"hot wiring" power windows

For a while I've been interested in figuring out how to make the power windows either work all the time regardless of ignition or just on demand with an "override" switch. I'm thinking it could be as easy as running a jumper wire to whichever relay controls the power windows, but I'm a little unclear on exactly how it's controlled normally, and if rigging it up in such a fashion could damage other components.

Any wiring/electrical experts on here, that could shed some light on this idea?

 

I've looked into this previously for myself. The windows have working power at all times just as they are. What they do not have is a signal from the BCM ECU on the LIN to work when the vehicle is turned off. When you turn off the ignition and open the door the LIN (via the BCM) turns off the window controls.

As an experiment, I opened the LIN (Violet wire) to the driver's door switch while the ignition was ON and some of the window functions did work after turning the truck off. I don't remember just what was missing as far as window features. I will look into this in the future, but also, like you, hoping someone pops in here with an easy answer. A hard answer is to provided power to the respective BCM circuitry that controls the LIN at all times. Just which of the multitude of 12VDC power leads to the BCM that is, I do not know.

LIN is Local Interconnect Network
BCM Body Control Module
ECU Electronics Control Unit.

 

My crankolator winders work without the key in the ignition

 

There are kids on your front lawn you need to yell at.

 

My 1992 Toyota Pickup had this... looked kinda liked this...
You supplied the power so it was always available...

 

Appreciate the response and the information! Some good information in there. Seems to be needlessly complicated, but I'm hopeful that we're at least not the only people who would like to do this... I know there's some electrical experts on here with the diagrams and knowledge to help

 

Kids today don’t go outside, allergies. The kids stay in the basement on the game machine.

 

Got lost on your way to Facebook?

 

if that was an option in 2018, i'd have it.

 

Is it really that much trouble getting your key out and turning acc on for the 10 seconds it takes to operate the windows?

 

Ya, it is. I been crankolatin’ for almost 50 years, you firecracker!

 

Spend at least 1 weekend installing a power bypass switch to either put power to the windows through the old path or through the "everything else off" bypass.

Then use it about 5 times in a year.

Then spend months tracking a "vampire load" that drains the battery every week, ignoring our advice to look at that window power bypass switch ...

Sorry. I am not supposed to point out the obvious.

 

This has always been my dream with power windows. They should work anytime the vehicle is unlocked, just like crank windows. Haha!

@daveeasa was looking into this a bit for me.

 

But crank windows work even when the vehicle is locked

 

Ahh, the price of “convenience”. Brought to you by the people that invented ABS brakes.

 

ABS brakes are amazing.

 

Yup; they sure are.

 

Here is the schematic to get you started:

 

I totally agree! I retrofitted power windows into my last truck. I used the dome light circuit to power the relay, so anytime the dome light would be on I could use the windows. It was fantastic.

 

Thanks!