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power window motor removal

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Old Jul 5, 2013 | 03:41 PM
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Default power window motor removal

I have a '79 that the passenger side window is stuck in the "DOWN" position. The window was working fine before with no warning of failure. All of the searches give info on how to replace the motor with the window "UP". I have removed the door panel and access panel to the motor and have verified voltage at the plug to the motor. The regulator and channels were removed and regreased about 10 yrs ago. How do I removed the motor with the window in the down position? Can I just remove the motor without taking everything else out?

Thanks, Mark
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Old Jul 5, 2013 | 03:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Tu-Blanc
I have a '79 that the passenger side window is stuck in the "DOWN" position. The window was working fine before with no warning of failure. All of the searches give info on how to replace the motor with the window "UP". I have removed the door panel and access panel to the motor and have verified voltage at the plug to the motor. The regulator and channels were removed and regreased about 10 yrs ago. How do I removed the motor with the window in the down position? Can I just remove the motor without taking everything else out?

Thanks, Mark
Are you sure the motor is dead?
In the POS I'm restoring, Bubba decided to weld the axis that link the regulator two arm. Needless to say it was barely moving, when I got is out of the car, I had to use a hammer to make to move.
Still the motor could still move up and down the window, only it was blowing fuses VERY frequently.
So those motor can take A LOT of abuse, and I'd first check the fuse before asserting the motor is dead.

Ok, maybe you already checked that and i'm a idiot, but better safe than sorry.
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Old Jul 5, 2013 | 11:12 PM
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You verified voltage is getting there... but is the battery gauge deflecting when you hit the up switch? If it is then the motor is trying to run and in a bind. If not, then run a jumper ground to the motor case and see if this gets it going..

If not....

Before you remove any of the bolts on the power window motor regulator... spray paint the heads of all the bolts so that when you go back together you'll know exactly where it was... There are four on the regulator to door, and then six on top the door, two stops at the bottom of the run channels, two on top... all these should be marked before you do anything.

Now as for the motor.. You'll need to get the glass up. So, after painting the heads take the four regulator to door bolts and loosen them up (just a bit)... Then hit the power window switch and see if the motor moves the glass up. When the regulator or glass is in a bind, sometimes doing this will free it up.

Willcox
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Old Jul 6, 2013 | 01:47 PM
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Thanks for the reply. When I hit the switch, the battery gauge deflects and the interior light dims also, so this would mean the motor is in a bind? That makes sense because the window was working perfectly before. So if I loosen the 4 regulator to door bolts a bit, this may allow the window to move? Could the window be down too far, regulator stuck or motor in a bind? Painting the bolts is to make sure they are tightened back correctly when the marks line up?

Thanks cor the help,
Mark
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Old Jul 6, 2013 | 03:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Tu-Blanc
Thanks for the reply. When I hit the switch, the battery gauge deflects and the interior light dims also, so this would mean the motor is in a bind? That makes sense because the window was working perfectly before. So if I loosen the 4 regulator to door bolts a bit, this may allow the window to move? Could the window be down too far, regulator stuck or motor in a bind? Painting the bolts is to make sure they are tightened back correctly when the marks line up?

Thanks cor the help,
Mark
That's very possible or the motor might be filled with crud! Take the door panel off and push on the metal rail (not the glass!) with a broom handle or screwdriver, while working the switch. Do not stick your hands in there while working the switch.
You should be able to get it to go up and take the motor out. Some use vise grips to hold the window in the up position. Clamp them on the rail without kinking it.
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Old Jul 6, 2013 | 03:35 PM
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
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Originally Posted by Tu-Blanc
Thanks for the reply. When I hit the switch, the battery gauge deflects and the interior light dims also, so this would mean the motor is in a bind? That makes sense because the window was working perfectly before. So if I loosen the 4 regulator to door bolts a bit, this may allow the window to move? Could the window be down too far, regulator stuck or motor in a bind? Painting the bolts is to make sure they are tightened back correctly when the marks line up?

Thanks cor the help,
Mark
It's possible for sure.. and worth the try. Yes it is possible the door went too far down and the teeth on the regulator over-ran. See if loosening up the four bolts sets it free... worth a try.
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Old Jul 9, 2013 | 12:07 AM
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UPDATE: The motor was indeed in a bind and not fried! Evidentally the window \ regulator had dropped below the lower stop ( probably due to the roads in S. La. ) causing the bind. I pushed \ pried on the regulator arms a bit, hit the switch and it worked! I inspected everything else and all is good.

Thanks for all of the input Guys
Mark
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