HELP!!!! I just screwed up my power windows!

[4X4CHICHI]

I wired my radar detector to the sunroof power wire. that way when I turn on my car the radar detector automatically turns on. It has been working fine for about three months. I started my car today and the wires to the detector somehow zapped. There was smoke everywhere, so I ripped the wires away and rolled my drivers side front window down and opened my sunroof. I then turned on the vent fan to get rid of the smoke. the smoke cleared so I drove off. Later, when I decided to close the windows, they would not shut. I checked all the fuses and swapped all the relays that were the same. I'm at a loss and don't know what to do. I did manage to hot wire the sunroof with the map light power wire, so at least it is closed. any suggestions?????

[Vibration]

Oh man, that sounds really bad. I also wired my radar detector to the power in the roof, but I used the power from the overhead light. It does not turn on and off with the key, but hopefully it has a smaller fuse and the small amount of current that it draws is negligible. Being that there was a lot of smoke, it is possible that the fuse malfunctioned and allowed the wires to melt before it blew. On the other hand, I am surprised that all of your windows don't work, as they are all probably not on the same fuse as your sunroof. I guess you’re just screwed. Look at your fuse diagram and see if there is power to the fuses for the affected components. Does everything else work, interior lights, cigarette outlets?Good Luck

[Jahntassa]

See if there isn't some blown relay, too.. there might be something shorting at where you connected the wires.I took my power off the back of the rear defrost, not as conveniently placed as the moonroof (though..for me it is, since I don't have a moonroof), but no problems yet. Been running that way since last july..

[4X4CHICHI]

Well that's another oddity, everything else works great, just the power windows do not work. everything else on that fuse works.

[cdFxer]

In your panic state, ya didnt hit the safety window interlock switch did you?

[joatmon]

did you check the power window relay? It's actually on the top side of the in dash fuse block, have to remove the left dash storage bin to get to it. that's what TheDude's problem was in http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=5388

[cdFxer]

Ok, never mind about the window safety over ride switch thing. I checked my Vibe tonight and even with the switch in the drivers side functions...oops...sorry!As far as the smoke and stuff before the fuse blew-think about it for a sec. You had the wire ran from a circuit that was fused at like 10 amps? And how big was the wire that shorted? It is probable that the wire was too small to handle the 10 amp "fault current" that the 10 amp fuse was able to supply, so the wire smoked. Could of caught fire too! To give you an idea, your typical 2 conductor 18 gauge extension cord is rated at only 10 Amps! There is a good chance your wires were even smaller than 18 gauge...

[ebslopp]

Quote, originally posted by cdFxer »To give you an idea, your typical 2 conductor 18 gauge extension cord is rated at only 10 Amps! There is a good chance your wires were even smaller than 18 gauge...Even though they are rated at 10A, they should be able to handle 20A before meltdown. This is a required rating system by the government. But checking the wires is a good place to start. If there was smoke, there was alot of current. I'm guessing you probably burned a power lead to the power windows.

[joatmon]

if you lost power to both the power windows and the sunroof, then it is likely, but not guaranteed to be something common to both circuits.The sunroof schematic that toolguy uploaded at http://forums.genvibe.com/zerofile/5155/785632.gif shows that the sunroof is run through the 30A power fuse, which is then switched by the P/W relay.You said "I checked all the fuses and swapped all the relays that were the same". Did that include the 30A Power fuse and the P/W relay?Are you still driving around with the windows down?

[ebslopp]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »if you lost power to both the power windows and the sunroof, then it is likely, but not guaranteed to be something common to both circuits.The sunroof schematic that toolguy uploaded at http://forums.genvibe.com/zerofile/5155/785632.gif shows that the sunroof is run through the 30A power fuse, which is then switched by the P/W relay.You said "I checked all the fuses and swapped all the relays that were the same". Did that include the 30A Power fuse and the P/W relay?Are you still driving around with the windows down?You might want to buy yourself a multimeter for this one. You'll want to check for 12V wherever it says B+. And also check the grounds. This will eliminate a lot of the guess work. It could take several hours of just swapping components, or you could take measurements to gain a better understanding of the problem and fix it quickly.

[4X4CHICHI]

Sorry I haven't gotten back about this problem. I fixed it, It turned out to be the 30 amp female pink fuse. It has a window, but where it is located, you have to take it out to check it.I replaced the fuse, I also had to replace the window swich because I shorted it out trying to rig hot wire it. bad idea. still all is well. Now for some new rims and lowered springs. thanks for all the suggestions.