rear window is confusing me?
 

i have the classic problem that my rear switch for my rear driver window works intermitantly. the one up front always works however. The only thing differant about my situation is that the ribbed rubber things that go between the body and door seem to be in great condition and have no cracks what-so ever. Can shorting out still occur? thanks
Ryan

Ryan:

Have you replaced the switch? The most usual problem here is a bad switch. Otherwise, check the wireing at the switch and the two connections in the door. If they are loose, the window will work like your sunroof.

Window motors can go bad, too. You can check this by taking the motor off the regulator (carefully!!!! there is a strong spring on the regulator that holds the window up that can slam the regulator "closed", and if your fingers are in it, you get cut!) and check the side play on the gear. If it has much play, it is shot -- the brushes won't contact the commutator all the time, and it won't move -- usually at the top or bottom of travel.

Peter

thanks for the reply, however i don't think it is the motor. I have had absolutely no problems with the window when operating it from the center console switch, only when you try to use it by using the back seat controled switch. If you open and close the door the back seat switch will start working again. When I had the regulator out of the car to replace the slide mechanism, i bench tested the motor and all seemed well. very smooth with very minimal play. I"m thinking this has to be eaither the switch in the back seat going out or some sort of wiring problem. Or maybe you are correct and my window motor is on it's way out(i cringe at that thought:( ) thanks
Ryan

Ryan:

Check the rear window lockout switch on the console! It will disable the rear windows (to prevent children from playing with them, etc), and if it is bad or loose, will intermittently prevent rear window operation.

Peter

Ahhhhh you may be on to something there. I'll give that a go, thanks
Ryan

Ryan:

If that doesn't fix it, check the back of the connector in the door -- if the back cover for the connector is off, the wires can crawl off the pins on the switch.

Peter

confusing rear window
 

I would bet a lot of money (up to $10) that your problem is the classic shorting out of electric wires where they pass from body into door. The rubber boot will look fine, but inside the wire insulation gives way due to constant flexing. A good way to test this is when the rear switch is not working, open the door and try it..chances are it will now work because you moved the wires around there. Believe me....a "confusing rear window" problem is almost certainly due to this....

Remove rear panel, remove wire harness from motor to give slack, pull out rubber boot and you will find cracks in wire insulation. Fix by soldering in sections of new wire (proper guage) and insulating with heat shrink tubing.

good luck
mark

shorting wires
 

I forgot to say, the wires do not short to the body..the insulation comes off and the wires touch each other.

My rear door had exactly the same problem...intermittant malfunctions: console switch would work, rear would not; sometimes rear switch would work to lower window, but then couldnt raise window by either console or door switch. Then if I opened the door and tried the switch, the window may work. At othertimes window would work fine.

I finally pulled rubber boot/harness out to have a look and the problem was VERY obvious. Soldered in new sections, never had a problem again.