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Suspected Power Window Switch Issue

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Old 04-14-2021, 09:50 AM
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Suspected Power Window Switch Issue

Hi guys, I've got an '84 TA, standard trans, and have both door panels off, having replaced both window motors. I noticed the passenger side rolls down fine, but going up was hit and miss, and when I hooked up the new motor before installing in the door, it does the exact same thing, goes down without issue, but you may have to fiddle with the switch a handful of times until the motor engages.

I noticed that once it engages upwards, the motor will sometimes slow down (again not even installed in the door yet). I'm by no means an electrician, so wanted to get your thoughts on what the potential issues could be.

I've got the console unbolted so I can get my hand to the underside of the switch, but I'm having a real hard time getting the tabs off of the switch so that I can pull it up and out to inspect the switch points. I see the previous owner apparently tried to jam a flat head screw driver under the switch and punched a small hole in the console doing so.

Does this sound like a switch issue, ground issue, or something else entirely? (I did notice a lot of mouse crap in the area under the switches, but general inspection of the wiring in that area, all the wires appear to be unchewed and intact)

Last edited by LoganKello; 04-14-2021 at 10:01 AM.
Old 04-14-2021, 12:15 PM
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Re: Suspected Power Window Switch Issue

The connecters to the window switches are notorious for corroding because of where they are. Spill one drink on the console, or leave the T-tops off in the rain and it all runs down into the connectors causing poor contact and therefore less power to the motor. The fact that GM put full power through the switches (no relays) doesn't help matters. You will probably find green terminals at the switch.
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Old 04-14-2021, 09:14 PM
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Re: Suspected Power Window Switch Issue

Originally Posted by soloc4
The connecters to the window switches are notorious for corroding because of where they are. Spill one drink on the console, or leave the T-tops off in the rain and it all runs down into the connectors causing poor contact and therefore less power to the motor. The fact that GM put full power through the switches (no relays) doesn't help matters. You will probably find green terminals at the switch.
Ok, so I finally got the switch apart, and the points definitely had gunk on them. I sanded them clean and then also did the individual terminals inside of the connector.

I plugged the new window motor in and it still acted the same (maybe marginally better). Upon examination the only thing I could see is that on the underside of the switch, one of the copper “circles” has oxidized and turned green.

Is it likely that this would be the issue?



Underside of the switch, one of the circular points looks oxidized (green).

The connectors clearly were not helping the situation.
Old 04-19-2021, 04:35 PM
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Switching Subjects


You can identify the problem with a voltmeter.

Use a low cost analogue meter because they respond fastest.

Monitor the voltage to the motor, AT THE MOTOR.

if it's steady the problem is not the switch.

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Old 04-19-2021, 04:44 PM
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Re: Switching Subjects

Originally Posted by NINÅ

You can identify the problem with a voltmeter.

Use a low cost analogue meter because they respond fastest.

Monitor the voltage to the motor, AT THE MOTOR.

if it's steady the problem is not the switch.


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Happy Racing!
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Ya Say Snow Won't Melt On Those "Modern" Headlights?, Use Normal 【Incandescent】 Headlights, And The Problem Goes Away
I actually pulled the drivers side switch and tried it on the passenger side and it worked. So went ahead and ordered a replacement switch, I’m thinking it will hopefully address the issue.
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