Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Power Windows




Power Windows Description and Operation

Power Windows System Components

The power window system consists of the following components:

* Driver window switch

* Passenger window switch

* Left rear window switch

* Right rear window switch

* Window motors in each of the doors

* LT WDO 30A Fuse

* MIR WDO MDL 5A Fuse

* RT WDO 30A Fuse

* Body control module (BCM)

Driver and Passenger Express Up and Express Down Power Window Motors

The driver and passenger doors contains a window motor is smart motor that will detect excessive resistance while performing the express up function and automatically reverse direction to prevent injury to any occupants that may become trapped between the closing window and the door frame. The automatic reverse safety feature can be overridden by pulling and holding the window switch.

The logic circuit within the window motor monitors the up, down and express signal circuits which are normally equal to B+ voltage. When a switch is used on the window switch, the contacts close causing a voltage drop within the appropriate signal circuit. The window motor will detect the voltage drop and will command the window to move in the direction requested.

The driver window switch communicates to the BCM by a serial data circuit. When the driver wishes to control the passenger window, the driver will use the appropriate switch on the driver window switch. When this switch is used, a serial data message is sent to the BCM requesting the passenger window motor command, the BCM will then send a serial data message to the passenger window motor which will then move in the direction requested.

Left Rear, Right Rear Express Down Window Motors

For the right rear and left rear doors, when their window switch is pressed in the down position, battery positive voltage is applied to their respective window motor control circuit and ground to the other window motor control circuit causing that window to open. When the individual window switch is pulled in the up position, voltage and ground is applied to the window motor in the opposite direction causing that window to close. The return path to ground is supplied through the inactive control circuit being normally grounded through the window switch.

Each rear window switch communicates to the BCM by a serial data circuit. When the driver wishes to control the left rear or right rear window, the driver will use the appropriate switch on the driver window switch. When this switch is used, a serial data message is sent to the BCM requesting a window motor command, the BCM will then send a serial data message to the appropriate rear door window switch which will then command that window to move in the direction requested.

Lockout Switch Feature

The driver power window switch contains a window lockout switch, when the driver presses the window lockout switch, a serial data message is sent to the BCM which will send a disable command to the rear window switches, deactivating them. The rear windows will still function normally from the switches on the driver window switch.