| Window & Door-Lock Upgrade -- Wiring, Part 1 |
From "Weekend Mechanic"
episode WKM-108 |
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Window & Door-Lock Upgrade -- Wiring, Part 1 With the power-window and power door-lock assemblies installed, the next phase of this upgrade project is the installation of the wiring for these new power features. Important: Included below are the steps in this automotive procedure as shown in the episode. These steps are general guidelines that are applicable to most vehicles. With any particular vehicle, there may be procedures, specifications, settings, tolerances, components, etc. that are specific to that vehicle. There will also be variations among different various after-market kits. Always consult your vehicle's service manual when undertaking significant automotive repairs. Follow the procedures, diagrams and safety precautions that come with the kit you select.
- The kit used in our demonstration came with all of the wiring necessary to complete the job, including wiring harnesses for three separate systems:
Power door-lock (figure A);
Power windows (figure B);
Keyless entry (figure C).
- The wiring harnesses for the power locks and windows both need to be run from the driver-side door, underneath the dash, and to the passenger-side door. To access the areas for installing the wire harnesses, several interior parts need to be removed.
- Begin by removing the trim-plate on the rocker panel.
- With that plate out of the way, remove the necessary fasteners and remove the kick-plate under the dash, next to the floor pedals (figure D).
- Next, unfasten and remove the plastic panel beneath the steering column.
- With the plastic steering-column panel removed, unbolt and remove the metal plate underneath (figure E).
- With the metal plate removed, disconnect the emergency-brake bracket, move the emergency-brake pedal to the side, and remove the covering of the side panel beneath the kick-plate (figure F).
- If your vehicle has front-mounted speakers, you may need to remove these as well. Removing the speakers will provide you with additional access.
- Pry loose the ends of the rubber boot that runs between the door and the body of the vehicle (figure G). The wiring runs through this rubber boot, which functions as a flex-joint and prevents the wires from chafing or shorting against the metal when the door opens and closes. (If your vehicle does not already have one of these rubber boots, you may need to drill holes in the door and body, and install one.)
- With the rubber boot in place, the wiring harnesses can be pulled into place. To make installation easier, tape the ends of the harness with electrician's tape (figure H), and run the end of the harness through the body where the top of the boot connects.
- Run a short piece of sturdy wire through the boot, and attach it to the end of the harness with tape. Now you can easily pull the end of the wiring harness through the boot, using the wire as an assist.
- Continue feeding -- or "fishing" -- the wiring harness through the door (figure I) until you reach the wiring connected to the power lock assembly. Make sure that the wiring harness is out of the path of moving window or lock mechanisms.
- Un-tape the end of the harness, and connect it to the lock assembly wires (figure J).
- Pull the other end of the harness beneath the dash, and follow the same procedures on the other side so that the passenger-side wiring can be installed as well.
- With the wiring harness run the width of the vehicle, the wiring connections can be completed (figure K).
- Follow the color-coding of the wires and the wiring diagram that comes with the kit to connect the wires to the plug (figure L).
On our kit, most of the wires simply snapped in place into the plug. The last two wires are fastened with a solder connection. The wires are soldered to terminals, and the terminals snap into the plug.
In the segment that follows, the solder connections are made, and the wiring is completed.
Safety Alert: To avoid electrical shock or equipment damage, disconnect the vehicle's negative battery cable before beginning any electrical work on the vehicle.
RESOURCES :
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Trouble-Free Car Care
Author: Dan Ramsey
ISBN: 0028635833
Alpha Books
Auto Repair for Dummies
Author: Deanna Sclar
ISBN: 0764550896
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