I have a 98 F150 XLT supercab. Both drivers and pass windows quit working about two weeks ago. They started working again two days ago and now today have shut down again. I have read and tried most of the tests people have suggested here but still no workie. I only get a click from a relay in the fuse box. Anybody got a solution?

 

I am having just about the same problem with my 1999 F150, except only my driver side window has quit working. This problem started some weeks ago (probably 2-3 months). I hear the same relay clicks as the OP. Fortunately it is stuck up (rather than down), but I would sure like to get it working again. All the other controls (the door locks, mirror adjustment, passenger window) work fine.

This morning I pulled the door panel off to have a look. I checked the voltages going to the motor assembly, they seem okay on both the up and down lines. Therefore, I might presume that the motor is bad. However, I am somewhat encouraged by the OP saying that his started working again for a brief time.

When I try to go up (again, the window is already up), I hear a click from the motor (sounds like a relay click) - I could not hear this click prior to removing the door panel. When I try to go down, I hear a relay click from the fuse box area (just as mentioned by the OP).

Are there any known issues with these window motors, or switches, relays, etc? Any help would sure be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ron

 

Check and see if your windshield washers work. If not, your GEM module is bad and needs to be replaced

 

I meant windshield wipers not washers. Also the cab light won't be working.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, nothing else seems to be malfunctioning, only the left window. Washers, wipers, and cab light all work fine. But I am glad to also know something about the GEM.

I also just stumbled across another post (to which I replied to the poster) which seems to indicate that a bad switch may be causing this problem. Do you happen to know anything about switches going bad on these trucks? In searching around, this problem of malfunctioning power windows seems to be a fairly common problem on 1997-2000 model Ford trucks.

 

An update on my situation. I did some more checking, applying power directly to the motor using a cigarette lighter cord that I have. No matter how I polarized the motor, it wouldn't budge. Although there is definitely continuity in the motor, it acts like it's locked. Therefore, I have concluded that either the motor assembly itself is bad, or the window mechanism is jammed (I should note the tracks are all well-greased, and I can't tell that any particular part of it is in a bind). I won't be able to tell for sure until I drop the motor, and I'm not going to do that until I have another ready to go - as without the motor I am sure the window will want to drop (unless someone has a good idea for keeping the window in the up position while the motor is removed).

Two parts stores (Auto Zone and Advanced) each want ~$84 and 3-4 days to get a new window motor.

I am now doubting that my situation is the same as booker (although the symptoms are similar), as his problem involved both windows, and both of his windows have the problem at the same time. From reading other threads, I think it's possible that booker's problem may be a switch and/or fuse connection problem (perhaps pbjames1 was actually addressing booker, and not me, with the GEM suggestion?).

 

Here is my situation. I tested power to the motor at the plug connection behind the door panel with no results so I'm thinking bad switch? I still have wipers and lights and everything I could ever want so, probably not the gem. I also read that the passenger side is grounded through the drivers side switch making that another reason for suspect. I think I will check that one next.

 

The driver side switch on the 97-03 models is notorious for shorting out, which explains why it works only sometimes. The switches burn up easily and spark, you just can't see it. I took mine apart and pressed the pieces with a screwdriver and it was sparking pretty badly, only worked going up sometimes, going down is perfectly fine.

I've talked with 5 other people that have had this same problem, the switch is $91 at my dealer. I would bet my right arm it's your problem too. There is a thread talking about this right now on www.FordF150.net

 

98-f150-xlt-supercab
i have the same problem with the drivers side window
stuck up and hearing a click noise in the fuse box
evrything else works fine
im sure one of you guys has solved this mystery by now
so please enlighten me on wheather i should drop a bill
on a motor or a switch