Driver's side window will not go up

Tiny
PAMALA A GRAVITT
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
  • 3.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 67,000 MILES
None of the window controls work on any of the windows. How do I know if I have to have a motor a window motor?
Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 9:12 PM

20 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

This could be a problem with Ground #309 which is in the left front door sill. In the diagrams down below I have included a wiring diagram of your vehicle's power window circuits and a guide on how to check a ground. Please go through these guides and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

This guide will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/electric-window-repair

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.

Thanks,
Alex
2Carpros
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 9:53 PM
Tiny
LUCKYUNICORN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I had to replace the window switch on my car cost me $87.00
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+3
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:35 PM
Tiny
WAZZAT?
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
The driver's window opens when I start the engine and I cannot close it until something times out after several seconds. This also affects the radio because it does not turn on until the same time out.

1999 Buick Century 4 door, 3.1 litre V6, Automatic, 70,000 miles, power windows with Express Down.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
When it does work, does the switch function properly? Do the other windows work ok?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+4
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WAZZAT?
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes, the windows work correctly after this, except for the left rear window which has not worked for a while. The LF window has broken wires in the door harness.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Need to repair all the wiring, could be shorting out causing the problems
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WAZZAT?
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
You said to repair the wiring on the back door first. Did that, no change.

Found the Driver's Door Master Window Switch had burnt/sticking contacts.
Replaced the switch and all OK.
Can I have my $10.00 back?
Eric
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TMANNING
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 10,900 MILES
I have replaced the motor's and switch, control panel and the drivers window and passenger window do not work
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Actually, YOU said the LEFT FRONT had broken wires. All powers and grounds go through that switch and out to the others. Without repairing those first, there is no way to diagnose the real problem, which you never got back to me with results of fixing broken wires. So the answer to your question is no.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
INTERNETMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 700 POSTS
Hope you got it fixed by now? Did you check voltage and ground before replacing anything? Yellow wire is voltage, black wire is ground. Yellow wire gets voltage from power window circuit breaker, you need to use a voltage tester on the circuit, goes hot when you turn on the key. Where the wires go into the door, there is usually a rubber boot that protects those wires, sometimes you can pull the rubber boot back far enough to test for voltage and ground at the proper wires.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
COLTS63ROX
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
Interior problem
1999 Buick Century 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

None of the windows go down. I checked the fuse and it seemed to be OK. I can hit the rear driver's side window and hear the motor run but the window doesn't go down. When I hit the other controls.I hear nothing. What should my next step be to fix this?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
INTERNETMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 700 POSTS
There should be a power window circuit breaker, right side of dash, fuse box. On any fuse or circuit breaker, you have to use a voltage tester on the circuit, even if the fuse/breaker is ok, if there is no voltage, the circuit is dead.

All window controls go through the master switch, driver side door. I'd want to check main voltage and ground for the master switch. Voltage is yellow wire, black is ground. The wires that go into the driver door, hinge side, is probably covered by a rubber boot, sometimes you can pull the boot back far enough to check the wire colors I mentioned. The yellow wire probably goes hot, when you turn on the key. If you check the c/b circuit, the key probably needs to be on for the circuit to go hot.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+4
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SLIK1213
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
1999 Buick Century 80000 miles

drivers window does not go up and down, power and switches work, cable appears to be loose
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
It sounds like your saying the motor is working. If that is the case, then you have to replace the regulator assembly. Once those cables come apart, the whole unit is scrap. Many of the regulators come woith a motor now anyway.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SLIK1213
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Motor is working but appears as though cable is not connected
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Then you need a new regulator. Just don't be surprised if it comes with a motor too.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SAWMAC
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 10,000 MILES
All power windows will not work power is at switch it just buzzes fuses are okay.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
This happens when the switch shorts out internally. Here is a guide to help you test and change out the switch

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/electric-window-repair

Here is how it is done for your car. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
THAKING21
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 89,491 MILES
My drivers side window won't go down. Im not sure if it's the window motor because when it does roll down, it still moves fast. I think its the window control panel because it's gotten wet A few times. My main question is, could it be A wiring problem because of the moisture its aacumulated?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DANAUTHIER
  • MECHANIC
  • 156 POSTS
I'm guessing, I hope correctly, from the way you worded your question that the window wlll work intermittantly. Do your other windows work properly? If your wiggle the switch does it help bring the window up or down? Does the driver's window switch (lever) feel loose or or different when activated than the other window switches on the driver's door? If you answered yes to any of these questions and my first assumtion is correct than your assumption is most likely also correct. The control or master switch is most likely the culprit. This is after all an almost 10 year old switch, the switches on the driver's door are used most often and the driver's window switch is used the most of all.
The master switch for your vehicle does not need programed, so you (dependant on your mechanical ability) can pick one up at the dealer or your local salvage yard and replace it yourself.
A wiring problem is less likely, but checking for loose or damaged wire in your door or the harness between your the body and driver's door would also be advised.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 12:36 PM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links