Location windowlift relays

[Mr E]

Hi All,

My drivers side window stopt working (RHD).
Tested the switch, works out fine.
See the voltage meter react when I use the switch but there's no output at the motor.
So I think it's either the relays or fuse.
I found 1 relays plus fuse in the passenger foot well but there is only one.
Can anyone tell me where the other one is?

It's an '86

Thanks,

Edward

[Mr E]

Small correction, I removed the fuse at the relays, the LH window still worked.

Conclusion; I'm still searching for both relays and guses

[ttedj]

From memory I don't think there is a relay for the windows - could well be wrong though. There is a thermal cut out somwhere (may be part of the motor???). I guess you also checked the voltage to the motor when operating the switch? Not sure how the wiring runs (whether they go from switch into car and back to motor or straight from switch to motor), but I had some isues with the wires breaking as they go from door into car (was being trapped by the door).
Will try and have a look at the service manual when I get home and confirm.

Ted

[Mr E]

Hi Ted,

According to the workshop manual there should be relays.
I looked at all locations for all models ('86 is an in between) and they are just not there.
For both windows there should be fuses, also not found.
There's no voltage at the motor so must be fuse, relay or cable?

Thanks for any suggestion,

Edward

[amarshall]

If I remember correctly, there are no relays for the window motors, but there are fuses - one rated at 20A for each side. Power comes from the infamous "splice B' which is the auxiliary circuit. The switches power the motors directly.

On a 1990 car, those fuses are in the passenger footwell.

I've found in the past, that the motors can stall (trigger the thermal cutout) as a result of poor end-float adjustment and/or poor glass-alignment.

There's also the infamous loose magnet problem - sometimes one of the magnets inside the motor becomes detached from the case and sticks to the windings thus preventing the motor turning. You need to take the motor body apart to check this and glue the motor back using something like Araldite if this has happened.

[fueltheburn]

Mine were working well before the stripdown. Now they have seized in this time.

[Mr E]

After some more frustrating moments I've located the relays.
They are under the left A pillar, one for up, the other for down (no, I also don't understand but when I remove one the window only goes up when I remove the other the window only goes down).
What I have not found is the fuse.
What I did manage is to get the RHS working again by...........hitting it with a hammer.
I guess it was jammed or something.

Does not give me confidence but at least its working.

Still, any suggestions for a more secure solution are welcome

[tonypoll]

Giving the window felt runners a spray with Pledge (or some such silicon polish) helps prevent the windows sticking.

[Mr E]

As a professional working with car paint I must object to the silicon suggestion.
Never use these kind of products in or on your car!
If it ever needs a paint job (repair or full re-spray), your asking for fish-eyes in the end result.
Those interior products that makes the dash shine are also not done.

However, I will take your advise and grease the felt runners, thanks

[marky]

Are you referring to the relays under the carpet trim on the left hand side of the passenger footwell?

My car is an 87 and I have two large relays and five small relays in this location ( I believe later cars only have 3 small relays) there is also 7 fuses in between which I assume is one for each relay.

I know that the two large relays and three of the smaller ones operate the headlamps but did not know what the other two relays were for.


If your car has the same set up I would be interested to know if these are the two relays you are referring to.

Thanks - Mark.

[Mr E]

There a 3 similar relays in the left footwell and 12 fuses.
I assume 1 is for the headlights the others for the window, one for up, one for down.
None of the fuses was for the window.

Still have no clue where to find the window fuses

[amarshall]

On a post-86 car (with dim-dip) there are 3 relays in the block which also holds fuses in the passenger footwell (rhd cars). They are ALL for dim-dip and beam changeover.

Two of the fuse holders should be empty as they are for the "cellular telephone" harness. The other 5 are for dim-dip, central locking and headlamp control and headlamp motors.

The window fuses are in the driver's footwell (on rhd cars) and are numbers 31 and 32 - in the relay block, not the main fuse panel.

There are NO relays for the windows shown in the handbook, parts manual or service notes. If the windows don't work it must be wiring, switches, motors or fuses. If hitting the motor with a hammer fixes it , then it's time to strip the motor down and service it.

[Pete Boole]

According to the service notes the '86 models do not have window fuses, but do have relays - they're the two lowest relays in the passenger footwell. (section MD, sheet 16).

Pete

[amarshall]

According to the service notes the '86 models do not have window fuses, but do have relays (section MD, sheet 16).

Pete

Flippin' 86s - always having to do things differently.

[marky]

Just to add to the confusion my 87 car is different again. Passenger footwell.

I have the two large relays for headlamp retraction as per later cars and a bank of 5 standard relays and fuses.

from top to bottom ;-

7.5 fuse ?
2 amp fuse - dim dip
5 amp fuse?

relay - dim dip control
relay - dim dip motors

4 amp fuse - headlamp control
20 amp fuse - headlamp motors

relay - beam changeover
relay - window lift
relay - window lift
25 amp fuse - window lift
25 amp fuse - window lift