Jeremy, with all of those symptoms, I would bet you've got GEM issues. Unfortunately, it sounds like you've bypassed the GEM on a few items here.

When the GEM has issues, almost all of the time it is due to water intrusion from the windshield leaking. Does it seem to be worse after your truck has been wet?

 

Wrong approach for sure. Fix the problem, not circumvent it.

 

I've tried this short cut after watching a YouTube video. No luck, I've replaced the GEM with a used one.Replaced interior fuse box with a used one. Had a the shop replace window regulator and motor as one unit with new. Tried both a new and used master switch and just ordered a complete set of relays and another new switch. All of this started last year when I had a shop replace just the window motor they said it wouldn't roll down. As I left it worked but kept going down too far and disengaging from the motor, it continued to work until it got stuck down in the rain and I pulled the door panel and pulled up on window to engage it it rolled up and was stuck for months. I had a crack in my windshield sealed it with entire tube of silicone seems to have fixed it. Noticed today that it doesn't make some light flicker and relay click when door is shut. Noticed that the wiring harness has been untaped in 2 places by the switches and the motor. Wondering now if there is a short in the harness somewhere. Anyone know part number for 97 F-150 regular cab basic model short bed with 4.6 ltr and power windows, mirrors, and locks?????

 

1997 F150 XLT 4X4 ....I've gone over a lot of ancient threads about the GEM workaround for a drivers window that would only go down.occasionally. i.e.: cut orange/white stripe wire and cap end that comes from GEM. Cut tan/blue stripe and cap end that runs to GEM. Join tan/blue from switch to orange/white stripe to window motor and GEM bypass should be complete. DOES NOT WORK ON MY TRUCK. In fact, as soon as the orange/white stripe wire is cut the DOOR AJAR light & chime starts ringing very rapidly and the dome light flashes along with it. Doesn't stop until the orange/white to the GEM is reconnected. I've never read a reference about this happening in any of the window switch threads I've found. And even with tan/blue from switch connected to orange/white to motor wire the switch will not lower window. Window UP worked last time it was used. When in OEM wiring configuration I can hear the GEM relays clicking when UP or DOWN is commanded but no wondow movement. Test light at switch will flash once when switch is commanded up or down, then remain off with switch depressed. I was suspecting a bad ground but the passenger side window switch works fine and shares a common ground with the driver side. It may all boil down to a bad window regulator motor but I want to make certain I've exhausted all wiring options before I start replacing parts. The DOOR AJAR and dome light flashing part really has me scratching my head. Any thoughts would be welcomed.

 

Here it is 2025 and your post has made my day…thanks for just being a great person and helping an old lady get back on a camping trip with her granddaughter…OLD FORDS never die they just find new caregivers…