Lock/window electrical gremlin

[Roadieschuler]

The other night I accidentally left my passenger window open a bit and it rained all night on my 03 4.4. The next day the window and locks worked fine, but later in the afternoon all of the windows and door locks started to act weird. The rear doors and hatch lock and unlock fine with the key button and console button. The front doors don't open or close with it. I have to manually do the drivers door lock with the key to lock/unlock it. I pushed the passenger lock down by hand and now can't unlock the door. Even tried pulling the handle twice, it won't open. The Windows stopped working all together, but occasionally the driver's window will go up and down, but it's very sporadic. I checked all of the fuses pertaining to locks and Windows, (20, 24, 60,) and they are all tested good. Anyone have any guesses? I'd love to avoid the dealer if I can.
Thanx,
Nick

[David.X5]

The window switch units don't like getting wet. They are pretty complicated digital things. The original ones didn't have a weep hole for rain to drain out. I'd start by disconnecting the switch that got wet and see if the others work that way. Guess it's possible that rain on the passenger switch burned out / shorted out the main window switch unit (drivers side).

[Roadieschuler]

Originally Posted by David.X5

The window switch units don't like getting wet. They are pretty complicated digital things. The original ones didn't have a weep hole for rain to drain out. I'd start by disconnecting the switch that got wet and see if the others work that way. Guess it's possible that rain on the passenger switch burned out / shorted out the main window switch unit (drivers side).

Thanx David, would that also affect the door locks, or would there most likely be a separate issue?

[David.X5]

Lock wiring is separate. Hmmm.

Don't know how a window malfunction would effect the locking. Perhaps through The GM module see this repair service if it sounds like your trouble https://www.bmwgm5.com/GM3_Info.htm

[Roadieschuler]

Originally Posted by David.X5

Lock wiring is separate. Hmmm.

Don't know how a window malfunction would effect the locking. Perhaps through The GM module see this repair service if it sounds like your trouble https://www.bmwgm5.com/GM3_Info.htm

I've had a few dealings with scott at bmwgm5, and he has been amazingly helpful with broken keys and lock cylinders! This doesn't look like a General Module issue. My driver's door lock is working with the key fob again, but I still can't get the passenger door to unlock. Is there anyway to manually do it? pulling the door handle several times has no effect. Is the window switch removable without pulling the door card? I won't be able to pull the door card without being able to open the door. I'm working on sourcing a window switch for the passenger side, and maybe the drivers side.

[David.X5]

Yes, the window switch just lifts up and out (the main one for the driver as well as the smaller switches for the other positions). Then you can disconnect the wiring on the back. You can use a credit card or plastic pry tool if you can't get a good grip, but they usually are not hard to move.

[oldskewel]

This might help ...

Just yesterday, my right front window would not roll up. So I took the door panel off to confirm that it was yet another regulator clip failure (the pot metal piece that connects the regulator cable to the window). I noticed that the vapor barrier, etc. was completely intact, and it looks like this was the first time the door panel had been off in 174+k miles.

Anyway, I have ordered new regulator clips and window clips, etc. to fix everything. But I buttoned it all back up so the car is closer to 100% while waiting for parts.

In doing that, I did not reinstall the window switch. I figured I'd leave the window fully up and did not want someone to lower it and not be able to raise it.

Guess what - in addition to that window not working, the rear windows don't work (either from the driver's seat or at each window), the right front door lock no longer works via remote, and who knows what else does not work (it did not really matter, so I did not fully check).

So the message is that yes, a problem just with the right front window switch module alone can cause multiple other loosely related problems throughout your truck. So if you know there is a problem with the switch, but have other problems, it could be that the switch is your only problem.

[David.X5]

Wow. Good lesson to hear about. Guess the digital door/window electronics are that flaky.