Replacement Window Motor

Orry · 05-01-2010, 11:54 AM

Hi Guys,

The window motor on mir passenger side does not work any more. I measured the direct supply behind the window switch. I can not measure anything, seems to be damaged.

Anyway I took the side panels off, but I am wondering how to get the motor out of the door?

I see the 4 bolts for the window mechanism but I am afraid to mess it up if I loosen the wrong

Had an MGB was the worst part to work on.

Any ideas from you ?

Thanks Orry

m110 · 05-01-2010, 01:18 PM

You don't mention what year your car is as the job on the older cars is much more involved and includes the window frame. I don't remember what year they changed but 74 and up at least have a relatively simple procedure. The Bentley manuel has a reasonable explanation of the procedure which involves removing the inner door panel and loosening the regulator mechanism, unplugging the power supply, sliding the regulator off the tracks for the window all while inside the door. Then the window is held up with tape and it is a fiddling exercise of maneuvering the regulator and motor out of the door. It can be frustrating. Once all out you change the motor and reinstall.
Grease everything while there.
Examine the pin at the middle of the spring on the regulator as it is a common site of failure and there are two types--you need to look at it before ordering so look at it now and replace if needed.
I jack the car up high or put it on a hoist so I can sit on a stool and work at a reasonable level.
Take a good look inside with a flashlight to get an idea of how the regulator swings around the front part of the window frame.
101 jobs also has some good tips.
I would do everything else you want while in there.....window seals, speakers, door handle seals and cleanup, inner door handle etc.

robhamster · 05-01-2010, 01:36 PM

I just went through this on my 84 Cab. The window switch on the drivers door for the passenger window was sticking in the UP position and drained my battery a few times. When the window stopped working I made the connection between the two and changed the switch with no joy. I then pulled the motor following the directions in the Bentley's and pulled the motor. I had my local P-wrench look at the motor as he thought there was an overheat circuit that might have flipped and he new how to bypass it. It turned out that one of the brushes in the motor was stuck by some debris. They are spring loaded to come in contact with the spinning magnet and this one was too far away to complete the circuit. A little cleaning and last night I was able to put the old motor back in with everything running great.

Ditto on the greasing everything. Now I want to take the drivers door apart just to grease everything up there.

Lesson here is check the motor before replacing it.

steely · 05-01-2010, 01:57 PM

If you don't have power at the switch, you won't have it at the motor.

86 911 Targa · 05-01-2010, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orry

Hi Guys,

The window motor on mir passenger side does not work any more. I measured the direct supply behind the window switch. I can not measure anything, seems to be damaged.

Anyway I took the side panels off, but I am wondering how to get the motor out of the door?

I see the 4 bolts for the window mechanism but I am afraid to mess it up if I loosen the wrong

Had an MGB was the worst part to work on.

Any ideas from you ?

Thanks Orry

Orry,

Prior to any surgery, pull off the door panel, or get access to the switch wires, and use your Bentley/multimeter to trace out the voltages and grounds at the switch.

Too often too many P-owners unnecessarily replace non-refundable parts.

Gerry

m110 · 05-01-2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

Orry,

Prior to any surgery, pull off the door panel, or get access to the switch wires, and use your Bentley/multimeter to trace out the voltages and grounds at the switch.

Too often too many P-owners unnecessarily replace non-refundable parts.

Gerry

While I wholeheartedly agree with this statement, I think there are times when the labour cost probably isn't worth it to do it again. Like most of us, when I do a job on an old car I end up cleaning everything, inspecting and buttoning everything up with confidence that whatever area I have worked on is "done" ie I shouldn't have to worry about it again for the service interval. Doing it once is fun but taking out the motor, cleaning it and then having a window problem 8 months from now and having to do it all over again isn't worth it (for me...depends on time value). In this case the motor is $130 or so I would go ahead and find out what's wrong for sure and consider changing it out anyways while it is in your lap...the classic "while you are in there argument".

Orry · 05-01-2010, 06:01 PM

Hi Guys,
sorry I forgot to mention it's a1990 C4. I believe I checked the wire pretty thoroughly. First I checked took the switch from the driver side, just to check the switch. Voltage is also available,
The two wire that go from the switch to the motor, blue and blue with white stripe . Show no conductivity which means there is either a break in the wire or the motor is defect. My guess is the motor, but I will check the short end from the switch to the motor to make 100 % sure.

Back to the motor, does this mean I loosen the 4 bolts and slide the entire window mechanism with the motor down to the opening in the door frame and for back installation the other way around ?!

By the way I agree, once everything is out it should be replaced and not repaired.

Thanks Orry

steely · 05-01-2010, 08:08 PM

If it's anything like the 84-89, that should work, although you may need to:
remove one or both of the regulator arms (with the wheels on them) from the window track;
prepare to have the window start to slide down;
remove the two 5mm bolts from the other end of the window reg for more movement (6 total);
watch your fingers.

I recommend you get waynes 101 projects book here. It would help.

If you do as you say, with just the one end- and with the arms inserted in the window tracks, let the whole thing down slowly until you can see the 3 motor bolts thru any door holes and remove motor that way.
There will be grease on the motor drive gear and tracks to watch out for.
Then you can drop the motor out the speaker hole.