Auto Glass: 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE ELECTRIC WINDOW PROBLEM, pontiac sunfire, 2000 pontiac sunfire

Question
I HAVE A 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE 2.4 LITER TWO DOOR.IT HAS TWO BUTTON MASTER WINDOW SWITCH IN CENTER CONSOLE. WINDOW WENT DOWN AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. I TESTED VOLTAGE AT MOTOR AND FOUND CORRECT VOLTAGE (ABOUT 12 VOLTS OR SO)WHEN SWITCH IS IN DOWN POSITION BUT ONLY ABOUT 3 VOLTS OR SO AT MOTOR WHEN SWITCH IS IN UP POSITION AND POLARITY IS REVERSED. I AM ASSUMING THIS IS NOT ENOUGH VOLTS TO POWER WINDOW. THE 3 VOLTS IS STEADY AND DOES NOT CHANGE UPON TESTING IT MORE THAN ONCE. DOES THIS MEAN WINDOW SWITCH ITSELF IS BAD.OTHER WINDOW (PASSINGER SIDE) MEANWHILE WORKS FINE. I AM THINKING IT CAN'T BE FUSE OR RELAY BECAUSE OF THE OTHER SIDE WORKING. HOW TO I TEST MOTOR IF NEEDED? ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GREAT? THANKS

Answer
Hi Don,

It is very likely that the window motor is failing.  This is a common problem on this vintage of Sunfire window motor.

To be certain, disconnect the wiring at the motor and then test voltage at the motor leads while operating the window switch.  You should read 12 volts on the blue (up) wire and 12 volts on the brown (down) wire.  If voltage is good on both wires, your window motor needs to be replaced.  

Another alternative is to apply power directly to the motor using a "remote" 12 volt power source.  If you have a spare car battery handy (not a 12 volt flashlite battery) use small clips to attach a wire to each of the terminals on the motor.  Then attach the opposite ends of the wires to the battery posts.  If the motor is good, this procedure should move the window up and down when you reverse the polarity.

Let me know what you find.

Ben ... the power window guy