Driver's side window stuck down

[Kenny_Z]

This morning on the drive in I partially put down the windows because it is a nice day. When I got to the office I put up the passenger window but the driver's side didn't make a sound. I swapped the switches in the console and was able to move the passenger window with the driver's switch but the driver's window still did nothing. This is the first time that window has given me trouble. The dealer said it fell out of track on the lot but it hasn't done that to me. I did notice after TS Lee the driver's door was difficult to open but after a few open/closes it returned to normal.

I'm not worried about rain for the rest of the week but I'd like to at least get the window closed.

[content22207]

Do you have original motors or A1 motors? The OEM plastic quick connects like to fall off A1 motors.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Kenny_Z]

Most likely they are original motors. I've been finding that 95% of this car is original.

I just walked out to the car and pushed the button. The window rolled up. I wonder if my motor is just going bad.

[TTait]

I assume the window is all the way down.

Its relatively easy to remove the upper half of the door trim. Use a larger flat screwdriver or similar tool to carefully pry up the fir trees that hold it down onto the door. Start at the center, insert the screwdriver under the panel from outside the car, gently, and then slide it fore or aft until you find the first connector, pry up a little, then find the ones on either side of it, pop them up a little. Center up more, and continue gently working to the ends. Be careful not to let the fiberboard that makes up the panel rip around the fir trees.

There is a hook going into the door near the rear of the panel, don't damage it or rip it off.

Once its off you will have a partial view into the door. The window may be physically jammed - take a look. At the bottom of the window is a tab with a short stud going through it, and a nut holding the tab to the stud. It may be too low to get too. If you can remove the nut its easier to get the window back on the tracks, and lift the window up. At that point you can tape it up so it doesn't drop back in the door.

With the window disconnected and the panel open you may be able to tell if the window motor is working or not.

Not much more you can do with the lower half of the door still in place, but if you get this far you can at least get the window up and sealed in an ugly fashion, and let us know what you found.

Tom

[Rich]

I just walked out to the car and pushed the button. The window rolled up. I wonder if my motor is just going bad.

Interesting clue. In two ways.

You now know your window was on the track.

As for getting it fixed. The window switches can become iffy with time. They respond well to a teardown and contact cleaning. Despite the fact that you did a switch-swap indicating the problem is downstream I recommend repairing or replacing the switch as a starting point because it's just so easy and it might do the job if there is something intermittent in it. Be sure the switch connectors are clean and tight, too.

[content22207]

You can use the same jumper you keep in the glovebox for jumping the otterstat, relays, etc to jump a window switch too.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Kenny_Z]

When I pulled the switches I looked at the contacts and like all the contacts in the interior they were clean, a dullish gold. I'll tinker with that jumper test this weekend. I don't think the window is exactly on track since I had to put my finger against it so it would roll up the right spot. If I hadn't of done that it would roll up inside the car and miss the upper rail. The dealer told me they had that window fall of the track during a test drive, which is why the driver's side door cover hangs wrong. I'll remove it this weekend and eyeball the internals and clean those contacts.

I forgot about this one recent instance. I got in the car, fired her up, and the radio and both windows wouldn't work. I pulled and looked at the fuse, it was a 30 but not blown. The next time I fired the car up all three worked fine. This was before I installed the new speakers. I haven't had it happen since. I don't have upgraded relays yet, they are on my list but have to wait until after I purchase the new rear tires. In the meanwhile I use a battery cutoff switch whenever I leave the car.

[john 05141]

My drivers side window fell off track once. I got that fixed pretty quick, but then I learned that I need some kind of back up. So I made 2 1mm clear plastic replacement windows. I cut them to size, you can jam them in the opening where the glass goes into when closed. + a roll of tape to seal at the bottom. It is +95% watertight.
The plastic windows still have the protective skin, and they are under my bonnet carpet. I never needed it, but when the window gets stuck far from home, this simple solution that takes no space and weight is a life saver in such an occasion. I made it for my trip to Ireland.
Takes you 15 min. to make.


John