Classic/Antique Car Repair: Power Window ploblems, gauge wire, front doors


Question
QUESTION: p/windows will work fine for a while & than one or more of the windows will not roll down. I have installed new motors in the front doors,removed all the window tracks & regulators cleaned,lubed reinstalled & readjusted. Still the same problem. I have ran 10 gauge wire directly from the battery with the hot wire going to the switch panel and the ground going to the motor housing, no help.You can give the motor a sharp rap with a hammer and the motor will for for a few days that back to the same problem in will not roll down. The only way I can get the motors to work when the have stopped in the up position is to hit the motor or jump the motor at the connection in the door with a large battery charger & have it running on 12 volt boost??  Thanks Dave

ANSWER: Hi Dave:
You didn't tell me anything about the type of car you have, so I must make a few assumptions here that it is a ALL power vehicle. First, and foremost make sure you have the RIGHT AMPS battery for that vehicle. Power windows run completely on aux power. Therefore, you much have the right amps to pull those windows up. At least 80 AMPS. If your battery is not 80 amps, get one that is. You should run a constant 14 to 16 volts when started.

If you have an 80 amps battery, then check the switch relay. It could be sticking or bad. You could have bad motors, but I don't think so.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Vern the car is a 1965 T-Bird
The windows will go up ok but will not come down.
I will check the amps on the battery.
thanks Dave

Answer
Hi Dave:
If the windows will go up OK, but won't come down, the problem may be elsewhere. Windows operate on a gear and rail system. So if the gears was broken, you would have problem in either direction. I think you may be getting bad contact. if you can take the door panel off or remove the window switch, try cleaning them with some alcohol and check the connection.