Issue with EM1 door window


terry_em1

Active Member
Joined
May 12, 2013
Messages
671
Car(s)
EM1 Civic
As the title reads, I have a problem with my window. I've been using my car for over a month now. Never had an issue until Monday. I put my window down, leaving the shops, on my way home. Get home and try to put my window back up. Nothing.

My passenger side still works. So does the window lock switch. Just the driver side doesn't do anything anymore. Checked my fuse, under the dash. Its fine, but I tossed it for a new one anyway.

Is there a way to bypass the switch and wire the door harness in a way so I can adjust the window? Passenger works, so if I can get that going, I'll do the same to the driver side. That way I can narrow it down to either bad switch or bad regulator. My window is stuck down, but I unbolted the glass from the regulator, so I could manually move the glass up. Want to resolve this issue fairly quick because of security reasons.

I just don't want to be throwing money at things that don't need changing. I found diagrams on Honda Tech, about how to diagnose window issues, but it didn't work for me. The diagram is for USDM EM1, but the wire colours are the same and the pins are flipped around.

Anyone can help me on this?
 
As the title reads, I have a problem with my window. I've been using my car for over a month now. Never had an issue until Monday. I put my window down, leaving the shops, on my way home. Get home and try to put my window back up. Nothing.

My passenger side still works. So does the window lock switch. Just the driver side doesn't do anything anymore. Checked my fuse, under the dash. Its fine, but I tossed it for a new one anyway.

Is there a way to bypass the switch and wire the door harness in a way so I can adjust the window? Passenger works, so if I can get that going, I'll do the same to the driver side. That way I can narrow it down to either bad switch or bad regulator. My window is stuck down, but I unbolted the glass from the regulator, so I could manually move the glass up. Want to resolve this issue fairly quick because of security reasons.

I just don't want to be throwing money at things that don't need changing. I found diagrams on Honda Tech, about how to diagnose window issues, but it didn't work for me. The diagram is for USDM EM1, but the wire colours are the same and the pins are flipped around.

Anyone can help me on this?
Have you definitely got power to the window motor on that door ? Check wiring for cracks etc (near door hinges)
 
You need to use a voltmeter or some sort of electrical power tester to see if the wires going window motor is getting power. If it is not, then you need to replace the window motor. Do you hear any sounds when you try to roll up the window with the switch? If you hear something, then the window glass might have been disconnected at the window track/rails.
 
Thanks for replying to my thread guys. What I tried so far, with a multimeter, is eliminate if the switch is faulty, but I couldn't do that. I used this instruction that I found on Honda Tech.

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I couldn't bypass the switch and get the windows to work without them.

@Michael Flare Theres no sound coming from the motor. But then again, the switch might be faulty.
 
Had to replace my motor once when it just decided to pack in, gotta be motor or switch as others say. You can open the passenger window from the drivers side switch? Then I would've thought that points to drivers motor
 
Had to replace my motor once when it just decided to pack in, gotta be motor or switch as others say. You can open the passenger window from the drivers side switch? Then I would've thought that points to drivers motor
Yeah, the door has 3 switches. Driver window, passenger window and master switch. Only the switch for driver window doesn't work. I'm going to hook a battery to the regulator harness tomorrow, and see if I can get it to work. Need to figure out which 2 of the 4 wires I need hook up to.

At least that way, I can conclude if its the switch or the motor.
 
Thanks for the feedback so far everyone.

Earlier on, I hooked a car battery to the window regulator's harness, after I disconnected it from the main door harness. Red and yellow wires for anyone wondering. Some crocodile clips to grab the pins. Placed the 2 ends on the battery terminals and away she went. Regulator is fine. Reversed the polarity and no issues. Now my window is closed all the way, after bolting it back onto the regulator. No more tape to hold up the glass!

I feel more at ease knowing I don't have to keep an eye on my car as much.

Now I've narrowed it down to the switch. Is there any way to salvage it or do I have to look for a new one? I've watched people on YouTube clean buttons and switches using isopropyl alcohol. I might try that?
 
Have you tested the switch with a multimeter to see if it does work? It could be the wiring to the switch thats buggered rather than the switch.

Either way the switch cant be too hard to find at a breakers
 
Have you tested the switch with a multimeter to see if it does work? It could be the wiring to the switch thats buggered rather than the switch.

Either way the switch cant be too hard to find at a breakers
I tried testing the wiring, following that diagram I posted earlier. No luck with results, and that goes for the passenger side too when its in fact working.

I must be doing something wrong :rolleyes:

I'd prefer not to buy a secondhand switch, as its bound to run into the same issue down the line. It is a 20 year old part after all.
 
Problem solved itself. I did the tests again and everything checked out, as far as wiring goes. Because of testing, the windows on both sides were down. I connected the switch back to the harness and closed the passenger side, which I know for certain works. Tried the driver side just for the laugh and it worked...

I'm going to assume it was the pins on the male end that had poor contact. So I cleaned them with some alcohol. Hopefully that does the trick and I don't have to take apart the switch.
 
I take it back lads :rolleyes: I put everything back on and when I went to test the switch, it doesn't work... AGAIN!

So I know the switch and regulator works. I'm now thinking theres a break in the wiring harness that I have to trace...
 
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