troubleshooting non-working power window

[bill_bain]

The passenger side power window on my '83 Spider just quit working (fortunately, the window's up, not down). With the ignition on but the car not started, when I press the swithc to lower the window, the alternator light dims, but I don't hear the motor running.

a) where to start trouble shooting?

b) if the window motor's shot, how tough is it to replace it?

Bill Bain

[P.Webb]

The usual failure mode is broken wires between the fender and the door. They break inside the rubber boot above the top hinge.

Worth a look.

-Peter

[ocduff]

Bill -

Hope this helps - it's a link to a site where someone was kind enough to document this procedure. I bookmarked it for future reference, though so far I have not burned a motor or anything. I'd check all the simple stuff first, as Peter suggested. Good luck!

http://home.wanadoo.nl/hans.siemensma/en-ar-repair.htm

[Sepp]

If the alternator light dims, but the window motor does nothing, there is a load on the motor, which rules out a faulty switch/fuse.
Either the motor is tired/shot/siezed, or the window is bound up in it's track somehow.
If you can, remove the motor, and ensure free range of motion of the window within its track....If it's good you're most likely looking a new motor.

[silverspider]

This may sound unlikely but I had a similar experience on my 84. The window was getting slower and slower and then gave up. I lubed up the felt window channels with wd40 and they workd like new. Just a thought to try before throwing deep with more drmatic repair options.

[JustABloke]

I have exactly this problem with my '86. First the drivers side... I took it all apart, it was fiddly but easily doable in an afternoon. I replaced the winding gear.. a sort of spaghetti house of wire. It now works like a dream.


sadly, I know have a similar problem with the passenger side

I'll be looking at it over the christmas break.


JaB

[tmartin3]

I have the same problem and have taken it apart several times. The problem I have is getting the cable in the right position and tightened on the window to make it work correctly. Can anyone tell me, should it start winding on the spool evenly? Then ajust the cables on the window with the window all the way down? Not sure where to go here, may buy the new gear driven motors.

[fetta78]

If the wires are good.....

You can remove the window motor and take it apart, clean it and put it back in. If I remember correctly you don't even touch the cables!

Remove the interior panel and the motor has 2 nuts that hold it on the bracket. Pull the motor out and carefully take it apart. Take note how the pieces come out. It wasn't very complicated, I mean, I did it!!

If like mine, it will be dirty, crunchy, rusty. I cleaned it with brake cleaner and steel wool because that's what I had on the bench at the time. I cleaned it up, put it back together, plugged it in and IT WORKED!

If it doesnt....well, ya would have to replace it anyway, right?!