With warmer temps hopefully around the corner (not holding my breath!), I figured it was about time to address a couple of problems I've been having with the power windows and locks. Could really use some advice/tips.
First - the power locks are very difficult to open and close, either with a key on the outside, pushing or pulling the plunger on the inside, or trying to use the electric switch (pretty much ineffective). Would a good cleaning and re-greasing take care of this?
Second - late last fall I had the driver's side window down. When I tried to close it, it hit something hard enough in the door to prevent it from going up. If I slammed the door closed a few times, it would eventually release and go up. Anyone have trouble like this?

I'd like to hit these problems at the same time and hopefully be prepared ahead of time instead of stumbling blindly in. Are there any parts I need to get while I have the door panels off? Was looking at new anti-rattle clips, but don't know much about them.

Any ideas?

 

I too am interested in tips for repair of window alignment and power locks... please advise.

Thanks in advance.

 

I had a problem with my passenger side lock. It would stick enough to not open using the button but you could still pull it open.. I opened up the panel and greesed everything related to the lock.. I pushed back the bootie on the lock actuator to make sure I got greese in there too.. Made a big difference. I also had a bad connection on the drivers side button.. Bubba just wedged a wire into the plastic housing so I wasn't getting a good connection as well.. With a new clip on the wire on the drivers side and some greese on the arm she works pretty good. Using my key is a little tough but then again, I didn't greese the drivers side.. :cry As far as the window sticking.. once you have the panel off you can see what's going on. I removed my passenger side window to retighten the mirror. I held off doing that for a long time cause I was afraid I'd bust up the glass or something.. It was really pretty easy. Learned a lot about how the window works. Once you look inside you should be able to see what's catching. Now adjusting the window is another job which I'm still not happy with. I get noise.. It may be that I need new rubber but I adjusted so tight that it's hard to close the door. I'm going back in over the weekend.. :smash:

BTW, when you remove the door panel you'll have to remove the access plate that is in the lower center of the door to see the lock actuator.. There's about 8 small bolts and a couple big ones too.. They don't hold anything on the inside.. :)


[Modified by Koz, 11:38 AM 4/25/2002]


[Modified by Koz, 11:38 AM 4/25/2002]

 

Koz - thanks for the tips. I'm at least lucky that the window motors work properly. Restored a 68 T-Bird in a prior life and tore out half of my hair trying to get those things to work!

Any cures for the rattling/squeaking of windows when they are all the way up? If I drop it down just a bit, the squeaking stops. Strange...

 

Squeaking means somethings rubbing.. :jester I'm guessing, based on the window getting stuck down some times, that your guide is broken or the wheel on the guide is gone..ie broken.. and it's rubbing on the upper window stopper which is metal on metal and squeaking.. The post from the broken guide could also be getting stuck in the track when the window is down too.. Shaking the door frees it up.. It's a place to start looking anyway! If the wheel is intact then grease up the tracks and see if that helps. Let me know what you find..

 

i had trouble with my locks .the first time the passenger door lock worked real hard ,the day after i took it to the car wash .water had got in to the lock actuator, it had no rubber boot replaced actuator and boot .2 time drivers door lock worked hard,had to clean and grease all the moving parts from lock to the actuator.have had window out to repair the window gear .not hard just alot of time and hard to see inside door ,best to have a helper.