Testing The Right Power Window Switch (1995-1999 Chevy/GMC Pick Up)

TEST 2: Testing The Right Window Switch's Power Output

Testing The Right Window Switch's Power Output. Testing The Right Side Power Window Switch (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 Chevy/GMC Pick Up And SUV)

Now that you've made sure that the right power window switch is being fed power and Ground, in this test section we're gonna' test its output.

What we're gonna' do is make sure that it's sending power to the correct wire when we hold the switch in its UP or DOWN position.

To be a bit more specific: when you hold the switch in its UP position, the DK BLU wire (labeled G in the photo above) becomes the Power circuit and the BRN wire (labeled K) becomes the Ground circuit.

When you hold the switch in its DOWN position, the DK BLU wire (labeled G) becomes the Ground circuit and the BRN wire (labeled K) becomes the Power circuit.

These are the test steps:

  1. 1

    Reconnect the right side power window switch to its connector.

  2. 2

    Turn the key to the RUN position but don't crank or start the engine.

  3. 3

    Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.

  4. 4

    Testing the UP position output.

    Connect the red multimeter test lead to the DK BLU wire and Ground the black multimeter test lead.

    Hold the power window switch in its UP position.

    The multimeter should register battery power (10 to 12 Volts DC).

  5. 5

    Testing the DOWN position output.

    Connect the red multimeter test lead to the BRN wire and Ground the black multimeter test lead.

    Hold the power window switch in its DOWN position.

    The multimeter should register battery power (10 to 12 Volts DC).

Let's examine your test results:

CASE 1: The multimeter registered battery power in the indicated wires when the power window switch was held in its UP or DOWN position. This is the correct and expected test result.

So far so good. The next step is to make sure that the power window switch is providing Ground to the correct wires when it's held in its UP or DOWN position. For this test go to: TEST 3: Testing The Right Window Switch's Ground Output.

CASE 2: The multimeter DID NOT register battery power in the indicated terminals. This test result tells you that the power window switch is defective.

TEST 3: Testing The Right Window Switch's Ground Output

Testing The Right Window Switch's Ground Output. Testing The Right Side Power Window Switch (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 Chevy/GMC Pick Up And SUV)

In this test section, we're gonna' make sure that the right window switch is sending Ground to the correct wire when we hold the switch in its UP or DOWN position.

To be a bit more specific: when you hold the switch in its UP position, the DK BLU wire (labeled G in the photo above) becomes the Ground circuit and the BRN wire (labeled K) becomes the power circuit.

When you hold the switch in its DOWN position, the DK BLU wire (labeled G) becomes the Power circuit and the BRN wire (labeled K) becomes the Ground circuit.

This test is very similar to the previous one and we'll be using a multimeter to test for Ground.

These are the test steps:

  1. 1

    Reconnect the right side power window switch to its connector (if it's unplugged).

  2. 2

    Turn the key to the RUN position but don't crank or start the engine.

  3. 3

    Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.

  4. 4

    Testing Ground output in the UP position.

    Connect the black multimeter test lead to the DK BLU wire and connect the red multimeter test lead to the battery positive (+) terminal.

    The multimeter should register 10 to 12 Volts DC as soon as you probe the DK BLU wire (and switch NOT activated).

    The multimeter should also register 10 to 12 Volts when you hold the switch in its UP position.

  5. 5

    Testing Ground output in the DOWN position.

    Connect the black multimeter test lead to the BRN wire and connect the red multimeter test lead to the battery positive (+) terminal.

    The multimeter should register 10 to 12 Volts DC as soon as you probe the BRN wire (and switch NOT activated).

    The multimeter should also register 10 to 12 Volts when you hold the switch in its UP position.

Let's examine your test results:

CASE 1: The multimeter registered 10 to 12 Volts DC in the indicated wires. This is the correct and expected test result.

Now, since the switch is functioning correctly, if the window is not rolling up or down, then you can conclude that the right power window motor is defective. Replace the window motor.

CASE 2: The multimeter DID NOT register 10 to 12 Volts DC in the indicated terminals. This test result tells you that the power window switch is defective.

Chevrolet Vehicles:

  • Pick Up C1500, C2500, C3500
    • 1996, 1997, 1998
  • Pick Up K1500, K2500, K3500
    • 1996, 1997, 1998
  • Suburban C1500, C2500
    • 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
  • Suburban K1500, K2500
    • 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999

Chevrolet Vehicles:

  • Tahoe
    • 1998, 1999, 2000

GMC Vehicles:

  • Pick Up C1500, C2500, C3500
    • 1996, 1997, 1998

GMC Vehicles:

  • Pick Up K1500, K2500, K3500
    • 1996, 1997, 1998
  • Suburban C1500, C2500
    • 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
  • Suburban K1500, K2500
    • 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
  • Yukon 5.7L
    • 1998