Firstfives.org

Is there a good place to start when diagnosing non-operable power windows? Driver's window and rear passenger-side windows are the only ones that work. Is there a common failure point? Maybe a "usual suspect"?

Thanks!
J.B.

Good news is they usually work. Very common for thirty years to make the ground connections crunchy. Not a waste of time to go under the bonnet and make all the brown wire ends clean and shiny. I've used a Dremel tool w/wire brush. Do the big braided strap from the negative battery terminal, sometimes one off the back of the valve cover to firewall.

Don't be surprised if lots of things work better. If not the window motors, you'll be in the door panel removal business.

Google search the procedure here, or ask. Not difficult, just an order of things that takes about ten minutes.

Once inside you may see crud on the fat pin plug ins for the switches, loose wire, dirty grounds. Cleaning, pushing the switch while helping the window usually works. Do remember the driver switches has a child button in the middle that needs to be off.

Clean the gears, tracks, nylon guide wheels and lower door panel of rust and dirt. Use grease or oil to relube.

Good time to clean/lube the central locking linkage too. Pushing the driver latch or the individual should get them to work (or groan) until clean. If not, Google search again, or ask.

Thanks! I'll try all the above.

I had one really stuck this summer.

Took it all apart and tested it and nothing.

I sprayed the shite out of it with PB blaster and let it sit over night.

The next morning, it worked. Does make a little noise, but works fine.

I don't think these window motors die, they just get stuck and dirty or the fuses go.

It will take a little while, but it's not so bad, and as T. Hanson said, it will all work so much better after a little bit of love.

Check the switches, (switch them) and look for the ground and stuff.

Taking them out and putting them back in, if you have to do that, isn't half as bad as it seems. It reminded me of replacing the starter. I was all worried about it, but in the end, it was all pretty easy.

Good luck!