How to fix your broken, slow, or just plain lazy electric window motor **FOR FREE!**

Have a car window that doesn’t want to go up, down, or really do anything other than carfax and chill? In this episode we show you how to breathe some new life into that lazy motor of yours!

[thomasmccartney]

One simple tip to improving slow window operation is to leave the engine running when you're parking and you put the windows up. The charging voltage is something over 14 volts compared to possibly under 12 with the engine off and all the retained power accessories and lights still on.

[deankay]

Window guides are adjustable in or out as you tested w/o the window regulator assembly installed. Loosen the bolts looking for lateral movement away from the window. A rat-tail file chucked into a drill and a 4” length of conduit can guide the file. Reverse the drill motors direction to guide it the direction you need to make the frame wider. Since on the rear, the felt does not wear, but are cheap. The dielectric grease is a nice touch, but over time it will bind the window or migrate upward to show on the window when up.
Armature is the part that goes around. The commutator plates is what you have cleaned. When the window stops at full up or down, the current increases significantly. To protect this over-current event, the wires that disappear in the plastic have a PTC thermistor installed. This polymer solid state device starts to open when the amps get to high. It gets hot. A resistance test on both ends of brush to wire should read the same. If one is high, the PTC device is failing, basically reducing the proper current to the motor. While running the motor, you can use the amp (High) side of DMM will measure between 10-15 amps. Check it at the motor with good jumpers. Some manufacturers place the PTC thermistor inside the “Circuit Breaker” at the fuse box. Some leave it out completely as it adds an extra $1.33 for a vehicle with 4 windows. These circuit breakers are used on power seats as well.
But, it no load, beside peak current on cold motor, the amps measure 8 amps, if the circuit beaker reduces current to 5 amps, you window will never move like new. I grew up in an era that parts in boxes came from dealers. We rebuild the carb, starter, distributor or window motor. Only after proper testing, like voltage drop and current(Amps). Especially if it was a 28 mile drive to get a part, then drive back. Or better yet, wait 3-6 days to get $180 part we fixed with a 18 cent part. Happy, happy, Joy, joy! ASE Master Tech since 1978 - Retired

[Anonymous-itjw]

Without taking the door apart, try spraying the window guides with silicone spray lubricant, which dries quickly and doesn't gunk up. That spray would also help clean and lube the metal track. If that doesn't help, and you take the door panel off, first try using De-Oxit contact cleaner sprayed into the area of the commutator, if you can figure a way to get get the spray into that part of the.motor w/o taking it out or apart. Then test the motor before removing it and taking it apart. If you do take the motor apart, DeOxit works great for cleaning electrical connections of all types, including washing the carbon out of the commutator segments and cleaning the surfaces of the commutator segments.

[JMUDoc]

Liked - excellent video.
My left rear had trouble pulling the window open, and the operation was slow, so I took the motor out for a little look. Very little wrong that I could see, but i hit the commutator with a scotchpad and electrical contact cleaner (rather than WD40) and gave the brushes a tickle with a cotton bud. Caked the worm drive and bearing faces with fresh grease, as well.
I timed the window before cleaning - took 7.5 seconds. After? 5.5 seconds. MASSIVE improvement.

[addub]

Youre a legend 👍 i did exactly what you said but instead of cleaning the inside of the motor out with WD40 I used MAS air flow cleaner on everything and lightly sanded the black gunk off the connection point where the bushes touch and my window works like it is brand new.

[MrMacky-cozn]

White lithium grease works well on the roller guides and the teeth. Much more durable and plays nice with electricity

[lightnin]

Just caught your video great job i have always put a little wd/grease on each side of window in the rubber where the window rides up and down see if that along with your trick doesnt make them alot quicker

[carold.]

This video was exactly what I was looking for. I've replaced a window switch in the past on my last car, that was pretty easy with the help of you tube, but this time it is not the window switch, I've been thinking of removing the motor part. It actually is very similar to a power drill which I, also got working once again so this video may help. Just one question if your motor is bad does the window switch still illuminate. My mirror switch illuminated while everything is plugged in but the window switch does not. That's why I was stumped because I tried 2 other switches and they didn't do anything.

[blatantmisconception]

Silicone lubricant works well in window tracks and is less of a dust magnet that. Grease right?

[LethalJizzle]

Thanks dude! Both motors on my 350z sounded like they were having to lift a billion ton window. Some rubbing alcohol and some cotton buds and now they're good as new.

[jdrs]

I like the old gears, wheels, and rails power window elevator assemblies, rather than these cable pull/tug/wind-up power window assemblies.

[shaneh]

Great video man!! Thank you!! I had to do this multiple times on my 03 350z.... im happy to see these are the same. Subscribed.

[joecoffman]

Lurnt sumpm noo aguin. My dore wynders r a mite slow. Thankye
Patience, I've got a whole lot of. Sense of humor....I make myself laugh at times.
Thanks very much

[bobbofly]

Another thin that'll cause resistance/hangups is if the fasteners holding the siderunners onto the window work loose and/or fall out, causing the window to shift diagonally in the runners due to a sloppy fit.

[CSGATI]

replace the brushes' short ones don't press hard enough for good contact. lube the rails with dry silicone

[Powerhauze]

I just started watching this and the first 9 seconds were enough to make me like the video with the "grand opening"! Funny!!!

[Mooseguy]

The reason the window is having a hard time is probably cause the guide or protector over the aircraft cable is all gunked up inside...

[kubelwagen]

Fine steel wool will clean the commutator nice and followed by the brake cleaner will finish the job.

[EnnTomi]

great video and even better comments.
lovely.

[ethanbrockett]

What motor did you buy for the z with lifetime warranty??