Does cold weather = slow windows?

[mthomas58]

I've noticed on my pcar and previously on my 1984 Mercedes that the elec windows operate much slower in cold temps. This morning (36 degrees) I had to help the window down when pulling into the parking garage at work.

Is this normal or symptomatic of a tired 20 year old electric motor. Can anything be done short of replacement?

Worked through a lot of projects while off last week.....need to re-load my list!

Thanks!

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Does on my '83 SC too. Makes sense: whatever oil-fashioned oil is still on the bushings of the motor thickens in the cold, and if there's any old grease on the window mechanism itself, that also slows things up.

I don't think it's so much the motor--though I may well be wrong, don't know much about electric motors--as it is the lubricant(s). If you were serious about trying to fix it and didn't have anything better to do, I'd clean up the pantograph-type mechanism inside the door, clean all the old grease off the gears, toothed sector, hinge points, tracks etc. and spray them selectively and lightly with some modern lubricant like Wurth 2000, which is an excellent lube that leaves behind a greasy substance when the carrier evaporates. Also lube the motor if you can get at an oil hole.

[don911]

The condition of the channel felt affect the operation a lot. I would check the condition of the felt. When I first got my 87, the felt was so bad the window stuck in the channel and was pulled out window arm thing. Don't wait for this to happen, it was a PITA to fix.

[defcon65]

Yes. Lower battery voltage, higher resistance in the switch and motor coils plus the sticky lube Steve refers to in the mechanism. Every car I've had with power windows has done this. If it won't come down by itself, you probably need a new regulator and motor assembly. I miss crank down windows AND vent-wings.

Regards,

[Rich135]

Mine too. I used some silicone lube on the channels, and that has helped quite a bit.

[mack6820]

my 83sc windows are very slow all the time, even more in the winter. Also the passenger side doesnt go down all the way. sticks out about 2 inches.