How do I use the power windows?

ANSWER : Hi there. The only thing that would cause this is an electrical short, caused perhaps by an exposed wire in the power window module, which is located in the center console of your Ford Explorer. The best advice we could offer would be to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location to complete an electrical problems inspection to try and isolate the source of this issue.

ANSWER : Hi there. In most cases, the quick fix that you learned online will lead you to knowing what component was damaged. In this case, if you press a window switch and slam the door, it will shake or rattle the connections to the switch and "magically" roll the window up. As such, the problem is most likely either the individual motor on that window or the switch relay to that window. It’s probably a better idea to have one of our mobile mechanics come to your location and complete a window does not work inspection, so they can inspect your car and determine exactly what needs to be repaired.

ANSWER : Hi there. If you are still unsure after testing both components, you could always make a switched jumper wire, or use a circuit tester that is capable of acting as a switch. This way, you can avoid having to buy another switch and taking a chance that it is not the problem. Or you could supply voltage directly to the motor, in a short burst, to see if the motor functions in each direction. Just be aware that you need to be careful not to injure yourself around the moving parts. If you would like to have an expert perform this procedure for you, a qualified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the electrical system and follow through with proper repairs.

ANSWER : Check the 20 amp power window circuit breaker in the engine compartment fuse box. If the circuit breaker is sending power to the relay then the main power window switch will need to be checked to see if it is getting power on the yellow and light green wire at the switch. If you are getting power, then the problem will be in the main control switch. Check for power at the yellow, white, and black wires that go to the front power window motor, they should have power when you move the driver window switch up or down with the key in the on position. If you find that there is no power then the switch is at fault. If you need more help diagnosing the problem, contact a certified mechanic who can assess the issue with your windows and make the necessary repairs.

ANSWER : If removing the driver door window switch (or the driver-side console switch), and applying direct power to the harness yields successful operation of the window, the problem is the switch that was removed for the test. This can be confirmed utilizing a voltmeter/multimeter, and following the "power path" from the fuse, to the switch, to the output side of the switch (harness plug side of the switch), etc. A YourMechanic technician can assist with the diagnosis of your window issue and help you fix it accordingly.

ANSWER : It sounds like the window motor is approaching the end of its useful life. When electric motors age and wear, they become less efficient and less powerful. They will slow down and start to draw more current. The power window circuit is protected by a circuit breaker. Your motor when pushing the window up, is exceeding the limit of the breaker, then it opens the circuit.

The breaker only takes a second or two to cool off and resume, and then the process repeats. There are some things you can check and try. Check the rubber window track. Make sure it is in good condition. You can lubricate it with a silicone grease, like dielectric or tune-up grease. Use a small paintbrush to lube the inside of it where the edge of the glass contacts.

Clean and wax the window glass. Friction from the glass to the rubber atop the door panel can slow a window down. Window tint will also create more friction. Doing all of this before replacing the motor might be enough, but if the motor is tripping the breaker, it will probably need to be replaced. You can also try these things on the passenger side to see how much faster it will become. If you want to have this the window motor replaced, a technician from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to perform this service.

ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The window motor may have failed, and replacing it is a good idea. If you have a voltmeter, you can test that the motor is receiving power when the switch is pressed to go down. The motor will reverse polarity to switch the motor from going up to down, and it should read 12 volts while going down, and -12 volts when going up. If the voltage readings are correct, and the motor is not responding, then the motor is the problem. If the readings at the motor or incorrect, there is a circuit problem likely pertaining to the wiring or the switch. For more help with testing, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.

ANSWER : Try this procedure for resetting the windows: with all the car windows fully closed, enter the car and put the key in the switch. Turn the key to the on position, but do not start the car. Lower the driver’s window fully using the first position of the switch. When the window reaches the bottom, push the switch the rest of the way down to the second position and hold it there for ten seconds.

Then, raise the window fully using the first position and, when the window reaches the top, press the switch the rest of the way to the second position and hold it there for ten seconds. Repeat this procedure for all the other windows from the driver’s control, next doing passenger’s front, then passenger’s rear, and then driver’s rear. Then, turn off the key and remove it. The next time you turn the car on, the windows should work correctly.

If not, then I recommend having a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, come to your location to inspect the windows for you.