B1401

Code

Other B — Body

Driver Power Window One Touch Window Relay Circuit Short To Ground

Brand: Other

Type: B — Body

Views: UK: 52 EN: 97 RU: 64

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Page language: EN

Causes

Damaged/chafed wiring harness (often at door hinge/jamb) contacting chassis ground
Faulty one‑touch power window switch with internal short
Failed or shorted relay coil or relay socket shorted to ground
Corroded or pushed‑out connector pins creating unintended ground path
Water intrusion into switch or connector
Aftermarket alarm/lighting wiring spliced into window circuit

Symptoms

One‑touch up/down function inoperative or intermittent
Window may not respond or works only when switch held manually
Blown fuse on power window/driver circuits (recurrent)
Unusual battery drain or parasitic draw when vehicle off
Burnt smell or visible melting near relay/switch harness
Clicking of relay without expected window action

What to check

Visually inspect fuse for the power windows and replace if blown; note if it blows again immediately
Inspect driver door harness at the door jamb/hinge for chafing, pinching, or exposed conductors
Unplug the driver window switch connector and check operation; if problem clears, suspect the switch
Remove and inspect the one‑touch relay and its socket for corrosion, melted plastic, or pins shorting to chassis
With ignition on, backprobe relay control and supply terminals to measure voltages while operating the switch
Check continuity between the suspect circuit and chassis ground with connectors disconnected (should be open/infinite when circuit is off)

Signal parameters

Battery supply at relay/common power terminal: ~12 V with ignition/accessory on (11–14 V)
Control/command line to relay or switch when idle: open or near battery voltage via pull‑up (varies by design)
When command active (one‑touch), control line may be driven low or switched to ground — expected controlled pulses, not constant short to ground
Coil resistance for typical automotive relay: roughly 50–200 ohms (depends on relay); open or shorted coil indicates relay fault
Continuity from circuit to chassis ground when circuit is off: high resistance/open; short to ground indicated by near 0 Ω

Diagnostic algorithm

Safety first: key off, remove key, and disable the battery negative terminal if you will be disconnecting connectors or performing repairs that could short to ground.
Check and record symptoms and whether a fuse blows. Replace blown fuse with correct type and observe if it blows immediately when the circuit is not being commanded.
Visual inspection: examine driver door harness at hinge/jamb, switch, relay and ground points for damage, corrosion, or water ingress.
Isolate the circuit: unplug the driver window switch connector. Operate the window via relay or master switch if possible. If fault clears, suspect the switch or its wiring.
Test the relay: remove the relay and bench‑test it with known good 12 V supply and ground or swap with identical known good relay. Inspect relay socket for shorted pins to chassis ground.
Backprobe the relay control circuit with a DMM: measure voltage at control terminal with switch commanded and not commanded. Look for an unexpected near‑0 V (hard ground) at rest indicative of a short.
With connectors disconnected, measure resistance between the control wire and chassis ground. A low resistance (~0–2 Ω) indicates a direct short. Wiggle harness at door jamb to reproduce fault and locate chafing.
If switch is suspected, open the door panel and bench‑test the switch assembly. Check for internal shorts between switch terminals and ground or melted insulation.
Repair or replace the damaged wiring, connectors, switch, or relay as indicated. Use heat‑shrink, proper crimp joints, and routing to prevent re‑chafing. Reinstall and secure harness with protective conduit at hinge points.
Clear codes with a scan tool and retest the one‑touch operation over several cycles. Monitor for recurrence and verify no fuse blowing and correct voltages.