Rear window button intermittently working

[DWilliam]

I can move the window up and down with the key fob/key, but every once in a while the button on the dash won’t raise or lower the window. Is there something simple I should look at?

Also, the key fob doesn’t make the back window go up, only the button on the dash (sometimes) or the key in the hatch raises it, is that normal?

 

[phattyduck]

Fob is down only. Key or dash button for up.

Does the rest of the keyless entry function correctly/normally/reliably?

The signal to the rear hatch from the dash button travels over the same "multiplex bus" as the wireless remote receiver (located in the hatch also).

-Charlie

 

[GhostRing]

My 98 doesn't have a fob, but when my switch/lock activation started acting up, I checked the wiring in the loom up by the hatch hinges.
That wiring eventually started to crack over time, and depending on what goes first - will affect up and/or down movement.
Properly splicing in fresh wire should get things back to life if it's not the dash switch itself (unlikely).

 

[DWilliam]

Fob is down only. Key or dash button for up.

Does the rest of the keyless entry function correctly/normally/reliably?

The signal to the rear hatch from the dash button travels over the same "multiplex bus" as the wireless remote receiver (located in the hatch also).

-Charlie

Yep, the rest of the fob works. Window works from the fob, and goes up with the key.

 

[phattyduck]

Yep, the rest of the fob works. Window works from the fob, and goes up with the key.

That's an odd one. That points to the switch on the dash being the problem, which I haven't heard of before.

-Charlie

 

[Ph03n1x24]

I can move the window up and down with the key fob/key, but every once in a while the button on the dash won’t raise or lower the window. Is there something simple I should look at?

Also, the key fob doesn’t make the back window go up, only the button on the dash (sometimes) or the key in the hatch raises it, is that normal?

I would check the quick disconnect on the back of the dash console switch. It might be a loose connection or the connector may just need a good cleaning. The wires are thin on that particular wiring harness. Possibly one of the wires has shorted or has backed out of the pressure connector.

Good luck!

 

[Twisted Sid]

My switch has a hesitation to it sometimes going up. Usually takes a few presses and to hold it for a few seconds and it will work. As long as I don't let off the switch it will go all the way up.

 

[DWilliam]

I would check the quick disconnect on the back of the dash console switch. It might be a loose connection or the connector may just need a good cleaning. The wires are thin on that particular wiring harness. Possibly one of the wires has shorted or has backed out of the pressure connector.

Good luck!

Thanks! So the dash switch has a quick connect, that runs to the back hatch quick connect? I’ll make sure both of those are good and tight before I move on.

Pretty simple to access the back of the dash switch and rear harnesses?

 

[phattyduck]

Thanks! So the dash switch has a quick connect, that runs to the back hatch quick connect? I’ll make sure both of those are good and tight before I move on.

Pretty simple to access the back of the dash switch and rear harnesses?

The dash switch connects to the dash harness and the front fuse box and body control module. The front fuse box 'talks' to the rear hatch computer via a serial interface and tells it the front switch is pressed. There is no direct connection between the front and rear, it goes through two computers to get to the rear motor... The key fob and hatch buttons talk/connect directly to the rear hatch computer that controls the rear window.

BUT - if the keyless entry and rear wiper work, the communication part of the system is working, which basically just leaves the switch as the problem.

-Charlie

 

[Ph03n1x24]

Charlie is correct. I've had this all apart a few times and I'm always cautious of that dang switch. Hunting down a wiring harness short is for the birds!

Best of luck!