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1971 Power window ground?

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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 02:56 PM
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Default 1971 Power window ground?

I just purchased a '71 and the driver's window only worked when the door was closed. I took the door panel off to adjust the door handle linkage - reassembled the panel - and now it doesn't work at all - open or closed. I'm thinking I must have disturbed the weak connection. Passenger window works fine - open or closed. I'll take it apart again and check with a meter. I was interested to see if anyone had this open/closed door issue?
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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 03:42 PM
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reach in between the front opening of the door and the door pillar and grab the black tubing where the wires enter the door to go to the window motor. Pull it forward or move it around a bit and I will bet the window will work. More than likely the wires are damaged in that area.

hope that helps,

Sully
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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 03:44 PM
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My first guess would possibly be a short in the wire harness maybe in or close to the conduit. The door is open the wire pulls apart. The door closes and the wire comes together? Just a thought.

Sully your quicker than me

Last edited by Roco71; Dec 30, 2011 at 04:18 PM.
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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 05:53 PM
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Sounds like a good place to start -I'll take a closer look over the weekend and update. Thanks for the info.
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Old Dec 31, 2011 | 12:23 PM
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I tested the switch by swapping to the pass window and it worked fine. I then checked ohm resistence from the wire at the switch to the motor and found it was dead - so there was a break in the wire somewhere. As I disconnected the wire from the window motor it just pulled out from the jamb sleeve - a clean break. Good call on the location! Everything is fixed and the window works great - both with the door open and closed

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Old Dec 31, 2011 | 12:34 PM
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You're missing the black rubber conduit between the hinge post and the door. PW wiring harness passes through it and into the door. It protects the wiring harness.

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Old Dec 31, 2011 | 02:11 PM
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Thanks - The conduit was in place - I removed it for the picture. I guess 40 years of back and forth finally broke the wires. The conduit was 'tweaked' a bit in the middle, so the wires would make contact when the door was closed. Next on the list are the wipers - the trap door opens and closes great, but the wipers are dead. I'll dig through old threads for help first.
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Old Jan 1, 2012 | 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by drk1313
...Next on the list are the wipers - the trap door opens and closes great, but the wipers are dead...
Fuse first. Here, second:



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Old Jan 4, 2012 | 12:37 PM
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awesome, glad you found the break and got it fixed! Do just like EasyMike suggests and check that switch for the wipers. With the car off you should be able to lift the wiper door into the open position and have a better look into the mechanism for the wipers. GL and let us know what you find.

Sully
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Old Jan 4, 2012 | 12:56 PM
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I discovered the wipers work from the dash switch, but only after you turn on the power via the over-ride switch. At least I know the wiper motor is OK. I just have to sort the sequence of the whole process.
Thanks!
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