Power Window System Chevrolet Malibu V

DESCRIPTION & OPERATION

Power window system uses a permanent magnet motor to operate each window. Motor operation is controlled by a master window switch assembly alone or in combination with individual window switches. Window is raised or lowered depending on polarity of current applied to window motor.

Some models use a control module to access an express mode of operation. When left front window switch pushed past first detent, module activates relay to apply full battery voltage to window motor. This provides current to quickly and fully open window.

When ignition switch is in RUN position, power for window system is supplied to master window switch assembly through fuse block circuit breaker. When any master window switch is operated, power is applied through single window switch to motor, driving window motor in either direction to either raise or lower window. Each motor is protected by an internal circuit breaker which will reset after switch is released (voltage removed).

COMPONENT LOCATIONS

COMPONENT LOCATIONS

TROUBLE SHOOTING

Note. To prevent misdiagnosis, ensure that no Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) exist. See BODY CONTROL MODULE article.

Perform before beginning system diagnosis

1. Check PWR WDO (30-amp) circuit breaker.
2. Ensure grounds are clean and tight.
3. If only master window switch operates windows, ensure LOCKOUT is not engaged (4 door).
4. Check for broken or partially broken wire inside insulation which would cause system failure but prove good in continuity/voltage check.
5. Ensure proper installation of aftermarket electronic equipment that may affect integrity of other systems.

SYSTEM CHECK

1. With all windows closed, turn ignition switch to RUN position. Briefly press left front window switch to first detent. Window should descend a small distance, then stop.
2. Press left front window switch past first detent. Window should descend completely (express mode).
3. Press left front window switch up. Window should raise as long as switch is held up, then stop when switch is released (no express). Repeat step 3). While window is moving down in express mode, press switch upward. Window should stop express decent.
4. Lower and raise other windows from master window switch. All windows should operate quietly and smoothly through full range of travel.
5. Lower and raise each window from window switches. All windows should operate quietly and smoothly through full range of travel. Note any symptoms and proceed to appropriate test.

SYSTEM TESTING

Note. Left front window switch is referred to as master window switch.

Note. Connector Test Adaptor Kit (J 35616-A) must be used whenever a diagnostic procedure requires checking or probing a terminal to prevent damage to terminal. To locate and identify terminals (Scheme 1)and WIRING DIAGRAMS.

Scheme 1

1. Disconnect master window switch connector C2. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Connect test light between ground and master window switch and harness connector C2, terminal "C" (Brown wire). (Scheme 1) If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 3).
2. Connect test light between master window switch connector terminals "A" (Black wire) and "C" (Brown wire). If test light illuminates, go to step 4). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 5).
3. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe right instrument panel wiring junction harness block connector C3, terminal A8 (Brown wire). If test light illuminates, go to step 6). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 7).
4. Replace master window switch. Recheck system operation.
5. Repair open in Black wire between master window switch and ground splice pack G301. Recheck system operation.
6. Repair open in Brown wire between right instrument panel wiring harness junction block and master window switch. Recheck system operation.
7. Replace right instrument panel wiring harness junction block. Recheck system operation.

LEFT FRONT WINDOW DOES NOT OPERATE

1. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe master window switch connector C2, terminal "B" (Gray wire). (Scheme 1) Press left front window switch at master window switch to DOWN position. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 6).
2. Using test light connected to battery voltage, backprobe master window switch connector C2, terminal "B" (Gray wire). Press left front switch on master window switch to UP position. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 6).
3. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe master window switch connector C2, terminal "F" (Dark Blue wire). Press left front switch on master window switch to UP position. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 6).
4. Using test light connected to battery voltage, backprobe master window switch connector C2, terminal "F" (Dark Blue wire). If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 6).
5. Disconnect master window motor. Connect test light between ground and power window motor harness connector terminal "B" (Dark Blue wire). Press left front window switch on master window switch to UP position. If test light illuminates, go to step 7). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 8).
6. Replace master window switch. Recheck system operation.
7. Connect test light between ground and master window switch connector terminal "A" (Gray wire). Press left front window switch on master window switch to DOWN position. If test light illuminates, go tostep 9). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 10).
8. Repair open in Dark Blue wire between left front window motor and master window switch. Recheck system operation.
9. Replace left front window motor. Recheck system operation.
10. Repair open in Gray wire between left front window motor and master window switch. Recheck system operation.

RIGHT FRONT WINDOW DOES NOT OPERATE FROM BOTH SWITCHES, OTHER WINDOW(S) OPERATES NORMALLY

1. Turn ignition to RUN position. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe master window switch harness connector C1, terminal "A" (Light Blue wire). (Scheme 1) Press right power window front switch on master window switch to UP position. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 6).
2. Using test light connected to battery voltage, backprobe master window switch harness connector C1, terminal "A" (Light Blue wire). Press right front power window switch on master window switch to DOWN position. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 6).
3. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe master window connector C1, terminal "G" (Tan wire). Press right front power window switch on master window switch to DOWN position. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 6).
4. Using test light connected to battery voltage, backprobe master window switch connector C1, terminal "G" (Tan wire). Press right front power window switch on master window switch to UP position. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 6).
5. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe right front power window switch harness connector terminal "D" (Light Blue wire). Press right front power window switch on master window switch to UP position. If test light illuminates, go to step 7). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 8).
6. Replace master window switch. Recheck system operation.
7. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe right front power window switch harness connector terminal "H" (Tan wire). Press right front power window switch on master window switch to DOWN position. If test light illuminates, go to step 9). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 10).
8. Repair open in Light Blue wire between master window switch and right front power window switch. Recheck system operation.
9. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe right front power window switch harness connector terminal "E" (Dark Blue wire). Press right front power window switch on master window switch to UP position. If test light illuminates, go to step 11). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 13).
10. Repair open in Tan wire between master window switch and right front power window switch. Recheck system operation.
11. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe right front power window switch connector terminal "A" (Brown wire). Press right front power window switch in master window switch to DOWN position. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 13).
12. Disconnect right front power window motor connector. Connect test light between ground and right front power window connector terminal "B" (Dark Blue wire). Press right front power window switch in master window switch to UP position. If test light illuminates, go to step 14). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 15).
13. Replace right front power window switch. Recheck system operation.
14. Connect test light between ground and right front power window motor connector terminal "A" (Brown wire). Press right front power window switch in master window switch to DOWN position. If test light illuminates, go to step 16). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 17).
15. Repair open in Dark Blue wire between right front power window switch and right front power window motor. Recheck system operation.
16. Replace right front power window motor. Recheck system operation.
17. Repair open in Brown wire between right front power window motor and right front power window switch. Recheck system operation.

LEFT REAR WINDOW DOES NOT OPERATE FROM INDIVIDUAL SWITCH AND MASTER SWITCH

1. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe master window switch connector C1, terminal "C" (Dark Green wire). (Scheme 1) Press left rear power window switch in master window switch to UP position. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 6).
2. Using test light connected to battery voltage, backprobe master window switch harness connector C1, terminal "C" (Dark Green wire). Press left rear power window switch on master window switch to DOWN position. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 6).
3. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe master window connector C1, terminal "H" (Purple wire). Press left rear power window switch on master window switch to DOWN position. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 6).
4. Using test light connected to battery voltage, backprobe master window switch connector C1, terminal "H" (Purple wire). Press left rear power window switch on master window switch to UP position. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 6).
5. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe left rear power window switch harness connector terminal "D" (Light Green wire). Press left rear power window switch on master window switch to UP position. If test light illuminates, go to step 7). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 8).
6. Replace master window switch. Recheck system operation.
7. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe left rear power window switch harness connector terminal "H" (Purple wire). Press left rear power window switch on master window switch to DOWN position. If test light illuminates, go to step 9). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 10).
8. Repair open in Dark Green wire between master window switch and left rear power window switch. Recheck system operation.
9. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe left rear power window switch harness connector terminal "E" (Dark Blue wire). Press left rear power window switch on master window switch to UP position. If test light illuminates, go to step 11). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 13).
10. Repair open in Purple wire between master window switch and left rear power window switch. Recheck system operation.
11. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe left rear power window switch connector terminal "A" (Brown wire). Press left rear power window switch in master window switch to DOWN position. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 13).
12. Disconnect left rear power window motor connector. Connect test light between ground and left rear power window connector terminal "B" (Dark Blue wire). Press left rear power window switch in master window switch to UP position. If test light illuminates, go tostep 14). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 15).
13. Replace left rear power window switch. Recheck system operation.
14. Connect test light between ground and left rear power window motor connector terminal "A" (Brown wire). Press left rear power window switch in master window switch to DOWN position. If test light illuminates, go to step 16). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 17).
15. Repair open in Dark Blue wire between left rear power window switch and left rear power window motor. Recheck system operation.
16. Replace left rear power window motor. Recheck system operation.
17. Repair open in Brown wire between left rear power window motor and left rear power window switch. Recheck system operation.

RIGHT REAR WINDOW DOES NOT OPERATE FROM INDIVIDUAL SWITCH AND MASTER SWITCH

1. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe master window switch connector C1, terminal "E" (Light Green wire). (Scheme 1) Press right rear power window switch in master window switch to UP position. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 6).
2. Using test light connected to battery voltage, backprobe master window switch harness connector C1, terminal "E" (Light Green wire). Press right rear power window switch on master window switch to DOWN position. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 6).
3. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe master window connector C1, terminal "F" (Purple wire). Press right rear power window switch on master window switch to DOWN position. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 6).
4. Using test light connected to battery voltage, backprobe master window switch connector C1, terminal "F" (Purple wire). Press right rear power window switch on master window switch to UP position. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 6).
5. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe left rear power window switch harness connector terminal "D" (Light Green wire). Press right rear power window switch on master window switch to UP position. If test light illuminates, go to step 7). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 8).
6. Replace master window switch. Recheck system operation.
7. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe right rear power window switch harness connector terminal "H" (Purple wire). Press right rear power window switch on master window switch to DOWN position. If test light illuminates, go to step 9). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 10).
8. Repair open in Light Green wire between master window switch and right rear power window switch. Recheck system operation.
9. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe right rear power window switch harness connector terminal "E" (Dark Blue wire). Press right rear power window switch on master window switch to UP position. If test light illuminates, go to step 11). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 13).
10. Repair open in Purple wire between master window switch and right rear power window switch. Recheck system operation.
11. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe right rear power window switch connector terminal "A" (Brown wire). Press right rear power window switch in master window switch to DOWN position. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 13).
12. Disconnect right rear power window motor connector. Connect test light between ground and right rear power window connector terminal "B" (Dark Blue wire). Press right rear power window switch in master window switch to UP position. If test light illuminates, go to step 14). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 15).
13. Replace right rear power window switch. Recheck system operation.
14. Connect test light between ground and right rear power window motor connector terminal "A" (Brown wire). Press right rear power window switch in master window switch to DOWN position. If test light illuminates, go to step 16). If test light does not illuminate, go to step 17).
15. Repair open in Dark Blue wire between right rear power window switch and right rear power window motor. Recheck system operation.
16. Replace right rear power window motor. Recheck system operation.
17. Repair open in Brown wire between right rear power window motor and right rear power window switch. Recheck system operation.

ONE OR MORE WINDOWS INOPERATIVE FROM INDIVIDUAL SWITCHES, OPERATE FROM MASTER SWITCH

1. Disconnect inoperative power window switch connector. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Press lockout switch in master window switch to OFF position. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe inoperative window switch connector terminal "F" (Dark Blue wire). (Scheme 1) If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 3).
2. Replace inoperative power window switch. Recheck system operation.
3. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe splice pack S301 shorting bar. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 5).
4. Repair open in Dark Blue wire between inoperative window switch and splice pack S301. Recheck system operation.
5. Using test light connected to ground, backprobe master window switch connector C2, terminal "D" (Dark Blue wire). If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go tostep 7).
6. Repair open in Dark Blue wire between master window switch and splice S301. Recheck system operation.
7. Replace master window switch. Recheck system operation.

WINDOW OPERATES FROM INDIVIDUAL SWITCH, BUT NOT FROM MASTER SWITCH

Replace master window switch assembly.

EXPRESS DOWN FEATURE DOES NOT OPERATE, LEFT FRONT OPERATES

Replace master window switch assembly.

Removal & Installation

1. Remove upper trim panel by prying at side to disengage tabs and pull rearward.
2. Remove door lock/window switches. See «WINDOW SWITCH»(/chevrolet/malibu/v-1996-2000/remont/windows/#power-window-system) . Disconnect harness connectors. Pull manual lock outward to disengage from lock rod. Remove door handle escutcheon and reflector.
3. Remove trim panel screws (behind reflector, front or rear of panel and armrest). Using trim removal tool (J 38778), carefully pry inward separating trim disengaging retainers from door.
4. Remove door trim panel. Disengage mirror switch from bezel.
5. Remove water deflector enough to access window assembly nuts. Remove window assembly nuts. Remove window from outside by lifting rear, then front of window.
6. Remove regulator bolts and rivets. Remove regulator. Remove motor rivets from regulator.
7. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten regulator bolts to 93 INCH lbs (10.5 N.m)

Using a thin-blade screwdriver, pry between switch and door panel spring clip (if equipped). Press down on clip to release switch and pry outward. Disconnect electrical connector and remove switch. To install, reverse removal procedure.

See also:
• WIRING DIAGRAMS