Windows don't budge - switches are OK

[Pauwl]

I'm revisiting a problem I didn't need to get around to as it was winter.

Neither of my side windows go up or down on my '84 Euro S.

I hear the motor engaging when I press the switch, so the switches are OK.

If I take the door panels off and loosen 2 of the 3 bolts on the motor, the window moves up & down just fine (I've only tried the drivers side for now).

Closing everything up again (with two of the 3 screws loose) seems to work OK until I've opened & closed the door once or twice, then nothing works again.

So here's the question: What's going on?

Could it be that the motors somehow are worn out?
Could it be a relay that doesn't work fully anymore?
Could it be....

Short of ripping & replacing the entire window mechanism (not cheap) - any ideas what I could look at?

thanks,

Pauwl

[Danglerb]

Check the voltage at the motor, if your brave using a fused source you might try applying power directly to the motor or the closest connection going to it.

Weak motor doesn't sound right, kind of all or nothing in my view.

Window somehow out of alignment and binding seems worth checking. Can you help it up pulling?

[surfdog4]

If the motor is getting voltage, the motors themselves might be seized up. Mine were..you do have to take the window mechanisms out, but the motor comes apart fairly easily. Inside you will probably find a lot of old dried grease..if you get that out, get the gears turning, and replace it with new grease you will be in good shape for near $0!

Its easy to check before you put it all back...just hook up the motor after you clean it up and give it a try..

[Pauwl]

Right - checked a few things.

Voltage is spot on, so that seems not to be the problem.
I don't think the motors are seized, as when I take the side-panelling off to access the mechanism, and unscrew a few bolts ready to take it off, the motor works just fine, & window goes up & down (albeit with the noise of a 24-year old motor).

I didn't get to check the guides, will do so on wednesday, when I get the passenger window repaired (928 was broken into whilst on a trip to Holland )

SURFDOG4, can you remember if getting the mechanism out is just the 3 Allen key bolts that loosen the mechanism and then you remove it?

[surfdog4]

I dont have my manuals handy right now, but i do not recall how many bolts have to come out to remove the motor and drive...but i don't think there were any hidden connections and when it's loose you'll know it.

As i remember you will have to take the window out to get it and the guide shaft out of the way to remove the motor and drive..it only comes out of the hole a certain way. I'll try to dig into the procedure tonight

[surfdog4]

OK i forgot i have a copy of the manual on this computer..the picture shows 4 bolts to remove the regulator....and you must remove the window and the guide tube to get it out

[Pauwl]

More work, but not much further.

Checked both sides of the car.

DRIVERS SIDE
Of course I unbolted everything on the drivers' side, and the window started working again. Bolted everything up again. Still working.
Added the door panelling, then... nothing.

Although this morning (before removing everything), the window spontaneously worked fine UNTIL I WOUND IT ALL THE WAY UP AGAIN. After that, wouldn't budge.

So now I'm sure the switches & motor work fine, but what makes it 'stick' then sometimes not stick? When it started going again this afternoon I could roll it up & down all I wanted until about the 4th or 5th time (all the way up again) it just stopped.

Passenger side
My mistake here, the motor does nothing at all. I tried replacing the switch to see if that might be it, but that didn't help. I tried re-routing the power from the interior light to the motor to see if I could get it to budge. Nothing. Something odd with the wiring of the motor. I really hope Allan reads this and can let me know how to test the motor.

Any ideas REALLY welcome. I drive the 750km's back to France tomorrow, it's really hot here at the moment, no windows work and the AC - well - that's the next project.

[Alan in AZ]

Testing the motors is easy - apply power across the 2 terminals in one direction it will rotate one way in the other direction it should counter-rotate. Just create some wire jumpers (fused) from the bettery/chassis.

A possibility for the motors stalling is a poor connection in the brushes/commuator - possibly combined with some binding. First step clean and lubricate the whole motor internals (remove from the case). Clean the commutator & brushes with switch cleaner and lube everythng - specifically grease the bearings - reassemble.

Next step if this doesn't work would be to replace the brushes.

Otherwise wiggle the door and see if its a wiriing issue in the door hinge loom pass through.

Alan

[mdarney]

I had the same thing happen and it turned out the motors were rusty inside. Bumping them around would make them work for awhile.A quick claen up/ rebuild did the trick The motors should work without any noise, if they do not than something is wrong. The windows do not need to come out to change the motors. Mark