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Driver Side Window Problems 1987 GT

  • Thread starter Thread starter Star827
  • Start date Start date May 7, 2022

Star827

Member
May 7, 2022
8
2
13
Arizona
May 7, 2022
#1
  • May 7, 2022
  • #1
Hello,

I recently got a 1987 GT hatchback and it is the first real project car I have ever had. Since I am new to working on cars and I really love this car I have been a little worried about taking things apart because I don't want to run the risk of breaking irreplaceable parts. However, I recently ran into the problem where I rolled my driver side window down and then it didn't roll back up and I could use some help from more experienced individuals to find a fix for it. I took the door panel off and was able to test the motor for the power window and I found that it was working. I was thinking the next thing that could be wrong is the switches or some of the wiring in the door jam. I was wondering if anyone knows a good way to access the wiring in the door jam or knows if there is a way for me to test the switches. The passenger side window and the power locks still work. Thank you!
 

Star827

Member
May 7, 2022
8
2
13
Arizona
May 7, 2022
#2
  • May 7, 2022
  • #2
Update: I put the window motor back in and the switches worked and the window started going up and down again. However, it is very clunky and goes up and down roughly. Would this be caused by the motor or by the arm that brings it up and down. There don't appear to be any cogs missing on the motor gear or the larger gear attached to the motor.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
Aug 25, 2016
27,827
10,508
203
polk county florida
May 7, 2022
#3
  • May 7, 2022
  • #3
Pull the window motor out, take off the plate holding the gear in, lift the gear out, you will see a bunch of debris, all greasy with chunks. Clean it all out and replace the pucks and pack it with grease. You can get the pucks from most auto parts store, there are three of them. They can be fun to install, they have to be installed all at the same time. Replace the plate and test it before you put it back in the door.
 
Reactions: Star827

Star827

Member
May 7, 2022
8
2
13
Arizona
May 8, 2022
#4
  • May 8, 2022
  • #4
Ok thanks! I will pull the motor back out tomorrow and take a closer look. I appreciate the advice!
 
B

BrewsterGT

Member
May 6, 2022
18
3
13
Burleson, Texas
May 8, 2022
#5
  • May 8, 2022
  • #5
Have the same problem with mine right now. Need to do the same thing.
 

Star827

Member
May 7, 2022
8
2
13
Arizona
May 8, 2022
#6
  • May 8, 2022
  • #6
I just replaced the gear plugs in the window motor and the window works great! Thanks again!
 
Reactions: Potomus Pete

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
Aug 25, 2016
27,827
10,508
203
polk county florida
May 8, 2022
#7
  • May 8, 2022
  • #7
Star827 said:
I just replaced the gear plugs in the window motor and the window works great! Thanks again!
Click to expand...
and another satisfied customer
 
Reactions: JAA and limp

mattys91gt

Active Member
Feb 3, 2022
391
26
38
Plymouth Massachusetts
Aug 22, 2022
#8
  • Aug 22, 2022
  • #8
so my passenger window goes down fine but the door won't lock with the key and power door locks don't work and the driver's window goes up and down when it wants to
 

rednotch

I'd like to remain having one chocolate starfish
Founding Member
Aug 14, 2000
1,381
618
143
south jersey
Aug 22, 2022
#9
  • Aug 22, 2022
  • #9
The stock style door actuators where horrible with seizing, basically need to take it all apart, clean switch contacts, rebuild the window motors, replace or repair the actuators and lube everything up. Cars are old and most stuff is worn out, switch contacts have corrosion and all the plastics are brittle. If i have to dig in the doors on these cars i like to do it all at the same time especially the cheap plastic stuff. its also good time to replace the window guide bushings, run channel liners and door pin hardware, plus respray the window/door frames and mirror in trim black while its apart.
 

mattys91gt

Active Member
Feb 3, 2022
391
26
38
Plymouth Massachusetts
Aug 22, 2022
#10
  • Aug 22, 2022
  • #10
rednotch said:
The stock style door actuators where horrible with seizing, basically need to take it all apart, clean switch contacts, rebuild the window motors, replace or repair the actuators and lube everything up. Cars are old and most stuff is worn out, switch contacts have corrosion and all the plastics are brittle. If i have to dig in the doors on these cars i like to do it all at the same time especially the cheap plastic stuff. its also good time to replace the window guide bushings, run channel liners and door pin hardware, plus respray the window/door frames and mirror in trim black while its apart.
Click to expand...
I took the switches off and the door panel and gave the thing with teeth a good smack and it went back to working and yes both my window guides need to be replaced anything rubber needs to be replaced the car sat since 2014 or longer till I got it last summer,this car has me going crazy cause I've never worked on a car before 96
 

rednotch

I'd like to remain having one chocolate starfish
Founding Member
Aug 14, 2000
1,381
618
143
south jersey
Aug 22, 2022
#11
  • Aug 22, 2022
  • #11
Lol, its not hard cleaning them up once you get them running right. Its just all the little nickels and dimes ya, about $200 and a few hours labor will have power doors working and looking like new again if the panels aren't trashed. I've been using cheap aftermarket universal actuators for power locks as they last way longer then the oem style repo's and cost less the $10 for a pair, window motors are an easy cheap fix if its just the gear and bushings.
 

mattys91gt

Active Member
Feb 3, 2022
391
26
38
Plymouth Massachusetts
Aug 22, 2022
#12
  • Aug 22, 2022
  • #12
rednotch said:
Lol, its not hard cleaning them up once you get them running right. Its just all the little nickels and dimes ya, about $200 and a few hours labor will have power doors working and looking like new again if the panels aren't trashed. I've been using cheap aftermarket universal actuators for power locks as they last way longer then the oem style repo's and cost less the $10 for a pair, window motors are an easy cheap fix if its just the gear and bushings.
Click to expand...
it's mostly motor stuff that needs help every gasket needs to be replaced the car had a 2014 sticker on it when I got it last year I've done what I can so far but other repairs I've never done before
 

limp

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done
5 Year Member
Oct 4, 2020
5,457
2,889
173
Florida
Aug 24, 2022
#13
  • Aug 24, 2022
  • #13
mattys91gt said:
it's mostly motor stuff that needs help every gasket needs to be replaced the car had a 2014 sticker on it when I got it last year I've done what I can so far but other repairs I've never done before
Click to expand...
How do you think all of us older guys learned how to do it?? And that was before the Internet where u can now ask for help??
 

mattys91gt

Active Member
Feb 3, 2022
391
26
38
Plymouth Massachusetts
Aug 24, 2022
#14
  • Aug 24, 2022
  • #14
limp said:
How do you think all of us older guys learned how to do it?? And that was before the Internet where u can now ask for help??
Click to expand...
that's very true I just don't have the friends I used to that would help with cars and doing this on the tar is killing my back everyone is so busy which I understand I just need someone that knows what's wrong just by looking at the motor but it was the only mustang I could find
 
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