1973 Power Window Problem
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
1973 Power Window Problem
So my driver side window stopped working. Every now & again it will go down &/or up but not every time. I owned the car for 3 years. All original & it hadn't had a window problem until about 2 weeks ago. I bought a window motor & installed it assuming it was the problem but it was not. For my next step should I start with the wiring harness or should I replace the switch?
Also, The passenger side works fine. It's only the driver side
Also, The passenger side works fine. It's only the driver side
Last edited by TheJinx; Jun 22, 2016 at 01:11 AM. Reason: addition to post
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,495
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Start thinking diagnostics first, then parts replacement.
You have replaced the power window motor, so let's assume that is now good (but it might not have been bad in the first place).
While you were replacing the motor, did you clean and re-lubricate the window mechanism? Did you check for bad soft / firm parts (nylon roller wheels in the tracks, etc)?
One quick check of the switch itself is to swap the wiring side to side, so that the passenger side switch operates the driver side window.
If the problem moves to the other window, then the switch is a likely suspect. If the problem remains the same, it isn't the switch.
I have been into these windows many times, and generally one of four things are the culprit, in this order:
1. Power window motor is going bad. This seems like it turns out to be the biggest issue. Driver side window gets used a lot more than passenger side window.
2. Window mechanism needs maintenance. The old grease / dirt / and crap that builds up over the years needs to be cleaned out and the mechanism re-lubricated. AS a general rule, I replace the window nylon rollers etc. at the same time. They are cheap, and even if they look OK now, the are still as old as the car.
3. Window switch is bad. The test above will quickly determine if that is the case.
4. Window wiring (including ground circuit). A couple of wires and a hand held switch can easily be rigged up to bypass the entire wiring system for diagnostics purposes.
Good luck, and keep us informed.
You have replaced the power window motor, so let's assume that is now good (but it might not have been bad in the first place).
While you were replacing the motor, did you clean and re-lubricate the window mechanism? Did you check for bad soft / firm parts (nylon roller wheels in the tracks, etc)?
One quick check of the switch itself is to swap the wiring side to side, so that the passenger side switch operates the driver side window.
If the problem moves to the other window, then the switch is a likely suspect. If the problem remains the same, it isn't the switch.
I have been into these windows many times, and generally one of four things are the culprit, in this order:
1. Power window motor is going bad. This seems like it turns out to be the biggest issue. Driver side window gets used a lot more than passenger side window.
2. Window mechanism needs maintenance. The old grease / dirt / and crap that builds up over the years needs to be cleaned out and the mechanism re-lubricated. AS a general rule, I replace the window nylon rollers etc. at the same time. They are cheap, and even if they look OK now, the are still as old as the car.
3. Window switch is bad. The test above will quickly determine if that is the case.
4. Window wiring (including ground circuit). A couple of wires and a hand held switch can easily be rigged up to bypass the entire wiring system for diagnostics purposes.
Good luck, and keep us informed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
open the door and pull and wiggle the tubing that the wiring harness goes through while holding the window switch either up or down. Commonly the ground wire in there breaks.
Sully
Sully
