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Odd window behavior

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Hovik, Jul 24, 2019.

  1. Hovik

    Hovik Junior Member

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    Hello All,

    I’m just shy of 100k and recently noticed that I’ve got an issue with the power windows. It happened suddenly. When rolling down the windows each of the four goes down only so far. They are not even. For example the driver’s window only goes down 4 inches whereas the passengers goes down 1” and the passenger rear goes down 9”, and so on. Then, if you roll them up using the auto-up function (pull switch up to second position) when the glass gets all the way up it immediately lowers itself down again (almost as if it’s got something stuck in the window and lowers as a safety feature).



    I’ve searched the forums and what I’m finding is either no power/function to the windows at all, or one window not going all the way down but functioning normally otherwise. I’ve seen recommendations ranging from replacing the main (driver’s) window switch to checking continuity with a multi-meter, to checking fuses. I don’t think this is a loose wire scenario, and a fuse seems like would either be working or not working at all, not causing odd behavior like this. Before I go buying a master window switch and tearing the door apart, I was wondering if anyone has experience this strange issue and what ended up working for them. Thanks in advance!
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    was the 12v disconnected? try holding the switches at each window all the way down, and all the way up
     
  3. Hovik

    Hovik Junior Member

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    The 12v battery is weak and due for replacement just as soon as I can save up the small fortune it costs to do so. As long as my kids don't leave the interior light on overnight the 12v works just fine. Unfortunately that has happened 4-5 times this year and the 12v was low enough that the car would show signs of life but there was not sufficient juice to crank the motor over. That said, I've holding the switches down and then pulling up to no avail.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    do the other 3 windows do the same thing from their individual switches as from the drivers door switches?
     
  5. Hovik

    Hovik Junior Member

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    Yes they do the same at the individual switches.
     
  6. ice9

    ice9 Active Member

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    Did all four window stop working (or stop half-working) all at the same time? Or did they stop working one by one.

    Also, you might want to check the window lock switch and verify that it still works.
     
    #6 ice9, Jul 27, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2019
  7. ice9

    ice9 Active Member

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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if this is a no 12v reset, i'll be amazed, given the symptoms, but it's worth a try
     
  9. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    Can't do much to resolve this until the 12V battery is replaced. There will be all sorts of electrical funny business when your 12V battery is weak. One question, and a clarification. You said the windows when rolled all the way up using the auto up feature will roll back down a little. Is this a "powered" downward window movement, in other words can you hear the power window motor running? And, to clarify, the expensive little 12V battery is only used to maintain volatile ECU settings (radio presets, trip odometer, etc.) and boot the computers when you press the Power (start) button. Engine start is accomplished with MG1 powered by the hybrid battery.
     
    #9 AzWxGuy, Jul 28, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2019
  10. Hovik

    Hovik Junior Member

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    This is resolved thanks to the link sent. One missing piece is that the windows must be unlocked when pulling up for 10 seconds or it won't reset. Thanks to all and here are responses to your questions for the next victim.

    All at the same time.
    It did still function even with the error.

    That solved it. Thanks!!!

    You were on the money. Important to clarify is that this error happened in my case not with a 12v disconnect at all but with a weak 12v still capable of powering lights and radio but not HVAC or enough power to start engine.

    Well that's not exactly correct because it's resolved as we speak and the car will work fine as long as my kids don't leave interior lights on. Battery might go caput in a month or year or two years but we're back to normal window (and other) operations in the interim.
    To answer your question the windows would reach the upper limit and then go down (as far as the error would allow) automatically, powered.
    Thanks for the info but if the 12v cant power the computers apparently the signal never gets sent to the hybrid battery to start the engine. This design is unfortunate because if the 12v could send the start signal with very low power to the hybrid battery starting the engine could them recharge the 12v.

    Again, thanks for the help folks. Saved me $500 at the dealership.
     
    #10 Hovik, Jul 28, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2019
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    be careful, my 12v went kaput the other day, leaving me stranded. i had to call aaa. it had given me no indication that it was weak in any way before that.

    i had to reset the windows, but their behavior was nothing like yours.