GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

Express up operation of the front door power windows is monitored and controlled by the front door modules, the window sensors, and the 4 connecting circuits. Each front door window motor has a window sensor mounted to it. The driver door module (DDM) and the passenger front door module (PFDM) each supply battery positive voltage and ground to power their respective window sensors. Each door module communicates with its sensor via a power window high speed serial data circuit, and a power window low speed serial data circuit. The window sensor detects differences in the window motors electrical pulses to determine if there is an obstruction to the travel of the window glass. The door modules use the information generated by the sensors to disable the express up movement of a window, or reverse the direction of travel, in the event that a passenger, or other obstacle, has become trapped in it.

The power window low speed serial data circuit is a unique 2-way serial data link between the door module and its sensor. The actual position of the window glass, in relationship to the distance traveled by the window, is communicated via this circuit, as well as state-of-health messages and the direction in which the window is traveling.

DTC Descriptors

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTCs:

    • DTC B3832 Left Front/Driver Window Express Up System/Function Not Initialized
    • DTC B3833 Right Front/Passenger Window Express Up System/Function Not Initialized

Conditions for Running the DTC

The door modules must be powered and can not have DTC B1327 Battery Voltage Low or DTC B1328 Battery Voltage High set for this DTC to set.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

DTC B3832 indicates that a sensor does not know the actual position of its window glass and has sent a Not Normalized/Not Initialized message over the power window low speed serial data circuit to its corresponding door module. If the failure has occurred to the driver side window, the DDM detects the failure and sets the DTC. If the failure has occurred to the passenger side window, the PFDM detects the failure and sets the DTC.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

The DDM, or the passenger door module (PDM), will not allow the express up function for that window to operate. All other window functions for that window will still operate.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

The DDM or PFDM will clear the current DTC when either the DDM, or the PDM, detects that its corresponding sensor is no longer sending the message.

Diagnostic Aids

DTC B3832 may be set and the express up function disabled if the vehicle or the door module has recently lost power for any reason. You should first attempt to re-initialize the express up function. Refer to Window Motor Programming - Express Function .

If DTC B3832 is accompanied by DTC  U1714, utilize the DTC U1714 or U1716 diagnostic table before using this table. Refer to DTC U1714 or U1716 .

If DTC B3832 is set by itself and the vehicle or door module has not recently lost battery power, it is likely that the window sensor itself has failed.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. When DTC B3832 is accompanied by DTC U1713 or DTC U1714, a failure of the window sensor battery voltage circuit, or the window sensor low reference circuit, may be the cause. This step directs you to the correct diagnostic chart where these failures are addressed.

  2. This step determines if the window is operational at all. The step does not ask the technician to attempt the express up movement because, when DTC B3832 is set current, the door module disables the express up function.

  3. This step addresses the possibility that the DTC may have been set, and express up disabled, because the vehicle door module has recently lost power due to a battery disconnect or other reason. Performing the window express programming procedure will eliminate this as the possible cause of the DTC.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Moveable Window Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Window Systems Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

Is DTC B3832 accompanied by DTCs U1713 and U1714?

Go to DTC U1713 or U1715 and DTC U1714 or U1716

Go to Step 3

3

Attempt to operate the inoperative window to the up, down, and express down positions.

Does the window move to the up, down, and express down positions as expected?

Go to Step 4

Go to Symptoms - Vehicle

4

Perform the window sensor/motor initialization procedure. Refer to Window Motor Programming - Express Function .

Did you complete the window programming procedure?

Go to Step 5

--

5

  1. Use the scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC reset?

Go to Step 6

Go to Testing for Electrical Intermittents

6

Inspect for poor connections at the inoperative window sensor/motor assembly harness connector. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 7

7

Replace the inoperative window sensor/motor assembly. Refer to Front Side Door Window Regulator Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 8

--

8

  1. Re-initialize the window sensor/motor assembly. Refer to Window Motor Programming - Express Function .
  2. Use the scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.
  3. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC reset?

Go to Step 2

System OK