Always on Windows
Electric Windows on cars have always annoyed me because the key must be in the ignition and turned on to work the windows. I often start to get out of the car and realize that the passenger window is down which means the key has to be put back in and turned to raise the window. I guess the Manufactures reason is security, i.e. a coat hanger could be used to push/pull the switch and thus gain entry to the car if the switches are always hot.
What You'll Need:
This "Fix" is quick, about 30 minutes max, requires only six inches of number 12 wire, two female and one male connector note they are fully insulated connectors, and 2 to 3 inches of friction tape. Tools: Philips #2 Screwdriver, Wire Cutter, X-ACTO knife, and a Soldering iron.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
This image is of the fuse panel, cover removed inside left of car. The fuse cover is removed by pulling out on the back of the panel cover, the rounded end toward rear of car, exposing the fuse panel.
*PLEASE NOTE that the image was taken after the "Mod" was done, also the two red wires are for a Radar Detector and a Scanner and are not part of the "Window" mod.
Access to the rear of the Fuse Panel is gained by removing the two screws on the left of the Panel.
The Panel can then be rotated out to look like the image.
The wire that powers the windows is BLACK with an ORANGE TRACER.
Cut this wire and put a FEMALE connector on the feed end, the top one in the image away from the circuit breaker, and the MALE connector on the end that connects to the circuit breaker.
The Female connector is used because this makes the "Mod" easily reversed.
Or you could just tape up the end not connected to the circuit breaker, remember it is hot when the Ignition is on.
The next step is to find a always hot wire. The power on the battery side of the Ignition switch that feeds the windows is RED with WHITE TRACER and as sometimes happens is also on the Fuse Block. So the mod will just bypass the Ignition Switch.
About 1 to 2 inches from the Fuse Block very carefully remove, with a Z-ACTO knife or whatever, about 1/4 inch of insulation from the RED with WHITE TRACER wire as in the image. Be careful not to cut or nick the wire.
*PLEASE NOTE: The RED with WHITE TRACER wire is HOT. Connected directly to the Battery thru Fuse #3, a 40a fuse, on the Power Distribution Center, under the hood.
Install on one end of the 6" #12 wire the other FEMALE connector and strip about 3/4" of insulation from the other end.
Rap the bare wire around the stripped portion of the RED with WHITE TRACER wire and solder.
If twisted tightly you may be able to get away without soldering, however soldering is preferred and more reliable.
I like to Use Friction Tape, the black sticky cloth kind, because it dose not shrink, leave residue behind and is resistant to abrasion unlike the plastic kind.
Wrap the tape on the exposed wire.
Connect the MALE connector to the "Always hot wire." Reinstall the Fuse Block, replace the cover and you are done.
