1998 Limited Driver Side Power Window problem

[CamdenG]

Currently have a '98 Limited V6 with 181k miles on it.

Recently purchased about 5 months back. Within the last month I've experienced problems with only the driver side window. Occasionally it will not roll down for some reason. Always check and make sure I haven't accidentally clicked the window lock button but it seems to not be the problem. Of course it only happens when I'm pulling into a drive-thru but after about 2-3 minutes the window will fix and be able to roll down. Looked around and haven't seen anyone else with this same problem.

There's no obvious issue just by looking at the door so anyone have an idea what the problem could be?

 

[gamefreakgc]

Take out the switch panel (it pops out easy enough, just don't force it), unplug it, then remove the window rocker switch from the panel. Most likely the contacts are gunked up with dust, spilled soda, etc., a good cleaning should get it back in working order.

If that doesn't fix it, replace the switch.

 

[KD5NRH]

Currently have a '98 Limited V6 with 181k miles on it.

Recently purchased about 5 months back. Within the last month I've experienced problems with only the driver side window. Occasionally it will not roll down for some reason. Always check and make sure I haven't accidentally clicked the window lock button but it seems to not be the problem. Of course it only happens when I'm pulling into a drive-thru but after about 2-3 minutes the window will fix and be able to roll down. Looked around and haven't seen anyone else with this same problem.

Same issue, 98 SR5. Never been able to keep it happening long enough to actually troubleshoot it, since it always starts working perfectly again within a few minutes. Of course it's the only window with only one switch, so no other to test it with.

Doesn't seem like a dirty switch, because why would that go from total failure to working fine and back? Dirty contacts are usually partial fail, like cutting in and out during use, or having to hit it several times to get it to work, whereas I've gone a couple miles down the highway constantly poking at the button with absolutely nothing happening, only to fart again five minutes later, reach for the window switch out of habit, and it works perfectly fine, then run it up and down several times trying to get it to fail with no luck.

Fortunately the back window and front passenger window create enough of a wind tunnel to clear the air at 75mph without the driver window when needed, because I'm not going to quit eating those fajita nachos.

 

[espance]

Take out the switch panel (it pops out easy enough, just don't force it), unplug it, then remove the window rocker switch from the panel. Most likely the contacts are gunked up with dust, spilled soda, etc., a good cleaning should get it back in working order.

If that doesn't fix it, replace the switch.

QD Contact cleaner is a good product to use for electronics like this. Audio equipment guys swear by Deoxit, but I think QD is probably good enough

You may want to check the wires that connect to the switch panel as well, checking for potential cracks or anything else that might cause an intermittent connection. But, if it's easily "reproducible" as in not working then working 2-3 mins later like you describe, this would be interesting. I do not have my electrical diagram booklet on me, so I can't look to see if it includes a wiring diagram for the switches themselves. My next troubleshooting step would be jump the corresponding window up / down pin with a 9V battery and see if it can be continuously controlled that way. If so, then you'd definitely need a new rocker / panel. If not, something deeper is happening... I'm not sure what the pinout on the electrical connector is, but if someone is able to find that I think in theory this could work!

Does the window roll down smoothly? Could there be some sort of resistance causing issues with the motor properly rolling down the window? I guess you'd likely hear the motor trying to roll down and not succeeding.

I'd try the electronics cleaning first... the age old adage KISS applies here vs. my crazy plan to jump some pins & inspect the motor Hope this helps