where to start with windows

[bowserhound]

I have electric power windows but only one of them seems to work -slow. Before I start ripping everything apart, is there a typical problem with these windows, or I guess, where should I start troubleshooting?

Thanks

[Harley Eaton]

I would say start with the switches. They are often trouble. Lift the switch plate from the console and jumper past the switches to see if switches are the problem. After that, it's time to remove the door panels...

[bowserhound]

I'll try that. I took the switches out of the console and half of them (wires and such) look new. Sadly, the one that works is old.

I've never been real handy with electrical work, but I guess this is a good place to start!

[SCUMDOG]

Doing the same myself - there is a 'live' wire that looks like it has been assed on, it attaches to the brass strips on the back of the main window switches, is this normal?
It seems odd too that the connecting plugs have three connections but only two wires get to the switch???

[Harley Eaton]

Two of the switches will have a three wire plugs; two will have two wire plugs. Three wire plugs go to door windows; two wire plugs go to quarter windows. There is a buss bar connecting..

[bowserhound]

well, the switches tested fine. I'm now in the daunting process of removing the motor from the door to test it.

[SCUMDOG]

Likewise!

I suspect something is not right with the wiring as when I tested the wires by hooking up power to the 'outside' terminal of the three-wire plug in the door it made the centre terminal 'live' on the three-wire plug at the console switch end, any ideas anybody??

[Harley Eaton]

What color wire was on the "outside" terminal? The black wire is ground; the red wire is up; the yellow wire is down. You should be applying power to the wires from the MOTOR.. not the chassis.

[SCUMDOG]

I never noticed what the colors were (will go out now and try the window using you color description for the appropriate wires) but it seemed like the wires 'crossed over' in the loom from the driver door at one end and the console switch at the other.

Can't wait for my workshop manual to arrive - it will save a few questions on this site!
Thanks to all who offer advice, much appreciated.

[bowserhound]

I know what youre saying about the wires being crossed. In the door I have a grey wire instead of one of the three colors at the switch (cant recall which one changed to grey). It looks like the wires arent directly ran from the switch to the motor in the door? Where to they meet?

Also, I ran 12V to the motor with not even a sound. Still trying to remove it to see if it might be binding somewhere, but dang, that thing is hard to get out!

[Harley Eaton]

The wire in the door are red, yellow and gray. Gray being ground. You don't have a ground wire at the switch. The switch wires are red, yellow and black. Black being hot or power.

[Joe Vandatta]

If you need them, and I think you will, bran new window motors are available at The Bird Nest in Portland Or.

[bowserhound]

I see that The Bird Nest sells a 1960-1966 Power Window Relay (on firewall). Could somebody explain where on the firewall this is? I can't seem to find it in the shop manual.

[dans65]

i believe it sits just to the passenger side of the center of the firewall.

[Harley Eaton]

On 1965/66 it's located directly behind the engine on the firewall. Three wires go to it.