Jeepwalker
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 980
- Location
- WI
Ahhhhh (big satisfying sigh)....
This has been reviewed in old posts but for new owners, I thought I'd throw this out again ....it's a frustrating problem for many that may have a simple solution. Definitely something to keep in mind if your battery goes dead and your windows don't work right, locks/fob don't work, or the alarm flashes like yer H3 is possessed. I was on a long vacation over the holidays, and during the period the battery depleted. It's not a new battery but still in decent shape ..but whatever. When we got back I had the ole problem which I haven't had raise it's ugly head in a few yrs.
What seems to happen is if the car is locked and security on ...and the battery goes dead-dead. Upon re-charging the battery the PCM and security/window/locks module don't 'talk' right to each other. Then the symptoms described above occur. One fix people discuss is disconnecting the battery cables and tie them together overnight to completely drain the PCM and other modules. This has worked for me in the past. But not this time. If that doesn't work, carefully pry up the driver's side window switch module and bring it inside overnight (if it's cold outside). Then the next day, install the switch module and re-connect the battery cables (assuming you've charged the battery up too -- or replaced an old battery). Generally that resolves the problem.
Anyway, just a reminder as this has been a major source of frustration for many owners ...and a lot of guys unnecessarily buy a new switch module. Something to lodge in the back of yer mind if it happens to you.
Also, somewhat related: if your module continually acts up, you might want to search for a write-up I did a long time ago on replacing the two capacitors on the driver's window/switch module. The capacitors can dry/fail due to years of cabin heat. I tested mine with an ESR meter and they had crapped out. I happen to have a bunch of capacitors since I dabble in electronics a bit. Ultimately I never had problems again with the switch (until this battery issue). But it's a very simple and cheap fix compared to buying a replacement module.
Cheers!
This has been reviewed in old posts but for new owners, I thought I'd throw this out again ....it's a frustrating problem for many that may have a simple solution. Definitely something to keep in mind if your battery goes dead and your windows don't work right, locks/fob don't work, or the alarm flashes like yer H3 is possessed. I was on a long vacation over the holidays, and during the period the battery depleted. It's not a new battery but still in decent shape ..but whatever. When we got back I had the ole problem which I haven't had raise it's ugly head in a few yrs.
What seems to happen is if the car is locked and security on ...and the battery goes dead-dead. Upon re-charging the battery the PCM and security/window/locks module don't 'talk' right to each other. Then the symptoms described above occur. One fix people discuss is disconnecting the battery cables and tie them together overnight to completely drain the PCM and other modules. This has worked for me in the past. But not this time. If that doesn't work, carefully pry up the driver's side window switch module and bring it inside overnight (if it's cold outside). Then the next day, install the switch module and re-connect the battery cables (assuming you've charged the battery up too -- or replaced an old battery). Generally that resolves the problem.
Anyway, just a reminder as this has been a major source of frustration for many owners ...and a lot of guys unnecessarily buy a new switch module. Something to lodge in the back of yer mind if it happens to you.
Also, somewhat related: if your module continually acts up, you might want to search for a write-up I did a long time ago on replacing the two capacitors on the driver's window/switch module. The capacitors can dry/fail due to years of cabin heat. I tested mine with an ESR meter and they had crapped out. I happen to have a bunch of capacitors since I dabble in electronics a bit. Ultimately I never had problems again with the switch (until this battery issue). But it's a very simple and cheap fix compared to buying a replacement module.
Cheers!
:thumbs: