Expert: Rob Painter - 5/23/2011

Question
QUESTION: i
installed a new/used fuse box in rear back seat a few month ago
and none of my door lock/windows will go up or down the drivers side window works only the power seats dont work either i pulled one of the window motor and had it tested and and it worked
so what can be the problem is it the bcm/body chassis module and if os where can i find it

ANSWER: Hello,

First of all, why did you change this fuse box? To fix the problems you have now of for something else?

All too often, just like in your case, its like you working backwards. I don't enjoy pulling apart a door to remove a window motor to test it on a guess.

When did these problems occur? At the same time or over time? Did you buy the car this way?

Why do you think it is a BCM problem? Is this another guess?

The very first thing you have to do is spend $30. Don't worry, I don't make a dime on it, but it is what I do when trying to trouble shoot problems. You can get the factory service manual and download it for a year at http://www.alldata.com.

Maybe you have more time and money than me, but I don't screw with any electrical without a manual, I wonder if you would have obtained this manual if you would have had to change the fuse box as well. That is not a normal operation. Changing un-needed parts will cause one to stick more money in the car than its worth and worse yet, not fix the problem either, in fact you might create more.

Lots of people rely on their buddy's opinion or a shade tree mechanic, or they go on the macho thing wandering aimlessly and not getting anywhere. When I was actively working as a technician, I found the problem the first time and had no comebacks. This is because I relied on a factory service manual. Not the Haynes, Motor, Chilton which in my opinion are not much!
The manual has the diagnostics and in many cases, you don't need special tools. Just the ability to read.

Let me know what you find.

http://www.autotheftexpert.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: rob
see i brought my car last year with no eletrical problem
that is until i i must say i drove it through a flooded road and it got flooded out in the rear back seat area you know where they put my fuse box
so it shorted out / burned so i brought a used fuse box and installed it myself and it was working ok for a few months and just like that one by one my window on the passangerside stoped working and then it was the back window and os on my driverside window/door lock is that is working
not to say the seats dont work either

thats what happened
i will do as you siad about the manual down load but what tools will i need?

jimmie

Answer
Hello,

Not that fact that it was in a flood is very important!!! People don't understand flood cars and they are very challenging!!!

We were experts on repairing them for the insurance companies.
We totaled if water was above the seats.

Idiots at the dealers would leave the doors open and put bounce dryer sheets in. Can you imagine the bacteria and kids?

You can have module issues from not water, but moisture. You need the manual without a doubt just to figure out what modules may have been affected. You may end up pulling the seats and carpet to see what is under there. All electric connections need to be cleaned and put together with die electric grease.

If the carpet got wet, the jute underlayment stinks and has to be replaced. Never dries, will cause the floor to rust, will cause moisture to any modules and connectors. I have seen destroyed air bag modules mounted under the carpet, power seat modules.

I can only offer limited assistance because I am not at the car.

You need to look for a water line on the trim panels, kick panels and figure out just how much water was in the trunk too.

start pulling the trunk and inside apart, wherever there was water, you need to go over the car.

http://www.autotheftexpert.com