electrical problems - heater, ac and windows

I have a 1996 Plymouth Voyager minivan.

Since last year I've experienced episodes when the heater / air
conditioner refuses to work. When this happens, the power windows
fail as well.

I've taken this back to the dealer several times, but have had no luck
getting this problem fixed. The first time I took it in, the dealer
claimed it was the power windows assembly, and I ended up paying about
$350 to have the assemblies on both windows replaced. However, that
did not solve the problem.

Another time I was told that the ignition key wasn't making making
full contact with the electrical system, and if I "jiggled" the key,
the heater / AC would start. No such luck.

Which brings us to today.

As I write this, my van is back at the dealer. They've had it for
three business days, and they still can't trace the problem.
Furthermore, they tell me that the heater / a.c. worked fine for the
past three days, and only today did the problem actually manifest
itself in front of them -- Something I find hard to believe because
the heater hasn't worked once in the last three weeks.

Anyway, has anyone else had this problem? Meaning that the AC /
Heater sometimes refuses to work, and when this happens, the windows
crap out as well?

Thanks in advance.

 

I don't know the vehicle, so I'm taking a risk here, but it seems to me
it's a matter of getting the vehicle schematics out and seeing what
ground or power path is common to those and only those circuits (either
that or a controlling computer is malfunctioning).

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

the wires that supplys the ingition switch runs through the left front
fender
and these wires rub through and short out inside the fender and cause this
sort of issue i have repaired this harness in 3 vans this past month

 

I had a similar experience when my ignition switch on a 1992 Voyager went
bad. It turned out that a small piece had actually broken out in the keyed
part (which is sold separately from the switch part). While this was
broken, the van wouldn't start because I could not turn the key to the start
position, only to the run position. During the day or two until I replaced
the parts, I started the van by jumping the starter motor relay under the
hood. A couple times while I was driving, all the electronics would stop
working until I jiggled the key back into position.

While it does not sound like yours is as bad off as mine was, I would
suggest looking into or replacing the ignition switch. I was able to
replace it myself with parts from O'Reilly and the shop manual. Note that
if you replace the key part (rather than just the switch part) your ignition
will have a different key than your doors. I had keyless entry on that van
but it would be pretty annoying if you don't.

Hope this helps!