QuestionQUESTION: Hi. We're working on a 92 new yorker with 2 main problems. The driver's power window seems to be dead, although the other 3 windows all work fine from the driver's main panel. The fuses are fine. Any suggestions?
The blower is also dead, at any speed. We've checked both the in-dash and engine compartment fuses, and they're fine.
This car belongs to a 17 year old without much money, so we're hoping for any inexpensive solutions you could suggest. Thanks - you've got a great site here!
ANSWER: Hi Lauire,
If you have actually measured that the fuses are ok, because they could have a subtle crack that you wouldn't always notice, then it is either the blower motor or the blower resistor block or the control switch. The most common failure is the resistor block. It is located above the glove box on the cabin side of the firewall. So remove the glove box to get to it for replacement, removing the screws around the door after giving yourself some space by removing the under dash edge. Follow the multiple wires that run from the control panel up to that area at the top edge of the firewall. Pull its plug and remove two screws and the block drops out of the firewall. But you might want to test the blower motor first, by pulling its plug and jumping 12v to the socket.
On the power mirror, it could either be the door switch or the mirror itself. There are several types of mirrors and the procedure for getting to the switch and testing it and the mirror is complicated enough that the best thing would be for me to copy the pages and postal mail them to you. It costs me 10 cents per side and I need to copy about 8 sides. If you would agree to send me back three 42 cent stamps to cover my costs I'll send them to you first. Mention whether these are the mirrors that have multiple pre-set memory settings for different drivers or not. I assume they are 'heated'.
Also, I assume this is the front wheel drive New Yorker, otherwise let me know.
Use the 'thank and rate' tab to give me a postal mailing address in the comments section.
Roland
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QUESTION: Hi again! I was so pleased with your quick reply! One problem though - the 2nd problem is with a dead driver's WINDOW, not the mirrow. The 4-switch in the driver's door functions for the other 3 windows, but the driver's window will not budge. Along with the non-functional blower, it makes for a lot of discomfort on a hot, muggy day. Any suggestions? Thanks!
ANSWER: Hi Laurie,
It was too early in the morning, I guess. But the first answer was about applicable to both.
On the door window, the master switch that controls all the windows has one voltage source, so if the other windows work, then power is getting to the switch. What do you mean by "won't budge"? If you don't hear the motor working, then it is possible that the switch or the motor is bad. If you hear the motor then the mechanism that connects the motor to the window needs to be replaced. You can probably get a mechanism out of a wrecking yard. I can copy the pages about the power windows, and the circuit diagrams.
Let me know what happens when you try the window switch so I can decide which pages to send you as it will be necessary to get inside the door for one repair or the other.
Was it clear about the blower motor resistor block? That is most likely what is wrong. A new one may cost about $30 at a dealer and is probably a good idea to go new one, but just in case try to jump the blower directly, it is under the dash on the bottom right side of the housing and has just two wires and plug at the end of those. If it blows, then no doubt the resistor block is burned out.
Roland
PS This is a front wheel drive New Yorker, correct?
Use the "thank and rate" tab to get back if I am 'Unavailable'.
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QUESTION: Hi again. We think this is the FWD new yorker - I have a call in to the owner. Also, what's the easiest way to hook the blower motor to a 12v source? If I can confirm FWD or not I will do so ASAP, but as of tomorrow we're off on vacation for 2 weeks and will have to get back with you after that. Will I still be able to reply to this question then? THANK YOU!!!
AnswerHi Laurie,
You can tell the difference betweem FWD amd rear wheel drive RWD in that the former will have the engine mounted transversely and the latter longitudinally. You could easily check the blower motor by finding its wires at the underside of the ac/heater housing. The dark green wire has 12V on it already, coming from fuse #10 which you tell me you have checked and found to be ok. So to safely test the blower all you would need to do to test the motor is push a straight pin through the insulation of the other (black) wire, and then use a separate piece of wire to jump from the pin to any shiny structural metal surface nearby under the dash. That would complete the circuit and the blower motor should spring to life or not.
The answer will remain in the record so you can do a follow-up at any time in the future.
Roland
