Window motor turning in one way

STEVE JONES2

MEMBER
2006 DODGE STRATUS
2.3L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
145,000 MILES

The passenger window in my car was not working, so I took off the door panel and removed the window regulator. Using a test light, with the ignition on, I verified power to the switch. I verified power going out of the switch for the two wires going to the motor. These were purple and brown.

Next, I verified power at the plug for the motor. If I put the test light on one terminal and pull the switch, I get a light. If I push it, nothing. Changing to the other terminal shows a light on push, nothing on pull. That seems like what I would expect.

Next, I plug in a new motor by itself. If I move the switch one way, the motor engages. Great. If I move the switch the other way, nothing.

Just for giggles, I tried the old motor. Same thing.

Am I missing something here? The plug for the motor just has two wires. Is one supposed to complete the circuit while the other shows power? Or is there something I should expect differently?

5 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

This is incredible. We laughed at how things always came in pairs at the dealership. No strut jobs for weeks, then two in the same day. No broken wires in the door hinges, then two the same day. No problems with power windows for many months, then two only minutes apart.

It sounds like the tests you already did would indicate good wiring and good switches, but you or I missed something in the tests. Rather than retype my novel, go to this link, then see if my description makes sense. If that dandy story does not help you solve this, reply back here and we will continue together.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/front-pass-door-wiring

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Saturday, April 28th, 2018 AT 8:33 PM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

When you were testing for twelve volts at a terminal in the connector for the motor, did you have the motor unplugged? I suspect you did. The other circuit is supposed to be grounded through the other switches, but the wires to get there run through the door hinges and are prone to breaking. You will have zero volts there when the other terminal has twelve volts, but if you leave the motor plugged in, then apply twelve volts to one wire, you will find that twelve volts on the other wire, (instead of the expected zero volts), because the ground circuit has a break in it. You are seeing the twelve volts coming through the motor.

To say that a better way, If you press the switch one way, then find twelve volts on both motor wires at the same time when the motor is plugged in, you are missing the ground circuit, most commonly due to a broken wire, but possibly from a bad switch, (either one).

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Saturday, April 28th, 2018 AT 8:40 PM

STEVE JONES2

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks for this. I am going to try a new switch as that seems like the easiest thing to do to start. If that does not fix it, I will go through the other link and see what I can find.

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Monday, April 30th, 2018 AT 7:32 AM