Slow electric windows???

Was just wondering if anyone had any ideas about where to start looking on the car if the windows are slow to go up and down. I know that this is a common problem in GTA's and i am assuming its got something to do with a bad earth. Has anyone else had the same problem or got any ideas on the easiest way to fix it. Mine are pretty bad and sometimes need to be 'pulled up' to close...

[stephendell]

The easiest & best fix is to fit a new motor/regulator unit each side!

The supply to the motor is usually OK but it is worth checking the earths, however you'd normally have problems in other circuits like the wipers.

You can dismantle the regulator, give it a good clean and grease up the worm drive. This is often a problem. The motors do get tired and the teeth on the drive cog wear badly & often corrode causing windows that stick at the bottom or part way. Also the switches can cause problems, try swapping them round to see if there is any improvement.

The easiest & best fix is to fit a new motor/regulator unit each side!

The supply to the motor is usually OK but it is worth checking the earths, however you'd normally have problems in other circuits like the wipers.

You can dismantle the regulator, give it a good clean and grease up the worm drive. This is often a problem. The motors do get tired and the teeth on the drive cog wear badly & often corrode causing windows that stick at the bottom or part way. Also the switches can cause problems, try swapping them round to see if there is any improvement.

The windscreen wipers don't work too well either????

[stephendell]

Do they improve when the engine is running/reving? You might have a bad earth or dodgy battery/alternator. Check the main front earth to the bulkhead and run an additional one from the battery to the top LH suspesion turret if there isn't one there.

I'd suggest spraying plenty of WD40 over the wiper spindles/linkages etc. GTA wipers are prone to seizing & believe me you don't want to go down that route. I think there's a post in the old forum regarding wiper motor problems.

Do they improve when the engine is running/reving? You might have a bad earth or dodgy battery/alternator. Check the main front earth to the bulkhead and run an additional one from the battery to the top LH suspesion turret if there isn't one there.

I'd suggest spraying plenty of WD40 over the wiper spindles/linkages etc. GTA wipers are prone to seizing & believe me you don't want to go down that route. I think there's a post in the old forum regarding wiper motor problems.

I havn't been with the car for a few weeks now, as im waiting for my wheels to come for an MOT. Last time i checked, the wipers hardly moved whether the engine is running or not. It hasn't got an earth to the suspension at the front, but i will put one on. The alternator is working fine. I have chected that and run new earth cables from the battery to the engine earth on the gearbox and re-newed the original chassis earth at the front.

[stephendell]

You've done all the right things, so it sounds like the motors (windows & wipers) are on their last legs. They'll all improve with a strip & rebuild though, but time consuming.

Don't lose the nuts that hold the wiper arms on, they're not available any more!

You've done all the right things, so it sounds like the motors (windows & wipers) are on their last legs. They'll all improve with a strip & rebuild though, but time consuming.

Don't lose the nuts that hold the wiper arms on, they're not available any more!

Thanks Stephen.

Has anyone got some tips for removing the interior door trim ?
I'm trying to gain access to the window motor mechanism, as the window now only just creeps up

So far I've removed all the screws that I can see, plus the door latch cover. I just dont want to pull on the trim and break the fragile plastic catches (if there are any that is).

Thanks in advance
Paul

You need to remove the handle as well as the door switch ...two tics ...I'll take a pic of my nakedness

Top bolt is behind the switch and the lower one ,remove the air vent in the door for access .

My windows were very slow too. Taking absolutely ages to go up, at about 10mm per min. lol.

When i changed my door cards, i took the oppertunity to lube all the moving parts of the window mechanism with engine oil in an oil can.
Squirted all the side runners, pivot joints etc..
At the same time as applying oil, i was running the windows up and down.

Now they wizz up and down just great.

Thanks for the comments.
For the grey velour trim panels, do I take it that I just prise these away?
Amd what about the speakers, do they pop out or come away with the trim ?

You leave the Grey trim panels alone. No need to touch them.

Remove the door opening switch.
Remove the vent in the bottom of the door panel.
Using a 10mm socket, remove the Bolts securing the upper part and the lower part of the door handle. Remove handle.
There are also a few Torx screws along the bottom of the door that need removing.
Remove the plastic trim piece up near the door mirror.

No need to touch the Speakers, or the covers.
There are some Push-In type clips around the edge of the door panel that need to be popped out. And one up near the door mirror.
Now the door panel should be loose. Lift the straight up, as it needs to un-hook from the window-sill rail.
Pull wires, from Tweeter, and thats it. Panel is off.

I only did this 2 weeks back, so its still in my mind..

Cheers Paul & Lee.

I'll have a crack at it tomorrow.
I do have a replacement window motor mechanism, but I think I'll try lubing the original with oil and see if that solves the problem.

Also, didnt realise how primative the door catches are. Simple micro switches eh! I think I'll take the passenger one off and spray the contacts with switch cleaner; it works intermittently probably due to bad connection.

Cheers
Paul

Hi Paul,

When operating the door opening lever, can you hear the servo motor working ?. But the door does not open ?.

This is what mine were like when i purchased it.
Again, as per the windows. Engine oil via an oil can onto all the moving parts of the door opening mechanism. (Inside rear quarter panels).
And mine work fine now.
The metal components and rods seem to build up with mild corrosion, and this makes them too stiff for the servo to move.
So plenty of oil and working by hand was enough to free things up so they worked properly..