When using the auto-down feature on the drivers power window when the window is all the way down the relay clicks and the lights dim. This will also happen if I don't use the auto down,if the window goes down the whole way. The relay does not click nor the lights dim when putting the window up. The passenger side window does not make this noise or dim the lights. Any thoughts? Bad relay?

 

There is definately something wrong here. The OTD widow has both a relay and a GEM (Generic Electronic Module) to control it. I would suggest that the relay is fine when you consider that the OTD does still work. You may like to look at the GEM. The GEM's function is to sense when the widow has reached its fully open position and then turn off power. Sounds like this is not happening.

I don't know exactly where the GEM is located but I beleive it's is the Fuse Panel behind the driverside kick panel. May just have a bad connection there too.

If this works,pls let me know, SigShooter.

-Adam

 

Thanks for the reply,but what does the GEM look like? Also what do you mean by OTD?

 

Maybe I should have been more clear, the lights dim and the relay clicks only for a few seconds. Do you think it would still be the GEM?

 

SigShooter,

OTD is the "One Touch Down" feature of the driver's side power window.

The lights are dimming because the computer does not realize the window is all the way down. It's telling the motor to work harder to open your window and this is creating an excessive draw on your battery.

I was thinking that it was the GEM because in my experience, when relays fail the tend to fail completely all at once and either stick on or off. If it clicks, it should be working.

The GEM is the connection between the fuse panel and the PCM. I had ruled out a blown fuse (position #15) because the window does actually go down and this wouldn't happen if the fuse were blown.

I didn't think it was a problem with the switch itself sticking but it certainly could be. The switch is very easily accessible. You can simply pull up on armrest panel on the driver's side door that it's mounted on and make sure the wires have a solid connection. Does the button stick???

If you rule out a faulty switch you'll want to move onto the relay connections (they may be corroded or not fully connected) or the connection to the GEM. The GEM is plugged into the back of the fuse panel. The terminal for the OTD is terminal #9 in the upper left hand corner if you are looking at the GEM horizontally.

(The information here comes from the Ford Electrical and Vacuum Trouble Shooting Manual. There is no description of the GEM in the Haynes or Chilton's manuals).

 

I would have to say that the motor inside the door may be causing this,

If it's dimming during normal use and not just the with OTD, the motor is causing to much resistance, and inturn drawing way too many amps.

There are also capacitors inline inside the motor that may or may have not failed.

If your vehicle is under warranty, the FORD dealer would simply replace the motor, only because the lights are dimming while the motor is in use, not when the switch is being depressed.
A relay is simple a contact switching device, will not draw current, certainly not cause you lights to dim, if failed, as stated before, the relay would fail in a open or closed circuit position.

The reason why I think its the motor is: to operate the motor in the up position in your door it must see 12volts postive, and on the other of the two wires it must see a 12volts negative.

However when operating the window in the down position, you simply reverse the polarity in the wires, thus causing the motor to operate in reverse.

I have installed alot of different power window control modules, where the alarms have the remote ability to control the windows, and have seen this happen before where the motor is causing more resistance, with the power window control modules they also have their own OTD features as well as OTU.

At any rate I hope you solve your problem with the least amount of $$$$ out of your pocket. GOOD LUCK>

 

The lights are not dimming when the window is going down. They dim when the window reaches the end of it's travel and the relay clicks and the idle drops. The window seems to go up and down like always. I have had power window motors go bad in other vehicles and the window always went up and down very slow before they crapped out. I looked for the GEM not quite sure if I know what it is.There is something behind the fuse panel. It looks like two big modules of some kind, is that it?