Mind of Its Own

[XLT]

I have a 2002 KIA 'Sedona EX" which I have had very few problems with! The problem that I have at the present is that the passenger side window which a power window sometime does not function and I never know when it going to work until I go to use it. I did test the power window switch for power and at the time that I did that it was not working. I checked for voltage, continuity, wire jumped it and nothing! Then after putting it back together it worked for about a week and this was a real surprise. My wife was using the master power window controls one evening while I was trying to roll the window up and by me engaging the switch it stopped the window, but as soon as I released it the master driver's side window switch continued to operate it. It quit again about three days later and just let it go, but last Thursday it started working again. What goes -- Any ideas? Thank you for any and all information!!! God 'bless' you and the USA!!!!!

[thcardoc]

Your power widow circuit is a classic design where at rest the switch contacts in both the drivers switch and passengers switch are closed to ground, through the drivers master switch. When one of the switches is operated, it opens a ground connection, and power is then supplied to that connector.

The trouble you are describing to this point hasn't been narrowed down and could be inside the door, the window motor, wiring or either switch. The next time that it acts up here is what you do.

Get a schematic for the circuit and as you read this description try and visualize the steps.

At the passengers side switch, using a test light you should have power to the red wire. Touching a test light between the red wire and a known ground will confirm that. Now go between the red wire and each of the other four wires for the window circuit, the red/yellow, green, blue, and white. They should all show that they have a ground connection present by the test light lighting up. Take your test light and connect it to a good ground, and then touch the red/yellow and try to operate the window up and down (both directions) with the drivers side switch. It should light in only one of those switch settings. Repeat that with the green wire, again it should light in only one of those settings. Failure to show power when operating the switch in one or the other direction will have you going towards the drivers switch. If one of the wires has power in both directions (up and down) then again your going towards the drivers switch because this time you have a ground connection issue. (Remember the drivers switch supplies the ground connections for the passengers side switch)

At the passengers side switch, connect the test light between the blue and white wires, now operate the switch in both directions. It should light both ways. If it does your looking at a window motor or wiring issue inside the door. If the test light does not light up both ways, or at all, then connect it to ground and try both the blue and white wires for power when you operate the switch. Then connect the test light to the red wire (power) and then the blue and white wires. This time the light should turn on immeadiately, stay on in one direction, and go out in the other.

You can also put the test light across the red/yellow and green wires. The light should light up in both directions from the drivers side switch. If it does that would help you isolate the rest of your testing to the passengers door. If it does not, then keep in mind its not uncommon for the wires to break inside the wiring harnesses because of flexing everytime you open and close the doors. You will see your tests lead you back towards the drivers switch. Putting your test light across the red/yellow and green wires right at the drivers switch would show that one working, but you would not see the same result back at the passengers side on those same two wires.

[XLT]

Thank you so much thcardoc, I will give this a shot when I get the time. Thanks again!!! God Bless you all and the USA!!! In His Service, XLT