where to start with windows

[bowserhound]

I have electric power windows but only one of them seems to work -slow. Before I start ripping everything apart, is there a typical problem with these windows, or I guess, where should I start troubleshooting?

Thanks

 

[tbird5866]

I would say start with the switches. They are often trouble. Lift the switch plate from the console and jumper past the switches to see if switches are the problem. After that, it's time to remove the door panels...

 

[bowserhound]

I'll try that. I took the switches out of the console and half of them (wires and such) look new. Sadly, the one that works is old.

I've never been real handy with electrical work, but I guess this is a good place to start!

 

[SCUMDOG]

Doing the same myself - there is a 'live' wire that looks like it has been assed on, it attaches to the brass strips on the back of the main window switches, is this normal?
It seems odd too that the connecting plugs have three connections but only two wires get to the switch???

 

[tbird5866]

Two of the switches will have a three wire plugs; two will have two wire plugs. Three wire plugs go to door windows; two wire plugs go to quarter windows. There is a buss bar connecting..

 

[bowserhound]

well, the switches tested fine. I'm now in the daunting process of removing the motor from the door to test it.

 

[SCUMDOG]

Likewise!

I suspect something is not right with the wiring as when I tested the wires by hooking up power to the 'outside' terminal of the three-wire plug in the door it made the centre terminal 'live' on the three-wire plug at the console switch end, any ideas anybody??

 

[tbird5866]

What color wire was on the "outside" terminal? The black wire is ground; the red wire is up; the yellow wire is down. You should be applying power to the wires from the MOTOR.. not the chassis.

 

[SCUMDOG]

I never noticed what the colors were (will go out now and try the window using you color description for the appropriate wires) but it seemed like the wires 'crossed over' in the loom from the driver door at one end and the console switch at the other.

Can't wait for my workshop manual to arrive - it will save a few questions on this site!
Thanks to all who offer advice, much appreciated.

 

[bowserhound]

I know what youre saying about the wires being crossed. In the door I have a grey wire instead of one of the three colors at the switch (cant recall which one changed to grey). It looks like the wires arent directly ran from the switch to the motor in the door? Where to they meet?

Also, I ran 12V to the motor with not even a sound. Still trying to remove it to see if it might be binding somewhere, but dang, that thing is hard to get out!

 

[tbird5866]

The wire in the door are red, yellow and gray. Gray being ground. You don't have a ground wire at the switch. The switch wires are red, yellow and black. Black being hot or power.

 

[Joe Vandatta]

window motors

If you need them, and I think you will, bran new window motors are available at The Bird Nest in Portland Or.

 

[bowserhound]

I see that The Bird Nest sells a 1960-1966 Power Window Relay (on firewall). Could somebody explain where on the firewall this is? I can't seem to find it in the shop manual.

 

[dans65]

i believe it sits just to the passenger side of the center of the firewall.

 

[tbird5866]

On 1965/66 it's located directly behind the engine on the firewall. Three wires go to it.

 

[bowserhound]

I'll look for it this afternoon thanks. Are we talking fairly accessible here? (with engine still in the car)

 

[bowserhound]

OK, I cleaned up the posts on the relay, but couldn't hear a click when I turned the key. Could a faulty relay cause only one window to work (poorly)?

It could be a stretch, but I'm having a hard time getting these window motors out!

Thanks!

 

[SCUMDOG]

The wire in the door are red, yellow and gray. Gray being ground. You don't have a ground wire at the switch. The switch wires are red, yellow and black. Black being hot or power.

Thanks for that Harley, I'll go out tomorrow and re-try the motor, I was using a battery on the garage floor and two thin 'jumper-lead' type wires to test.
I never realise the wires changed colour, I just though somebody had monkeyd with the wiring.!!

 

[tbird5866]

The window safety relay supplies power to all the windows. If only one window has a problem, the problem is not the window safty relay. This relay is easily viewed with the air cleaner removed.

 

[bowserhound]

3 windows do not work at all, and it's hard to believe that all 3 motors burned out. The one window (back) that does work is really slow. I was thinking maybe the relay wasn't supplying enough power for all four windows, or even the one that works alone.