Driver Side Window Problems 1987 GT

[Star827]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Star827]

Ok thanks! I will pull the motor back out tomorrow and take a closer look. I appreciate the advice!

 

[BrewsterGT]

Have the same problem with mine right now. Need to do the same thing.

 

[Star827]

I just replaced the gear plugs in the window motor and the window works great! Thanks again!

 

[General karthief]

I just replaced the gear plugs in the window motor and the window works great! Thanks again!

and another satisfied customer

 

[mattys91gt]

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]

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]

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.

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]

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]

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.

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]

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

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]

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??

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