been searching for the relay but i can't find it, at first i thought it might just be the main switch on the driver side but no it's all the switchs , what could be the problem?


Marsal

Check the fuse panels first. Owners manual will have the window fuse locations. Next, maybe the connector is loose. The switch panel is just snapped into the door, pry it up and check the 2 connectors on the back.

im pretty positive it's not the switch panel, because then everyone one will have to be disconnected, i'll look for the fuses maybe that will fix the problem.

Thanks


Marsal

I forgot to mention the 2 torx screws that will have to be removed to pry up the switch panel.
The panel only has two connectors, one for the electric mirror, and one for all the windows. If that one is loose, none of the windows will work.

I forgot to mention the 2 torx screws that will have to be removed to pry up the switch panel.
The panel only has two connectors, one for the electric mirror, and one for all the windows. If that one is loose, none of the windows will work.




I just tryed that, nothing and realized my power Mirrors dont move either, could this be the main switch being faulty? If so would that cause all the windows to not work also..


Marsal

The mirror and windows are all on the same printed circuit board, so maybe a fault there could cause all to them to fail. Did you ever find and check the circuit breaker? It's in the left instument panel accessory wiring junction box, and is 25 amps.
The yellow wire coming into the window switch should have voltage when the key is on, check for that as well. It seems more likely that there is no power coming to the switch than for a circuit board to fail.

The Fuse is fine, how would i check that, just with a ohm meter and cut the wire? i will have to do that tomorrow since i dont have a ohm meter, and if there is power going to that wire what should be the amount ?


Marsal

Just turn the key to run, unplug the connector at the window switch, and put one probe of your voltmeter into the correct hole (the one the yellow wire goes to). Put the other probe on a ground, like a bare metal part. I think you should get 12 volts, but I'm not certain about that. You should have some voltage though, if nothing, your switch isn't getting power.

seen it a few times where the ground wire chafes/breaks/looks like it has been cut. knocks out entire master switch and mirror control. with door panel off trace ground wire into harness up to where it exits door and goes into car, check it real good.

Hmm, only issue with that is it's sorta my daily driver, so i can't just go ahead and start ripping it apart unless i actually have the time for it, is there any easer way to find out if it is indeed that problem?


MARSAL

the rubber bootie thingy(not the best technical term...i know) keeping wires from showing between door and body. move it out of the way enough to the right to see the wires, find the black ground wire and pull on it gently, if it starts moving ALOT, then keep pulling gently until it stops, or you have found the "break" in the wire. removing door panel is easier IMO, but this may be a quicker alternative for you.

Pull the whole switch box out of the door, disconnect both connectors. Measure resistance between the ground wire and a good ground on the body. If it is close to zero, the ground wire is okay. It should take you ten minutes max to remove, measure and replace everything. And, if you don't get done, it won't hurt to drive without the switch box installed.

Alright, i just ordered a Volt meter so that should be here later this week "Im Hoping " i will get it tested asap and get it finished before i need to bring it in.


I'll keep you guys updated every step of the way just to make sure you know where im at .


Thanks for the help btw, i greatly appreciate it

Marsal

Quick question where i would put the prongs, there is 3 sockets one that says 10A,Com,VohmmA , which one would i use to find this problem? I dont know how to use this one i bought it's "HIGHTECH" haha

Marsal

Put the black wire into the hole labeled Comm. The red wire goes in the hole labeled vohmma.
Either wire will probably fit any hole, the colors don't really matter that much, it will just make it easier for me to help you if I know which color is in which hole on your meter.

Hey, i'v been pretty busy still no luck haven't had a single moment to even check the windows, now i would put the volt meter in what setting to get the correct data? Im sorry for the continues dumb questions i dont know anything about electricity and i want to get accurate readings .


Marsal

You want to measure volts, consult the instructions that came with the meter for how to set that. The voltage you are looking for will be no more than 12 volts, so set the range for something as close to 12 as you can, but not below 12. My meter has a 30 volt setting that works fine.
Is your meter digital, or does it have a needle?

Digital, and it didn't come with instructions.


Marsal

I love it how companies expect you to know everything about how to use their product, so they don't bother to include instructions...
You want to measure DC volts. Does it have knobs you can turn to set ranges or types of measurements?
Or do you have a picture of it or a website, so I could get a look at it?

This is it, thanks for your help.


Marsal

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z273/chi_town906/multimeter_2.jpg

Looks like where you have it set is correct. Because it is digital, the reading you get will not be totally steady, but will fluctuate up and down a little. You are just looking for the average reading.