Power window issues, all 4 were working but no longer

[ahyland]

So I have a strange issue with my power windows

1995 4.0 limited RHD (UK)

All 4 windows were working but now they have all stopped, they make a noise like they want to move and giving them a small bit of pressure by hand will get to move but it's like they aren't strong enough anymore

What could cause this to happen to all 4 at the same time

I've checked the wires where they go through the door and they seems fine.

Checked power coming in/out the switch and I have 12v same at the plugs for the window motors

I think the window lock button is working correctly but honestly not sure

Suspect it may be a ground issue but having trouble finding where exactly it's located as my fuse panel is completely different being a UK spec and everything online is for US or 1996 and up which is different

Any ideas?

TLDR : all 4 windows won't work but we're working, now they just make a slight noise when you first move the switch

 

[maxbraketorque]

I guess a bad power or ground wire somewhere as you suspect.

Also, have you tried cycling the Window Lock / Unlock button?

 

[ahyland]

I guess a bad power or ground wire somewhere as you suspect.

Also, have you tried cycling the Window Lock / Unlock button?

Had a small play around with the switch, locked and unlocked positions , I even tried with the lock switch removed and the windows still only make a small noise and dont move

Suspect my issue is with the locking switch or wires if I'm getting the same symptoms if it's in the locked and unlocked positions

Wil try and take the switch apart tomorrow to get to the copper contacts inside, saw a YouTube video where a guy took them apart and the contacts were all corroded

 

[ahyland]

Pulled the switches apart I think this might be at least part of the issue, they're all heavily corroded, will update once I've cleaned them all

 

[ahyland]

So Ive managed to fix them

Cleaning the switches helped but wasn't the fix

Heres how I fixed them

Using my homemade fuse panel diagram since thr service manual is useless for a 95 uk

I pulled out fuse 12 and found which pin on the fuse block was 0v, this pin I supplied with 18v from a tool battery and then grounded the battery on the drivers window motor bracket

Disconnect your car battery if you do this or you might fry something



With the the 18v tool battery supplier I cycled all the windows up and down a few times and they seemed quicker than usual, no surprises since more power

When I did the passenger side It first didn't want to move then I heard a click and it moved like normal

I then tested all the windows again and they were even quicker so something inside the passenger side must have been the culprit a short maybe??? (Got to love self fixing issues)

I then switched back to normal 12v power by removing the tool battery and putting the fuse back in and the windows work normally once again.

If it happens again I might buy a DC step up converter and supply the windows with 15v/18v via the fuse panel with fuse removed by backfeeding power using a fuse tap off thing. Saves cutting and splicing th harness and a pile be fully removable.

 

[maxbraketorque]

Most likely one of the connections is corroded. Applying 18 V may have been just enough to overcome the resistance and perhaps create a cleaner path. If that's the case, I wouldn't expect it to last too long.