Power window woes

[nealf2002]

Hi: My '87 Carrera driver window just quit on me in the fully open position. I am pretty sure its not a fuse as the passenger window works fine. I also ruled out the switch as I swapped the two around and the passenger window works with the driver window switch in its place.

I fully disassembled the door panel and vapor barrier to see what exactly is going on. I can't see exactly where the motor is to try to test its power.

I also saw somewhere that on '87's, the power window relay is behind the oil pressure and gas gauge? I'm assuming there's only one relay for BOTH windows?

Can anyone suggest what i should do first at this point to try to fix this thing?

Also if I determine its the motor, are they really over $500.00 apiece new? Is there any source for either a used one of a cheaper new one?

Finally, is there a way to wind the window up MANUALLY in the meantime? Usually some sort of winder can do this when inserted into door on some cars.

Thanks,

nf
'87 Carrera
'97 Carrera

[86 911 Targa]

Been there, done that.

pm me if you need further assistance.

Best,

Gerry

[nealf2002]

Is this where the manual winder tool goes? I don't have such a tool. Would be helpful to see what the tool looks like. Also, I did not find any such info about manually winding in the owners manual. Didn't check the Bentley yet.

[macssc911]

DC automotive in Rocky Mount NC, huge inventory great guys

[mo-mon]

The tool is just an allen wrench. It should be in your tool roll. I didn't have one so I just used a regular one. The owner's manual covers it.
It should fit tightly in the middle of the gear in your picture. Move it left and right while pressing the power window switch. Hope it makes the motor work. If it doesn't, start searching threads about motors here.

[iowa p-car]

My friend experienced a similar problem with the passenger side window. We removed the door panel, vapor barrier, and window regulator and motor. The regulator was almost frozen at its pivot points which had probably caused an overloaded motor. A continuity test of the brushes revealed that one of the brushes was not receiving any power due to a burned out thermal switch.

That small switch is mounted in the plastic piece holding the brushes and has two terminals soldered to the wiring. We bypassed the switch temporarily and found the motor works fine. You might want to check out that switch before parting with $500.00 or so for a new motor.

The switch is made in England by a company named Oster. I contacted them and they were very helpful, although we haven't yet determined the needed replacement. We're working on that now. Meanwhile, the window is closed for the winter until we can make the final fix.

[nealf2002]

I Don't see how this is the spot to manually wind the window. No tool can fit into this gear. Am I looking in the wrong place?

[jlex]

If you have the door panel off, you should be able to see where to insert the hex wrench for manual winding.
About a half dozen times this summer, my passenger window would get stuck. To get it moving, I would hold the switch up or down while giving the door panel a good bang with my fist right about where the motor is located. Gets it moving every time. One of these days, I'll pull the motor and clean and re-lube the pivot points.
If I want to fiddle with the manual winder gear without taking the door card off, I simply unscrew the speaker tweeter cover (located directly below the window switch) & it's right there behind the vapor barrier. Don't know if your '87 is the same.

[jamesrg]

Originally Posted by nealf2002

I Don't see how this is the spot to manually wind the window. No tool can fit into this gear. Am I looking in the wrong place?

That looks like the gears for the motor.

Had the same issue, ended up replacing the motor and greased the regulator in my 87.
Here are a couple of links that helped me.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/101_Projects_Porsche_911/78-Window_Regulator/78-Window_Regulator.htm

Passenger side power window motor repair

[Discseven]

Credit to ChrisBruck / '87 Carrera:

"Went to the local Pull-A-Part and found a late 80's vintage Volvo 240 and Mercedes 420E. Pulled the motors off the front passenger side doors and sure enough the Bosch motor and shaft is the same. The stamped part numbers were different but I'm sure that's because of the different sprocket drives. All I did was undo the two starhead bolts, pull off the sprocket assembly and swap it with the one from my 911 on it. The newer motors had the same exact power plug terminal spades except both of these had the wire leads soldered on. A simple dremel cut and off they went and the Porsche plug fits perfect."

...Googled Volvo 240 window motor. This is image from Summit Racing site. $44. Motor setup looks very similar to 911.



Am dealing with dead motor too.

[nealf2002]

does anyone know where its located? someone said behind one of the gauges?

thanks

[Rleog]

It’s located in front of the two left side gauges. It can be seen from the trunk but it’s a difficult reach from there.

It may not be a relay problem if your passenger window works alright.

[blucille]

one relay is all there is....I'm not sure what changed, as the earlier cars with power windows didn't have a relay. Most relays are interchangeable, as long as the pin out and amp rating are the same. In other words, you should be able to swap in another relay to test if it makes any difference at all.

[Rleog]

On my ‘87, and presumably on your ‘88, there are three relays in front of the left side dash instruments. One is a flasher relay, which I had to replace after installing LED brake and turn signals. Another is the window relay, which sets immediately to the left of a taller relay. If you’re set upon testing the power window relay, your test relay should have this blade arrangement:



Again, if your passenger side window works, it’s probably not the relay that is at fault.

[nealf2002]

thanks all.