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Power Window Relay or Switches

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Old Feb 6, 2012 | 10:32 AM
  #1  
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Default Power Window Relay or Switches

My car (1971) was in pieces when I got it two and half years ago with many parts missing. Well I have started assembling the power windows over the last weekend and with everything assembled they did not work. Tested the motors(wired direct) and both work. I have power from the 30amp fuse on the firewall and from the fuse panel. It appears to be either the switches or the relay. Would I be assuming correctly that to test the switches I need to just jump the connectors that pug into the switches? Is there a way to test the relay? Could I be missing something else?

Thanks, Scott
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Old Feb 6, 2012 | 11:12 AM
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You can use a continuity meter to check the switches. I don't recall if the relay needs power to activate. I would use a 12v trouble light to make sure you are getting power to switches, relay & motor. If all this checks ok then it gets more involved with checking voltage drops to find the problem.
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Old Feb 6, 2012 | 12:22 PM
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Rip, It looks like it might be the relay there is no power getting to the switches from the it. I tested these circuits with a test light. The relay has three terminals tested as follows.

1) From the fuse panel to the relay the power is good.
2) From 30 amp fuse from the horn relay the power to the relay is good.
3) The Terminal at the relay to the switches has no power.

any thoughts?
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Old Feb 6, 2012 | 12:54 PM
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follow the wires from known good power to known problem area.
you should be able to hear/feel the relay click or turn on, and be able to measure 12dc coming out of the relay. I believe when you turn the igintion key on.
(you did turn the key on right ? )
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Old Feb 6, 2012 | 01:05 PM
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Originally Posted by 69Vett
follow the wires from known good power to known problem area.
you should be able to hear/feel the relay click or turn on, and be able to measure 12dc coming out of the relay. I believe when you turn the igintion key on.
(you did turn the key on right ? )
Yes ignition is on, the power source is good to the relay (both terminals) No clicking and no power out.

I wonder if I can open the relay and clean the contact points?
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Old Feb 6, 2012 | 02:50 PM
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Yes, you can bend the retaining tabs back, and remove the can,
then access the contacts for cleaning and testing.
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Old Feb 6, 2012 | 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by 69Vett
Yes, you can bend the retaining tabs back, and remove the can,
then access the contacts for cleaning and testing.
Thanks, I will make a run at it sometime this week.
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Old Feb 7, 2012 | 01:30 PM
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Mystery solved.... after looking closer at the relay I discovered that it is (was) the incorrect relay. Scary part is the connectors from the harness to the terminals hooked right up. I opened it up and the insides just crumbled. Ordering the correct relay.
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