This was posted in ICE, but I reckon not so many people read that bit so...

My driver's door window is stuck in the closed position.

Checked switches and PCB: All looks good. I can still get the same behaviour closing he switches by closing the circuits on the board.

The window motor clicks as though it is trying, but not doing anything. This is both up and down, so there is definitely power getting as far as the motor.

Here's the odd thing I've just spotted...

If you put the key into the ignition far enough for that continuous warning high pitched beep then this happens.

A working window when trying to be closed when already closed causes a slight drop in note. A closed window being opened no change in note. An open window being closed, no change in note. An open window trying to be "forced" further open by the switch causes drop in note.

All of this leads me to reason that a motor under strain causes a drop in note as it drains power.

The window in question that is stuck in the closed position. Pull the switch up (facelift) to close further and you get a drop in note which makes me think that the motor is working in that direction against the mechanical resistance of the top of the door.

Push the switch down to open the window and no change in note leading me to believe that the motor is not even trying (depsite the click from the motor which makes me think it is engaging.)

I have rummaged around inside the door for anything mechanical and there is nothing that I can feel that would be getting in the way of the mechanism from taking the window down.

All of this appears that:

The motor can go in the direction to take the window up (it drops the note when forced), but can't go in the direction to open the window (no drop in note).

Does anyone understand electric motor enough to understand why the above might be the case and offer a diganosis?

I have cleaned all contact at all plugs between the motor and the switches to be sure with Maplin contact cleaner.

Albatross wrote on 13. Oct 2008 at 15:21:


I'd go for another motor first, easiest to replace, and go from there. I appreciate though that Mark isn't exactly around the corner for you.

if as you say the motor doesnt even try to drive in the down position i would be looking at the switch itself, the switch changes the polarity of the motor making it drive either one way or the other, can you lay your hands on a spare switch? if not try running 2 wires directly off the battery to the window motor & connect them both ways [simulating polarity change] if it works then its the switch i would say.

thanks TB, its the case of another easy job made difficult then!, they always used to change polarity in the switch,doesnt the controller rely on a polarity change anyway? i know my last senator did & that had the one touch option, oh how times change ay!!!!![my god im feeling old ] out of interest sake how many wires do go to the motor assy?

Good news hope all goes well