Master Window Switch gremlins, currently at a loss.

[gerbilunit]

Hoping I could get some ideas on what my issue may be with my 03 LX master window switch.

Background - I have intermittent behavior. Previously the front driver would work (up and down by holding down or hold up but never AUTO). Only intermittently and with no repeatable behavior could I roll up/down the other 3 windows. All 3 windows can AUTO up/down on their individual switches. Power door lock does not seem to engage anything repeatable either, I've seen it lock and unlock and then it stops working. Window lock seems to consistently work. I can confirm that the other windows seem to respect when from the master switch I hit the window lock.

Troubleshooting attempts
1. Checked the original harness, and it looks like the PO may have had similar issues and tinkered to no success.
2. Checked specifically the area in the door jam at first. No broken cables.
3. Tried a replacement switch - NON oem master switch, did nothing but cause me troubles.
4. Replaced with an OEM switch on my stock wiring harness. Magically the master window seemed to consistently AUTO up and down. I was getting excited at this point.
5. Was recommended since I couldn't control the other windows, and since it looked like the PO may have tinkered, I should just replace the wiring harness. So I did. Here's when things start getting wonky and unrepeatable.

Testing on the new harness.
1. Now I can't seem to control anything, BUT on a few occasions I was able to all of a sudden AUTO up/down all of the other windows EXCEPT for the drivers front window. At one point I was also able to control the power window from the master switch. I saw it with my own eyes and did it repeatedly. Next day, nothing works again. So I flipped flopped between my old harness and new harness and nothing is repeatable.

2. I wiggled the harness connections and held and clicked on the switch to see if maybe it was loose wiring but nothing that I could repeat with any consistency.

More testing and troubleshooting
I read how many mentioned it could be the lock actuator, so I took it apart replaced it with a new one and tried again, nothing from the master switch.

I then tried lock/unlock from my remote and heard the drivers door lock with some real enthusiasm, so it sounds like the actuator is working and working strong. Then it stopped locking/unlocking.

Other testing.
1. Checked fuses, nothing blown.
2. Unplugged my battery for 15 minutes, nothing again.

I'm really at a loss. Any ideas on what else I can check or what may be the cause of this? The lights on the master switch for all of the windows are on, so there's power. The window lock control worked consistently on the new OEM switch replacement so it seems like SOMETHING is getting across to the other windows.

 

[RomanianAdrian]

Hoping I could get some ideas on what my issue may be with my 03 LX master window switch.

Background - I have intermittent behavior. Previously the front driver would work (up and down by holding down or hold up but never AUTO). Only intermittently and with no repeatable behavior could I roll up/down the other 3 windows. All 3 windows can AUTO up/down on their individual switches. Power door lock does not seem to engage anything repeatable either, I've seen it lock and unlock and then it stops working. Window lock seems to consistently work. I can confirm that the other windows seem to respect when from the master switch I hit the window lock.

Troubleshooting attempts
1. Checked the original harness, and it looks like the PO may have had similar issues and tinkered to no success.
2. Checked specifically the area in the door jam at first. No broken cables.
3. Tried a replacement switch - NON oem master switch, did nothing but cause me troubles.
4. Replaced with an OEM switch on my stock wiring harness. Magically the master window seemed to consistently AUTO up and down. I was getting excited at this point.
5. Was recommended since I couldn't control the other windows, and since it looked like the PO may have tinkered, I should just replace the wiring harness. So I did. Here's when things start getting wonky and unrepeatable.

Testing on the new harness.
1. Now I can't seem to control anything, BUT on a few occasions I was able to all of a sudden AUTO up/down all of the other windows EXCEPT for the drivers front window. At one point I was also able to control the power window from the master switch. I saw it with my own eyes and did it repeatedly. Next day, nothing works again. So I flipped flopped between my old harness and new harness and nothing is repeatable.

2. I wiggled the harness connections and held and clicked on the switch to see if maybe it was loose wiring but nothing that I could repeat with any consistency.

More testing and troubleshooting
I read how many mentioned it could be the lock actuator, so I took it apart replaced it with a new one and tried again, nothing from the master switch.

I then tried lock/unlock from my remote and heard the drivers door lock with some real enthusiasm, so it sounds like the actuator is working and working strong. Then it stopped locking/unlocking.

Other testing.
1. Checked fuses, nothing blown.
2. Unplugged my battery for 15 minutes, nothing again.

I'm really at a loss. Any ideas on what else I can check or what may be the cause of this? The lights on the master switch for all of the windows are on, so there's power. The window lock control worked consistently on the new OEM switch replacement so it seems like SOMETHING is getting across to the other windows.

Hey man I just had the same problem and found another thread on here to help me fix it. In my instance it was a wire that had completed severed inside the boot that's between the body and driver's door -they're all wrapped up together really good so you'll need to check very carefully that inside the wrapping/grommet and everything that there isn't any wire severed or on it's last strand. You could have a wire that's almost separated in there, you'll want to double check and trace all the wires completely as the severed bit may be under some wrapping/grommet bit.

There's a kick panel in the driver footwell -remove it by carefully prying it out, then unplug the connectors and pull out the body in the door jam. Once it's out then you need to carefully remove all the tape & rubber covering the wires, then inspect carefully. In my situation it was a thicker wire and it was completely severed within the grommet/boot. I got a spare copper wire and soldered it in to re-connect it. In my case it was the thicker white wire with black stripe, but in your situation may be different. Hope this helps

 

[adubhill]

Need some help here, just replaced master window switch, all the windows work except for the Driver's window. When I click on it, I just hear a dull click inside the door. It's like it's trying to work but not. Any thoughts?

 

[RomanianAdrian]

Need some help here, just replaced master window switch, all the windows work except for the Driver's window. When I click on it, I just hear a dull click inside the door. It's like it's trying to work but not. Any thoughts?

Did you trace the wires in the harness between the chassis and inside the door? As posted above, mine severed inside the scrunchie between the door and chassis. The driver door switch panel will still make sounds even when one of the wires is clipped.