1982 Power Window
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
1982 Power Window
Last Saturday night I drove my car home, pushed both drive and passenger side window buttons and both window went up fine. One week later I get in the car and pushed both drive and passenger buttons, but the drivers side window would not go down.
Could shutting the door the week before actually knock a wire loose or cause the power window motor to quit working?
Could shutting the door the week before actually knock a wire loose or cause the power window motor to quit working?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Boston Massachusetts
You have to remember that these 82s are now 25 years old. Anything can happen at any time. The power window in my 82 failed just as quickly as yours with no warning. My lift motor still runs, I think my regulator is gone.
Good luck,
Tom
Good luck,
Tom
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
ON my '79 I replaced the passenger switch twice already (within 1,5 years time). So even new (yes, or. GM switches) stuff can break down suddenly. Very annoying according to my girlfriend at least 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Yes you could have knocked something loose. Open the door a wiggle the wires that pass through from the door jam while flicking the switch. Common place there for a wire to break.
Try slamming the door shut...I have heard that works too.
Jim
Try slamming the door shut...I have heard that works too.
Jim
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Thanks. I have had the car for only 3 months and these little things keep popping up. With only 32,000 miles I guess it's true that not driving the car will still wear parts out. Had to fix the passenger door handle shortly after I got it since it wasn't used the handle wasn't functioning all the way.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Also check the up/down toggle switch to see if a wire came off of that, or if the contacts are still connecting. maybe try to switch it with your passenger side to see if the window functions.
Ken
Ken
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Prairieville LA
My problem was with the wiring connection to the power window motor. When you take the door panel off, remove the metal plate that covers the motor. Unplug the connector and check the voltage while operating the switch in both directions. That should tell you if the problem is upstream or downstream of the connection.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 2
From: North Royaton Ohio
My problem was with the wiring connection to the power window motor. When you take the door panel off, remove the metal plate that covers the motor. Unplug the connector and check the voltage while operating the switch in both directions. That should tell you if the problem is upstream or downstream of the connection.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
I just fixed this problem yesturday. I did an engine swap and didn't touch the windows for about 3 weeks. When I parked the car the windows were down, and when I started it and tried to put the window up, nothing happened on the driver's side. My first thought was the motor was burned out or there was a loose connection. After seeing all the connections were good, I gave the electric motor a few good whacks with a small hammer, and wouldn't you know it, the window went right up.
Your car's 25 years old. Sometimes things just need a little nudge to get going again.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 1
From: St Augustine FL
Yup....Thats how I get things going when my power locks quit working....just slam the door. It kind of like hitting the old tv to keep the picture from rolling.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Rochester New York
Yep
Egg-sactly same thing with my '81 - harness came undone just enough to leave the driver's window up on a 95 degree friday and it was the only car I had to get me to a place that was closing so I could get a trailer harness for the Jeep that was in pieces and undriveable until it was fixed so I could take my trailer to get weighed and registered at the dmv before they closed too.
Found that out after checking all the switches and wiring in the console first.
gotta love old cars
Egg-sactly same thing with my '81 - harness came undone just enough to leave the driver's window up on a 95 degree friday and it was the only car I had to get me to a place that was closing so I could get a trailer harness for the Jeep that was in pieces and undriveable until it was fixed so I could take my trailer to get weighed and registered at the dmv before they closed too.
Found that out after checking all the switches and wiring in the console first.
gotta love old cars
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: New Braunfels Texas
My PW on my '82 will not go down if the doors are shut, and will only roll up to a certain point, about 1/4 of an inch below the weatherstripping. When the window is up and you try to roll down, the motor will engage and move a tiny bit but then just stops, open the doors no problem. On the upward motion it will roll up with doors closed but stops short. Both sides do this. I thought that maybe it is hitting the weatherstripping, so I checked and don't see it binding anywhere. Why would it roll down only a little bit and then just stop?
Is this normal. In my cousin's '82 his will roll up or down with doors shut. I am confused!
Is this normal. In my cousin's '82 his will roll up or down with doors shut. I am confused!
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Arlington TX
I just tried putting a new rubber squegee thingy on my passenger window yesterday after lubing it up a little to get it running better. After that it was real slow and wouldn't go up all the way either, so after lots of adjustment and still nothing, I ripped the new rubber off and presto, its like a gillotine (sp?)
It was sticking to the new rubber that didn't fit right anyways. now if i could just get my drivers window to seal right i'd be great.
It was sticking to the new rubber that didn't fit right anyways. now if i could just get my drivers window to seal right i'd be great.
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Last Saturday night I drove my car home, pushed both drive and passenger side window buttons and both window went up fine. One week later I get in the car and pushed both drive and passenger buttons, but the drivers side window would not go down.
Could shutting the door the week before actually knock a wire loose or cause the power window motor to quit working?
Could shutting the door the week before actually knock a wire loose or cause the power window motor to quit working?
Roger
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,354
Likes: 214
From: Beecher Illinois
The contacts in the window switches on the console get burned over time, drivers side obviously quicker than the pass side.
If you open a switch up you'll see it's nothing but a couple of copper leaves pushed together by a lever. You can sand off the burn marks and close the switch back up and it will be as good as new(probably better than a new repro).
With it clamped in a vise use a screwdriver and hammer to stake over the edges of the housing to hold it back together.
If you open a switch up you'll see it's nothing but a couple of copper leaves pushed together by a lever. You can sand off the burn marks and close the switch back up and it will be as good as new(probably better than a new repro).
With it clamped in a vise use a screwdriver and hammer to stake over the edges of the housing to hold it back together.