VT power windows

[tri501]

Hey guys, looking at putting power windows in the exec. Have bought all the regs, switches and door looms. Have just bought a calais body harness for the car to look at making it easier to wire up the windows. Question is has anybody here swapped the entire interior harness before and how hard was it? The next question is- Am I better off just cutting apart the harness and taking out the wires needed for the power windows or is there any benefit to installing the entire harness. cheers

[gregriff]

hey mate, i have just installed complete factory power windows in my VT exec S1 wagon so heres the deal. My VT DIDNT have wiring pre installed so its a freaking big job, but eventually satisfying nonetheless. You will however develop Turrett's syndrome.
Now before someone yet again bangs on with "why bother, just get a car with power windows" do the bloody maths. It cost me around $550 for ALL the parts. To sell my car, buy another thats comparable in condition and modifications, add rego transfer fees etc .... do the maths.
I have the advantage of an electrical technician background, if youre not absolutely confident with wiring diagrams get someone who is to help you. Its very involved if you want it as per factory fitout.
From what ive seen and been informed, a calais loom will cause more probs than its worth as it wires to a helluva lot more functions than an exec (assuming thats wot u have)
i obtained a berlina loom but someone had already ransacked some connectors off it so my only choice was to remove and fit only the power window wiring. I was lucky to already have a MID level BCM from factory which controls the window delay/time out features (you wont get these if you bypass BCM and wire direct from ignition like some others have suggested)
OPTION 1:
If you going to go the loom swap youre better off getting either a loom from a exec that had those extras fitted from factory (windows, cruise) or a berlina loom. At least they have the same connectors. Grit ya teeth, rip the dash and seats out, write a list of wot/where things terminate/attach, take a shitload of photos for reference, check and recheck.
OPTION 2:
this is ridiculously hard because youve got to wire into your bcm connectors and fuse/relay panel etc. but here goes.....
along with wiring diagram, start at console main switch connector, trace, label all wires to their connectors. (Pop the retainers in each connector block so you can pull out the individual wires) then use a tiny flat blade screw driver or straightened paper clip to separate the wiring from the BCM connectors, door loom and body connectors, fuse, cct breaker and both relay connectors. That was the toughest part for me, the BCM connector wires are a pain in the ass to remove and just as difficult to tap into their respective blocks and wiring up the rear of the fuse/relay panel in limited access & space is frustrating. Youll have full blown Turrett's by then so practise on some terminals of the spare loom that you dont need.
I taped up and laid out the body wiring to make sure it was going to fit in position. Use a multimeter and test all connections to switches, BCM etc. Be sure that every wire tests operational such as door looms before refitting any trims
DOOR MECHS:
wire them up and test that they work before riveting them in place with large face short throw aluminium rivets. Youll have to operate them into slightly open window position for the door/rivet holes to line up.
My setup works faultlessly, times out per spec. when ignition turned off and when doors opened, drivers window auto down is nice.

If you havent got power window door trims, im considering making some aluminium discs the size of the winder holes with red/black Holden logo on them to be glued and placed over the hole (im in the signage/graphics industry) will figure out a price.
Hope this long explanation covers it all. cheers

[tri501]

yeah dude i'm an auto elec trade. just wanted to know if it was worth the hassle. the calais loom was completely different, not even close. Airbag connectors were the first hassle. Ended up just cutting out the wiring neede for the windows and wire to accessories. 2nd problem was the door looms i got were different, all the series 1 looms were the same but the rear door looms were changed from series 2 and up. pissed me off no end. going to take the rear doors apart again and cut the looms and and install seperate connectors for the windows. have sworn never to do this job again.

[gregriff]

Do you need to know anything more about the door loom wiring to centre pillar connectors YB25 & YB26? I only had to hard wire the green/blue supply wires from centre switch to these body connectors and make sure they had good connection with the new door loom connector. As i got these looms with the window setup, im not sure wot series they are from though they had the calais courtesy door lamp wiring in situe.
How are you off for wiring diargrams? i can refer you to the same ebay site i got my service manual CD. its very thorough and has individual diagrams for power windows, cruise etc etc instead of one big diagram. cheers greg

[tri501]

thanks anyway dude but have all the diagrams, the problem is that the plugs are completely different from series 1 to series 2. no dramas i'll just make up another door harness. cheeers for your replies.

[BIG-EV]

Im doing a conversion too on mine.. I got a VT S pack loom.. wold that be any different from the executive?? except for the power windows and rear wiper (my car is a wagon) Was gonna pull everything out and lay down a new loom..

[tri501]

mate from what i've heard the s pack loom is the easiest and the way i should have done it. if your going to change the entire loom i don't know how different it will be regarding lengths to the rear storage compared to a sedan. the calais loom i started with had all the taillights attached to the loom and i would put money on it being different. take out your centre console first and check the airbag connector plug first. That was the first difference i noticed between series 1 and 2 and calais exec. if they are different it will never fit.

[Sarge1962]

i am considering put power windows from a 99 clubsport into my 2000 exe will the looms and acc go straight in? or are there going to be many more probs. any help appreciated.