'99 Explorer power window control

[dlw]

I have a '99 and the power window controls on the driver's door sometimes don't respond at all. This has happened 3 times and each time I've been able to open the door and close it normally a time a two and the power window switches work again. The failure has only happened after the car has sit for an hour or more it seems, never while driving. Any ideas?
Thanks!

[shorod]

Does the switch fail to control any of the windows when acting up, or just the driver's door window? Ie: is it possibly just a bad motor on one door, or is it most likely in the switch circuit itself?

-Rod

[dlw]

The switch won't do anything with any of the windows when in this "mood". I realized that I don't remember if the switches on the individual doors work or not when it's acting up. I think I tried the switch on the passenger door and it didn't work either, but now I'm unsure and will have to wait for another episode until I can try the other door switches.

[shorod]

Since it seems to only happen after the truck's been sitting, and it seems to affect all four windows, I'd start by checking the Accessory Delay Relay and its connections in the relay module (behind center of instrument panel). This relay is common to all four windows, and is intended to provide power to the windows for a short period of time after the key is turned off or until a door is opened.

Does your Explorer have a factory sunroof? If so, next time it acts up, try the sunroof as well. If the sunroof doesn't work either, then chances are quite good that the Acc. Delay Relay is your culprit.

-Rod

[dlw]

I apologize for such a long time to get back to this. My son had a very major surgery and his care has taken up most of my time. I finally got to get to it today. I cut the nylon tie strap holding the rubber boot that encloses the wires from the cowl to the door and pulled the boot down enough to see the wires. First wire I spotted was the light blue one with black stripe that is the power for the window switch. As I gently pulled it away from the other wires to examine it, it broke in two! Problem diagnosed. Put a wire splice connector in to rejoin the wire. Problem solved! I can't believe it has worked at all. I had to take my daughter back to college yesterday and the windows wouldn't work unless I opened the driver's door all the way and wiggled the bundle of wires in the rubber boot. This would only work to open or close the windows once, then had to be repeated the next time you wanted to raise or lower a window. The temperature all day was 106! Man, what an easy fix and a great relief! Thanks for everyone's help, it gave me the confidence to give it a go! (BTW, on the trip yesterday, 400 miles, the old bus got 22 1/2mpg, mostly highway but very hilly - I'm well pleased, as it is right at what my Honda CRV did on the highway. In town drops to about 16 though)