2002 Chevy Impala Power Windows and Mirrors Broken

Tiny
ASHLEYDOGG
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Recently my power windows and mirrors stopped working. I see that the windows are controlled by the Retained Accessory Power Breaker and the mirrors by a fuse (which seems okay). However it seems strange that they both stopped working at the same time. Is there a fuse that controls both somewhere other than in the driverside fuse box? Also the window controls throughout the entire car do not function so not just the driver controls are having this problem.
Monday, January 18th, 2010 AT 5:45 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
ERNEST CLARK
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,730 POSTS
The switch on the driver's door is the "Master" switch for the rest of the doors. If that doesn't work, none of them will.

Because your mirrors also stopped working, that's a sure indicator that the wiring that runs through that door has a break in it. These wires often become broken because of the frequent opening and closing of the door, combined with the extremes in temperature.

Not only can the break, but the insulation can chaff and allow the wires to touch each other or the frame of the car.

You'll have to peel back the rubber boot that covers these wires and locate the one that feeds power and the one that serves as the ground wire for that door.

It's best to purchase a repair manual for your vehicle. I would go with an on-line subscription from a company such as "Alldata" or "Mitchell 1". They're only $25-$30 bucks and will give you all the wiring diagrams and repair procedures you need. Also, they'll come in handy the next time you experience a problem.

If you can't locate the power and grounding wires for that door, just probe all of the wires for continuity. There aren't that many, and it'll take less than 15 minutes after you get that rubber cover off.
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Monday, January 18th, 2010 AT 9:46 PM

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