86 drivers window not working

[Sonic dB]

When I bought the car last month, the switch to the power window on the driver side was loose. It had to be "jiggled" to get it to work.

Ultimately, it slowly stopped working and now it doesnt work at all.

I have 101 Projects book and it talks about replacing the switch, Regulator or motor...or all three.

Questions:

1) What is the Pelican part for the regulator?
2) How do you know the regulator is broken?
3) What window is this considered? right or left?

Thanks. Any advice for this repair is very much appreciated.

Sonic

[nhromyak]

I will lay odds it's the switch. I have gone through three switches in the last five years.

Usually Right and Left is relative to the forward motion of the car.

The driver's side is usually known as left, while the Passenger side is known as right.

[Sonic dB]

Thanks Nick. Do I need to remove the panel completely to just try and install a new switch?

[nhromyak]

I forget if you do or don't....

I think if your REALLY careful, you don't need to.

But it is MUCH easier on the leather if you push the switch out with the panel removed.

[targa80]

I had to replace a switch that would only work some of the time. I would suggest disconnecting the negative side of your battery before replacing the switch. Using a small flat screw driver you could pry the switch out of it holder in the door panel ( just be careful not to damage the leather). Make a drawing of the switch contacts and label the contacts with the color code of the wires. Remove the wires terminals by hand or use a pair of needle nose pliers.

[JavaBrewer]

Ok sounds easy enough. Does anyone know if the Carrera switch mounts changed that would prohibit the "pry out carefully" method?

[TigerTrash]

all the switches pry out. make sure to label the wires and disconnect the battery while doing this job. Too see if it is the switch just try the passanger side one on the drivers side wires.
If that is the case they are about $20.00 at the dealer.

[agabriel]

Assuming the wires are connected try jiggling the switch back forth (i.e. sending the window up & down) rapidly for a few minutes. I have had that repair switches on a few MB's. I haven't tried it on the Porsche, but usually its just a touch of corrsion on a vital point in the switch.

Anthony

[Sonic dB]

I used to be able to jiggle the switch up and down to get the window to roll....this was last week actually. Then the other day, the jiggling didnt work. The window became very slow to roll down and then stopped.

* Heres the catch: I can sorta hear the motor wanting to work when I jiggled the switch...but nothing happens. Would this indicate the switch?

Probably not right?...because something is getting to the motor?

[Jdub]

Sonic:

I think you really need to go into the door panel to do this right. If the switch is "buzzing" chances are good that it is getting current but cannot overcome the dirt and dead lube that is gumming up the regulator. Pull the panel, clean the regulator and the contacts for the switch, and then see if you haven't solved the problem without spending any money. You will also be AMAZED at how quickly and easily your power windows go up and down without having to grind their way through all of the neglect and dirt that's in there now.

Believe me, I have repaired countless power windows and sunroofs on the older W113/W111 Mercedes and the owners simply can't believe I didn't put a more powerful motor in.

There is also a list of things you ought to do while you have the panel off. A Search on "door panel" and my name will reveal all.

John