75 Power Windows, Ughhh

[Ala75Vette]

After letting this problem ride for quite some time -- non-functioning power windows -- I finally decided it was time to put the problem to bed, and fix the windows. Both windows don't work. I thought I isolated the problem to the power window relay -- if I 'hard wire' the connections for the relay, the windows work. So, I ordered a new relay from MidAmerica. Genuine GM part, the replacement being pn 07729602. Well, with new relay installed, windows still don't work. If I pull the relay and 'hard wire' the connections, windows work. This is one of those times where I wish I'd taken more EE classes in college, or at least were a bit more electrically inclined. I don't want to 'bubba' the connections & put it all together again, because soon as I do I'll only be creating more problems in the near future, and it's a major PITA tearing down the dash and console to get to that stupid relay. Mostly I want to do it 'right' but I'm having trouble figuring out exactly what that is. The breaker in the fuse block is OK (already checked it); the pink connector in the fuse block is OK (gotta have it for the whole thing to work, which I can do by hard wiring the relay connections). My two thoughts are: grounding problem (or short circuit) somewhere? or, the replacement relay isn't a 'true' replacement.... At this point I'm frustrated, a bit ill over the matter, and happy for any advice you guys may have.
Thanks in advance....

Frank

 

[vmrod]

Frank,

it sounds like a grounding problem to me. (Do you have a tester?) Is there a black wire on the relay? One of the wires on the relay should go to ground. If you take your time and look at them, you should be able to figure it out. If the ground wire is hooked up, then try to run a temporary ground wire from the relay to a grounded piece of metal. (or if not, the negative side of the battery.)

-Vic

 

[Ala75Vette]

Thanks, Vic. I do have a tester, but it's over at the mom-in-law's house, probably swing by on the way home from work & pick it up. I'll try ensuring appropriate grounding this evening, then report back....

Frank

 

[Ala75Vette]

well, no go on relay grounding. I ran a wire from the relay ground (the case is the ground) back to the negative terminal on the battery. Same result as before: no windows. I'm thoroughly convinced I have a short somewhere, but finding it is going to be tedious & frustrating, and that's being optimistic. I'll keep on pluggin' and when I do find it, I'll let you guys know here at the CAC.

Frank