Info: Electrical problems/solutions gen 3 window/door

[zoni]

Hey guys... just got done fixing my brother's 96...

Symptoms...
front pass. door lock switch not functioning.
front pass. door lock motor not functioning.
front pass window only goes down.
unknown symptom: front pass. door key lock switch not functioning (cylinder is locked up so couldnt test it...)

First i tried another master window switch and pass window switch. no help

then i looked at my diagrams... figured out which wires were what... applied proper voltage to the door lock motor and window motor to test them both directly... they both worked fine.

SO... im down to wiring harnesses... tested continuity between affected wires on pass side... found a couple open

took the boots off and pulled the harness from the inside out to the door jam... found 2 broken wires (lock/unlock).. and maybe 3 others with the casing slit.

soldered them back up, heat shrink tubing, and tape everything back up. put extra tape on there and a piece of tougher wrap also... put the harness back through and boots back in.

LOCK MOTOR WORKS from both switches, LOCK SWITCH works for all doors...

I still had the window problem though... so i looked at the diagram again, and figured out it will only work on the way down IF the red wire with blue stripe is broken on the OTHER side...

so i went straight for the boots... same thing on the other side.. 2 breaks, that wire for the window and the other one was the door lock key switch on the pass side... didnt work anyway, but i fixed the wire...

Got everything nice nice on that side, put it back in.. and we are good to go...

I wonder if it was a recall, because it seemed completely factory. too lazy to check the recalls though...


anyway, its all good now. my brother was like, wow you really do know your shit..

just wanted to share for anyone who might have door electrical problems...

[Mike Gerber]

"I wonder if it was a recall, because it seemed completely factory. too lazy to check the recalls though..."

I doubt this was a recall item. Recalls are usually issued on components that effect safety and emissions. I wouldn't consider this problem to fall in to either category. This is just one of fatique and wear of the harness over the years. Not the greatest design I have to admit, but these problems don't surface until years after the car is out of warranty. That makes it the owner's problem.

Mike