power window question

wingman

sucka got blammed!
Sep 11, 2005
427
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Phoenix, AZ
what are the symptoms of a faulty window motor? My driver window refuses to go up or down (thank god it's up), and my passenger window will move about 1/4" down and stop before I have to release the button to have it go only another 1/4" down, and will not move up either.

I checked continuity just as the TSRM describes, and it all checks out alright except for the fact that up and down are reversed on the passenger switch...I removed the driver side door trim and it sounds as if something is trying to move, but nothing will when I push the button. All visible wiring seems to be intact as well. When I picked the car up, both windows moved up and down freely...which is really confusing me.

I'm not looking forward to shelling out $400 I don't have in window motors, so if there's something else that could be causing me trouble I'd like to know.
 

whudafux

Formerly dcrusupra
Jan 5, 2006
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Cullowhee, NC
www.myspace.com
This usually is the problem, not sure if you have done this yet but if you take the switch apart you'll see two little metal pieces. The ends of them where they come in contact with the contact points are usually dirty. Just file them a little with a nail filer to clean off the contact points. It worked for mine. Maybe this is your problem.
 

mrnickleye

Love My Daily Driver !
Jun 8, 2005
825
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Mojave Desert, Ca
And if you remove the whole door pane, be sure and clean all the moving parts and tracks with spray brake cleaner. I recommend lubing with synthetic brake caliper grease. It stays slippery WAY better than spray lithium grease.

I did mine 3 years ago because it was getting very sticky, and it still works like new.:biglaugh:
 

tsuper92

supra addict
Apr 7, 2005
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mass
it always seems to be the switch's.the motor's are easy to test.there only two wire.run a pos. and neg. to the motor.switch the wire's back and forth to make it go up and down.
 

Silvasoup

New Member
May 12, 2005
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Florida
This is a very common problem with the MK3 and the culprit is usually the switch contacts becoming oxidized. You can try and do the above as mentioned or you can buy some electrical contact cleaner sold in auto parts stores and also Radio Shack. I found the best results using the contact cleaner and soaking the whole switch in the spray liquid over night in a small cup. If this does not work I was able to purchase replacement window switches on Ebay. No need to remove the door panels when checking the switch. The face plates holding the switch pop out using a very small thin screw driver.

BTW the window switches are not the only thing that has had this problem as I have had this problem with my heated mirror contact leads, mirror adjustment switches and tail lamp sockets. All of the above problems were fixed using the contact cleaner (great stuff).
 
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wingman

sucka got blammed!
Sep 11, 2005
427
0
0
35
Phoenix, AZ
i loosely filed all the contacts, but I'll give it a second go tomorrow with some of that contact cleaner, then hit it with the files again and see how it works out. I'll also take the door panels off again and clean/relube all the tracks, because I'm thinking that might be another major culprit. Thanks for your help everyone!