How to Bypass Power Window Switch
Introduction:
A power window switch is a device in the car that controls the lifting and lowering of the window. There are many types of switches; some vehicles use regular push buttons, others have dials with different positions for up-down and left-right windows. In addition, some systems have “modes” which you can program to roll up or down higher speed, etc., automatically. Today I am going to discuss a technique on how to bypass power window switch. But before that, we need to know some basic information about power window switches. So let us get started.
Summary: If your power window switch is not working, there are a few things you can do to bypass it. First, you can try to replace the switch. If that doesn’t work, you can try to jumper the wires from the switch to another location on the car.
How Do Power Windows Work?
Power windows are a safety feature found on most newer automobiles. They allow the driver to raise and lower the window without having to crank it open by hand. Instead, if you press the button on your door, an electrical signal is sent to an actuator motor inside the door panel. The motor rotates one or two metal “cogs” called worm gears which rotate in turn, causing a cable connected to an electric motor at the side of the door (or sometimes overhead) to move in and out as it turns a spool that pulls up or pushes down on the power window regulator. Because this system is completely electronic, there is no need for cables, pulleys, tracks, or ladders and can be operated remotely, allowing for easy access from the inside and the outside of the vehicle.
Common Problems With Power Windows:
- Driver’s Side Window will not work from the controls but does work when rolling it up/down.
- Driver’s Side Window will not go down when using the switch.
- Passenger’s Side Window will not go down when using the switch.
- All window switches do not work in general.
- An intermittent clicking noise comes from my power window switch or the motor itself that goes away after a few attempts to raise/lower the window.
- Window Motor runs slow and makes excessive noise or locks up completely, causing windows to stay halfway open, etc.
Step-wise Guide on How to Bypass Power Window Switch:
Step-1:
The first thing that needs to be done is to remove the door panel. By doing that, you can easily access the wire harness. But, first, start by removing two screws near the bottom of your door’s armrest, which hold it in place.
Step-2:
Now, take off two other screws behind the armrest beneath the trim on the handle side of your car, one located at the top and another down below.
Step-3:
Now, you need to disconnect the window switch wiring harness from the metal clip named “window switch or regulator.” Gently pull on the harness to detach it from the clip, being careful not to break any plastic clips holding them in place. Next, look at the power window control switch, and you will see two red wires in color. Disconnect these wires from the switch.
Step-4:
In order to bypass the power window switch, you will need to get a 13 pin fuse-holder and connect it between the ground wire from your car’s wiring harness and the black wire coming out of your new bypass module. Then, use two inches of electrical tape to secure the connections and cover the entire area with a good quality plastic plug.
Step-5:
To test this setup put 12 volts across L and N from your car battery. With these two wires connected, the power window motor will start working as if nothing had happened to it. To the outside world, there are no visible signs of this modification!
Step-6:
To test that your wiring is correct, disconnect and then reconnect the two red wires mentioned in step 3 while testing your setup with 12 volts on “L” and “N.” This should make your window rise or fall without any problem. Later, when you need to use the remote control again, simply reconnect those 2 wires.
Step-7:
Once you are done with this modification, you should use black tape for isolating it from the rest of the circuit, or, better still, use some kind of heat-resistant tape to cover all exposed wires. Remember, the original purpose behind doing all these is merely to bypass the power window switch.
How Do I Remove The Window Motor?
Disconnect the battery ground cable. This will eliminate any static electricity that may damage the electronics in the power window motor you are about to remove. The motor is held in by a retaining clip, which is also a safety feature for children – keep it somewhere safe once removed. Use small pliers to press gently on the top of the clip and push down until it pops out of its notch. Once this clip is gone, use your hand to pull up on the rest of the retainer; it should slide right off with minimal force applied. Next, remove two bolts holding regulator assembly into door frame using ratchet/socket wrench (instructions will vary depending on year/make/model, but most likely there are two 10mm bolts). Gently remove the assembly from the door.
Use needle-nose pliers to pry off any electrical connectors that may be holding the motor in place. If the wires are soldered on, you should have a solder-removing tool around; if not, try burning them off with a heated screwdriver or make a note of where each wire goes and replace them once the motor is removed. You can also leave these connectors where they are – it’s up to you… You’ll probably need more leverage than simply pushing against the ceiling of the car, so find something sturdy and hook this under one end of the window regulator half: this will help keep everything stable while you’re working. Next, stick your arm (or whatever reaches) into the window frame and feel around for a pair of large plastic clips that hold the mechanism in place. Grab both of these and pull them straight out towards you; this will release the motor from its home.
If there seems to be some metal bracket holding it back further inside, you may need something like this: a bent coat hanger or any strong wire with an end thin enough to fit into a small hole near where it was seated. You can stick it down there and try pulling – if nothing happens, carefully bend it 90 degrees so that the other side can reach further inside; if still unsuccessful, repeat until you have created some sort of hook shape on your tool that can grab whatever is holding it. Then, gently pull/wiggle the motor out of the door.
How to Raise a Power WIndow Manually?
The first thing that you should do when trying to raise an immobile power window manually is to check whether the problem is limited to the motor or rather caused by other issues. For example, sometimes, a loose connection between your car’s door and its casing can cause problems with raising the power window. Also, dirt may affect the power window switches. So, to find out what exactly is causing you trouble with operating your power windows, you should remove all door panels – this way, you will have easy access to each particular mechanism that may help understand where exactly the problems are coming from.
After that, follow these directions: First of all, switch off your vehicle’s power supply (you should do it every time before dealing with electricity). Then wait till all electrical components become completely inactive (this will take a few seconds). Now raise the power window manually – you should use your hands or (if possible) place some heavy object on top of the stuck window to force it open. If everything goes well, at this point, you will see that the mechanism does not get locked into one position and moves freely inside the door’s casing – which means that dirt was causing problems with the proper functioning of your power windows.
Slowly wipe the dirt from the area with a cloth, and press down on the window a few times to remove any dust. If there’s no change, it means the power window is damaged. In that case, the only thing you can do is contact your local mechanic.
Safety Tips While Learning How to Bypass Power Window Switch
- The open-circuit voltage is enough to kill; please be careful!
- The power window switch must have a voltage of 12V or above for it to work. (White wire)
- Safety glasses are recommended because some parts may fly out while opening the window, and they could hurt your eyes.
- Always check around before you start working so that nothing will fall onto you.
- Plug in the vacuum cleaner first before you start working on the power window. It can catch any trash inside there when removing screws or wires; use it as a dust box if necessary.
- You need a small screwdriver for this job. I prefer one with flat head tips which won’t damage the door’s surface.
- You will need to remove the power window switch at one point in this job. Be careful not to break it while prying/pulling it out. If you hear a crackle or pop sound along with some wires coming off with the switch, then that means something has broken. Test each wire after removing the old switch before replacing one to make sure they are connected properly and will work.
- Adjustable wrench (or vice grips) is needed if you want to loosen or tighten any screws because your fingers won’t easily do that inside a small space like this.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why Won’t My Electric Window Go Up?
There are a few reasons why your electric window won’t go up. One reason is that the car battery may be dead. The other reason is that there could be a problem with the power window motor itself. If you still cannot get it to work, then it’s time to call for professional help.
What Fuse Controls Power Windows?
The fuse controls power windows is a small, cylindrical device that contains fuses. It is usually located on the driver’s side of the vehicle and near the window switch.
Fuses are devices that contain a wire inside them that has electricity running through them when they are installed in an electrical circuit. They protect circuits from overloading or getting too hot, so the current does not pass through it.
A fuse works by breaking down if too much current passes through it and can stop a short circuit from occurring.
Can Hear Window Motor but Window Wont Go Up?
The most common cause of a window motor not working is a broken wire or short circuit. If the power is on and the switch is in the correct position, you may need to replace the window motor if it’s broken.
Where Is the Window Fuse Located?
There are a few different locations where the window fuse is located. One of the most common places to find the window fuse is your door hinge. There is also a small fuse box located under the dashboard in the car that you can access with a socket wrench or even a butter knife if you don’t have one.
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Conclusion
Thus I hope you have obtained all the relevant information about how to bypass power window switch. Thank you, and have a good day!
Louis Wein
Louis has always been fascinated by cars. He loves the way they look, the sound of the engine, and how they make him feel when he's driving. He is always keen to learn more about different mechanics of cars and how the engine contributes to other aspects of the car. As an automotive technician with over 10 years of experience, he knew how they worked and loved taking them apart to see how they went back together. He was especially interested in the mechanics of combustion engines and loved finding ways to make them more efficient. He loves to work on cars and help people keep their vehicles running smoothly. As a senior editor, he enjoys contributing to Diy quickly because it allows him to share his knowledge and expertise with others.
