The electrical circuit for the power windows on a Kia Rio starts with the fuse. The fuse for the power windows is located in a fuse box under the dash on the driver's side. The power runs from the fuse to the driver's door master switch. The master switch is also an automatic down switch for the driver's window. From the master switch, the circuit travels to the other doors. The window motors change direction of rotation by the switches reversing the polarity on the motors.
Turn the key to the run position but do not start the engine. Operate the window switch for the particular window in question. Listen for the motor to operate. If you can hear the motor operating with no reaction in the window, the window regulator needs to be replaced. If you can not hear the motor and the malfunctioning window is other than the driver's window, try to operate the window from the master switch. If you still can not hear the motor, examine the rest of the circuit.
Check the power window fuse in the fuse block under the driver's side dash. Replace the fuse if it's blown and retest.
Pry the driver's door master window switch out of the door using a screwdriver inserted under the rear of the switch. Turn the ignition key to the run position. Use the voltmeter to check the terminals on the window switch.
Connect the voltmeter's black lead to a good ground. Probe the terminals using the meter's red lead. Look at the switch and determine which button controls the failed window. Check for power to the switch for this window. Hold the probe in each of the three wire terminals and operate button while watching for an indication of power on the voltmeter. There should be momentary power on each of the terminals as the button is manipulated. This means the switch is working and power is flowing to the window motor. If this is the case, the motor is bad. If there is no evidence of power on any of the terminals as the button is operated, the switch is bad.
