With some VE Commodore models now reaching the 5 year old mark, we are beginning to see a common problem regarding the power window switch gear, and auto up / down modules fitted to these models.
A common problem for the power window switch gear is for the front window switches to slowly wear, and intermittently fail to operate.
Eventually, the power window switch will cease to operate entirely, preventing the front power windows from winding up and down.
This document describes how to diagnose if the power window switch, automatic window up/down modules, or wiring is causing one or more power windows to cease functioning.
The following procedure will bypass the power window switch gear, proving or eliminating the switch gear to be a contributing cause of power window failure.
Removing the Power Window Switch Gear
In order to determine if the power window switch gear is faulty, first you will need to disconnect and remove the switch gear from the vehicle.
1) Gently pry the automatic gear shift surround upwards away from the center console plastic trim.
Testing for a Power Window Switch Problem.
Once the power window switch gear has been removed from the vehicle, you can simulate the power window switches by shorting out the following pins on the power window switch connector.
Shorting the Dark Green Wire to the Light Blue wire
This simulates pressing the UP Button on the RHS Front Power Window Button.
If the Power Window moves upwards when these lines are shorted, then the vehicles wiring loom, and automatic window up/down module is functioning correctly.
Shorting the Dark Green Wire to the Green wire with Black Stripe
This simulates pressing the DOWN Button on the RHS Front Power Window Button.
If the Power Window moves upwards when these lines are shorted, then the vehicles wiring loom, and automatic window up/down module is functioning correctly.
Shorting the Dark Green Wire to the Brown Wire
This simulates pressing the UP Button on the LHS Front Power Window Button.
If the Power Window moves upwards when these lines are shorted, then the vehicles wiring loom, and automatic window up/down module is functioning correctly.
Shorting the Dark Green Wire to the Grey Wire with Blue Stripe
This simulates pressing the DOWN Button on the LHS Front Power Window Button.
If the Power Window moves upwards when these lines are shorted, then the vehicles wiring loom, and automatic window up/down module is functioning correctly.
If one or more power window functions fail using the power window switch gear, but are successful when conducting the above tests, then you will need to replace the power window switch gear.
This costs roughly $170 for the 4 window variant.
One one or more of the above tests fail, then it is possible that the vehicle wiring, or the automatic window up/down module may be faulty.