Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
The Power Window Mechanism
The power window on the driver's side is operated via the control panel in the driver's door. The power window on the passenger side is operated either via the control panel in the passenger door or via the control panel in the driver's door.
The rear power windows can be operated via the control panel in the driver's door or via the left rear door module (LDM) or right rear door module (RDM), respectively. Power windows are operable when the ignition switch is in position I or II. They are also operable in the time period between the ignition being turned off and one of the front doors being opened.
The control panel in the driver's door has four spring-loaded switches that operate the individual windows.
The control panels in the passenger door, left rear door and right rear door each have a spring-loaded switch to operate the relevant power window.
The switches for the window lift mechanisms in all doors have five positions which control the position of the window:
0) Normal position where the function is passive.
1) step 1 upwards, raises the window for as long as the button is activated.
2) step 2 upwards, automatically fully closes the window (AUTO-UP).
-1) step 1 downwards, lowers the window for as long as the button is activated.
-2) step 2 downwards, fully opens the window automatically (AUTO-DOWN).
The window lift mechanisms have a hall sensor which measures the rotation speed of each lift mechanism, allowing the mechanisms to determine the position of the window. If a Hall sensor is not functioning in one of the window lift mechanisms, the AUTO-UP or AUTO-DOWN function for that window is not available.
In all the doors, the power window mechanism, power window motor and Hall sensor form one unit and cannot be replaced separately.
All power window lift mechanisms in the front doors have an integrated function to prevent pinching.
When AUTO UP is activated, the power window detects if it meets resistance, that is to say if too great a force must be used to close the window. The window then stops and goes down a bit. Pinch protection is active during AUTO UP if the window is open more than 3 mm (0.1 in).
A diagnostic trouble code is generated if for some reason the power window loses information on window position. The power window must then be reinitiated. This is done via a diagnostic function or manually by activating AUTO UP and keeping the switch actuated for at least 1 second after the window has reached its closed position.
The passenger door module (PDM) and driver door module (DDM) have diagnostics for the window lift mechanisms and Hall sensors in the front doors.
The window lift mechanisms and Hall sensors in the rear doors can be diagnosed via the control modules in the front doors on the relevant side of the vehicle.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.