I just bought a (very) used 1999 Ford Ranger 3.0L. It's a bit of a fixer-upper, for sure. One problem is that neither power window will go down (fortunately they're stuck in the up position). I don't know the history of the problem, just that they don't work from either the DS or PS switches.

When I press any of the switches, I don't hear anything in the door (motors) or under the dash (relay) like I've read in some of the other power window threads here. (I do know that fuse #26 is good). Nothing happens at all.

I know how to get to the switches and remove the door panels. Once I have the door panels off, what components should I check first? Second? Third? How do I test the switches with a multimeter?? If the switches check out ok, then what?

 

Take off the drivers door power window switch, this is the master switch, check it for 12v with key on, light blue/black wire was the power wire on most Ranger power windows

Power box in engine compartment may have the power window relay, they moved it around

'99 will have a GEM(Generic Electronic Module) that can disable power windows via the Power Saver relay.

GEM controls wipers, inside lights, speedometer, and pretty much any other non-engine electrics, so if any other systems are having issues it could be the GEM as the root cause

 

Well, I checked the driver's side switch at the connectors and it there appears to be no power to it (yes, key on). Disconnected switch and checked it for continuity and all 4 positions (DS_up/down and PS_up/down) work correctly. So it's not the switch.

I think the GEM is not the problem, as all other electrics seem to be working fine.

As for relays, I'm pretty fuzzy about those… and where to even find them. I see nothing behind/under dash by driver's knee, and the only power box I see in the engine compartment is the Power Distribution Box. I don't see anything listed in the manual as Power Saver Relay. (I did check Fuse #4 in the Power Distribution box, as it is labeled Power Windows. It is fine.)

So, other than confirming that the DS window switch is operable, I'm still stumped. Any ideas of what to try next?

 

I would first look in the driver's kick panel you should see all the door wiring coming out there, could even find the relay there.

Did you find the light blue/black wire on the switch, I think that should be the power wire, in the kick panel see if you can find a connector for the door wiring and test that wire for 12v, could be a broken wire in the door boot.

When you checked the fuse did you also check if the fuse has power with key on?
It could be a power distribution problem, not the power window system wiring

 

Will check those things tomorrow. Thanks for the tips!

 

Ron,
Not much progress since your last post. I can see the light blue/black wire on the interior side of the door boot, but I can't get to it. I'm going to have to remove the parking brake mount to see where the wires from the door boot go once they come into the interior. That's a job for another day.

Still very fuzzy on the relay situation. Maybe I can see something more clearly once the parking brake mount is out of the way.

As for the fuse test… that's a good question. (Fuses are on the power (+) side, not the ground side, right?) Fuse 26 on the small panel on the dash near the driver's door, has power.
However, when I checked the large 20A fuse (#4) in the Power Distribution Box in the engine compartment, I don't get power with key on. Should I? Or is that getting power only when the power window switch is engaged?

You know, I've seen posts on this forum of people who modified crank window to power windows. At this point, I'm about ready to entertain the thought of putting in manual windows. Ha!

 

That #4 20 Amp fuse should have power at all times.

SHould be a straight connection to the battery (through the fuse box).

 

Ok, correct that. Checked #4 20A fuse again with different multimeter. It DOES have power after all.
So I still have no power at switch, but #4 is not the problem.

 

HI

I have a similar problem. 2000 Ranger 4x4 both power windows are dead, wipers do not work and 4x4 switch does not work. There is no power on the blue black wire on either window switches. I was reading about the power saver module? or generic electronic module? but do not know where to find it. All fuses check out OK. Can anyone steer me in the right direction ?

Thanks
Les

 

I assume you have checked the fuse panel in the cab, and also the engine bay panel, one blown fuse can disable several devices in these newer vehicles, 1990 and up.

Go here to get your manual: Owner Manuals | fleet.ford.com

These usually list where those parts are located

The GEM module is behind the radio on most Rangers, you need to pull out the radio.

 

I just had the same issue. Replaced the driver side window motor and now the passenger side works too. Somewhere I read that the driver side works like a master. So if it's broken the passenger won't work either.

 

This thread is quite old, so I'll see if a necro will work. I'm experiencing the same issue with my 2003 Ranger. The issue started with this behavior: The driver's side window stopped functioning. However I could still hear a relay click. The passenger side would still function. Later that day I rolled down the passenger side window. At this point they both died and no relay click, no noise at all, completely dead. Passenger side window stuck down.
First thing I checked was the 20A fuse in the engine compartment. Fuse is good and I get 12v at the fuse.
2nd I removed the door panel to get at the connectors on the master window switch on the drivers side door. With the key on I checked for power on the light blue/black wire - nothing. All other electrics are functional as far as I can tell.
I needed to at least get the passenger side window up. I took a 12V battery and connected to Ground and the light blue/black wire. Here's what I though was odd - with power from this battery I could roll up the passenger side window, but the drivers side would not move still.
Not sure what to test/where to go from here.
Help me out?

-Josh

 

Welcome to the forum

If you applied 12v and ground to drivers side window motor and it didn't move then motor is bad, period

There is another fuse in cab fuse box #20 7.5amp operates safety relay

There are two relays in the in Relay box 1, that's just above gas pedal and faces parking brake pedal
Several relays in there, never have found an exact diagram of this box, lol
Try this one: https://www.carfusebox.com/ford-rang...eaker-diagram/

 

Thanks for the reply Ron.
I was wrong in my post when I said no other electrics had issues. The windshield wipers are non-functional. Again, I've found no blown fuses in the cab or engine compartment. I'll have to get back into it tonight when I get home.

-Josh

 

In 2003 the power windows and wipers have the GEM(body computer) in common, its behind the radio

But GEM also controls dome light and power door locks, any problem with those systems?

 

I know the door locks were working last night as was the dome light. I'll check again when I get home this evening.

-Josh

 

Power windows work by grounding BOTH motor wires all the time, so with no button pressed each motor should have both wires grounded at the switch
You can test for that with OHM meter
The passenger side switch has TWO ground wires run to the Master, so the Master is has the only ground for all 4 motor wires

When you turn on the key the Safety relay closes and sends 12volt to EACH window switch separately
Safety Relay closes with key ON, nothing to do with the switches or GEM

When you press a button, one motor wire is UNgrounded and given 12volts instead, the other wire is still grounded, so motor turns "clockwise" and window goes down
If you push button the other way then its reversed, other wire gets the 12v and motor turns "counter clockwise" and window goes up

The passenger window has no connection to GEM, just the Drivers side does, the one touch relay setup

Diagram below, its 2002 but 2003 is the same

What you can do is to turn on the key, so Safety relay should close
Then pull out Fuse 20 in the cab, you should HEAR a relay under the dash in Relay box 1, "click" open, then put fuse back in and you should HEAR it "click" closed again, repeat as you see fit, to determine if you do or do not HEAR it

You can also test for 12v at both switches with key on to confirm safety relay is closing

The MAIN Ground for the Master switch(so the whole power window system) is behind drivers side kick panel, a black wire that comes out of the drivers door harness, and grounded at a bolt to the metal body of the cab

So safety relay is the 12volts for both sides
The Master has the Ground for both sides

 

Finally had time after getting back from out of town work.
Well, the strange anomalies were me plugging the safety relay fuse back into an unused slot after I checked it. It was dark.
I do indeed have 12v present on the constant voltage circuit (light blue /black). All switch positions allow voltage to flow in the proper direction. Passenger side and drivers side both. Passenger side window functions, drivers side does not. Again drivers side switch appears fine. Moving the rocker switch forward: 12v on white/black wire. Backward: 12v on pink/blue (drivers switch)

Must it be the drivers side motor?

 

Yes, bad motor
You can unplug motor and put volt meter on the 2 truck side wires and hit the button, should see +12 or -12 depending on which way you push the button

 

Les did you find the issue with your truck windows and 4 wheel drive switch?
I am having the same intermittent situation. If I don't hear a click from under the dash toward heater and radio .... no window power or 4x4 switch operation to high or low