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2001 Lexus ES300 power windows spontaneously opening
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wendyw
New User
Sep 30, 2008, 5:18 PM
Post #1 of 6
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2001 Lexus ES300 power windows spontaneously opening
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Help! My 2001 ES300 has a peculiar problem. My moon roof and front power windows open when car is off. This has happened five times in three days. Unfortunately, one time it rained into my car because it was at night and I was sleeping. The manual way of opening all windows and moon roof and closing again works perfectly fine at this point. I was told it could be the BCM which is supposed to be located in the steering column and is connected to the digital odometer. But I did not see this in my repair mnual. I do not see any BCM located for the power windows. Everything I have been told or read at this point other than the mechanic who cannot repair this, says that the motor, relays, fuses, regulators, etc... are only bad if the windows are stuck or not actually operating. But they are. (Sometimes spontaneously.) Not a good thing if you work in the city where cars are stolen easy enough. Two other things, my lighter is not putting out much juice and the door lock where I can close/open the windows and moon roof together is not allowing this to happen but does unlock the doors so I think that's where the problem lies. AM I on the right track or is it a BCM not in my book???
Thank you
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DrElectrics
Enthusiast
Sep 30, 2008, 7:54 PM
Post #2 of 6
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Re: 2001 Lexus ES300 power windows spontaneously opening
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The BCM or Body Control Module is a computer that does indeed control most of everything that goes on in your car. Alarm system, power windows, interior lighting etc. I cannot see the car so I will not rule it out all together, but I doubt it will be the BCM. It sounds to me like there is contact in the wiring somewhere that controls your windows and sunroof. Maybe the earth wire has come away and you have no grounding, and the short is activating your windows. Now, from what you have written, the other problem maybe you lighter wires splicing into the control wires for windows. You say it is still functioning, but at a low level of power. This one will not be DIY, you will have to take your car in and get them to do a continuity test on your wiring, this will allow them to find fault in the wiring if there is any. Far cry from replacing the BCM which could get expensive.
Lemme know
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DanD
Veteran
/ Moderator
Oct 1, 2008, 3:45 AM
Post #3 of 6
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Re: 2001 Lexus ES300 power windows spontaneously opening
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I just had a read through the principles of operation for the power windows and sunroof and found that the driver’s side key door lock cylinder has a switch attached to it that can open/close all windows; it also can open/close the sunroof from the outside of the vehicle.
With this switch being common to both windows & sunroof, I would suspect it might be at fault?
Plus it’s not in the most environmentally friendly of places; where moisture can get to it. It may have an intermittent short; sending a false signal to the BCM, causing the windows to open.
A couple of things to try would be, to play with the door lock and see if you can make the windows open by jiggling the key in the lock?
Or you could try and disconnect the switch and then wait and see if the windows stop opening on their own? You will have to remove the driver door panel trim to get to it; once there, you may even see that the switch is physically broken?
Just a guess on my part here but like I said this door lock switch is common to both windows & sunroof?
Dan.
To add.
By looking at a wiring diagram I guess both front doors have a switch; not sure if both switches operate in the same way or not; (Not mentioned in the P of O) so you may have too play/disconnect both during this trial & error test?
Dan.
Canadian "EH"
(This post was edited by DanD on Oct 1, 2008, 3:57 AM)
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wendyw
New User
Oct 1, 2008, 7:03 AM
Post #4 of 6
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Re: 2001 Lexus ES300 power windows spontaneously opening
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Thank you for the reply. My mechanic said that he doesn't feel comfortable fixing a wiring problem in the door of the car because he has never worked on a car that has the ability to open and shut the windows from the door lock. (Pretty honest of him - but it means I'll be looking for someone else to check it.) I don't live near a dealership so - we'll see. But today when my front windows opened spontaneously my moon roof stayed shut. I think something is wet in there - I don't understand why they changed and when I used my key the door lock closed them and opened them so that's working now. I am definitely not skilled enough to take that door apart. I will call another person I know who might know something about taking the door apart though. Thanks again for any suggestions.
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praveenny
New User
Aug 9, 2009, 4:37 AM
Post #5 of 6
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Re: 2001 Lexus ES300 power windows spontaneously opening
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I am having the same problem in my Lexus ES300. Both the windows along with the moonroof are opening up automatically.
Did you find out what the problem was and how was it fixed?
Thanks for your help.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 9, 2009, 11:47 AM
Post #6 of 6
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Re: 2001 Lexus ES300 power windows spontaneously opening
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This thread is almost a year old. You would do much better to start a question of your own.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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