Passenger window wont role down

[AZZKICKER]

Hey guys,

I have had an intermitten problem with my passenger side window rolling down when it feels like it. Now it is stuck in the up position.

I pulled the switch last night and the conection seems to be good. Is it possible there is a fuse or something that might keep it from working?

I dont beleive that it is the window motor as it sounds electrical.

Let me know.

Thanks

Andy 94 S4

[ErnestM]

Andy...

Sounds like what happened to my window recently. I think there are some small plastic "track guides" that fail, so it could be that.

Since you are more of a DIY than I am, maybe Calvin or Jim can help out. I also know that Karl Franz has sourced just those "little plastic pieces" as well so you don't have to but in a whole motor...

ErnestM

[rfoster]

I've had trouble with my drive side window motor as well, and I followed the instructions on rebuilding your window motor as seen on www.espritfactfile.com (under the problems section). Looks like a lot of work but it's really pretty simple. Took me 45 minutes and I'm no DIY expert. All now works fine! There's more info about what to look for on the same page.
Good luck.

[okc-esprit]

I would suggest replacing the switch or if possible testing it. During the first month of ownership of '90 SE, I thought our passenger side window had a poltergeist. Push the switch it might work immediately or it might wait three minutes. Try to run a partially open window up, it would go down. I cleaned the switch, didn’t help. Bought a new switch, no more problems. Driver’s side was similar but it required a new motor. No problems since, at least with the windows.

[Dr.Hess]

Yeah, I have heard of similar ghost window control problems being tracked to the switch. They are about $25 from JAE.

Hey OKC, you in OKC? I am in NW AR.

Dr.Hess

[techspy]

I had the same problem. Here is what I found. Check the fuses which are located in the fuse box up front under the hood. Mine had the wrong size fuses, but werent blown and probably werent contributing to my problems, but I replaced them with the proper size anyway. My particular problem was solved by cleaning the relays. There are 2 relays in each door. They are between the door panel and the inside wall of the door. I took the relays apart, cleaned the contacts with very fine sand paper and reinstalled them. No problems since. I would have just replaced the relays, but was not able to find the right type. The normal ones you find in an autoparts store will fit, but they are missing one of the connecters. I am sure you can find one if you look around enough. Unplug the relay from the harness and take it with you for comparing. You will see the difference. Hope this helps.

John
94 S4

[okc-esprit]

Dr. Hess - I work in downtown OKC and live in Guthrie.
Good to hear that someone else is in the "neighborhood."

[Dr.Hess]

I am near Fayetteville. Howdy neighbor. There is another in Little Rock on the Yahoo list.

Dr.Hess

[lotusguy]

Hi,

The switches are always suspect on the window lift systems on an Esprit. The reason is that Lotus, once again in their infinite wisdom, wired the switch right into the power circuit for the window motor.

These motors draw a pretty high amperage, much more than the switch was really intended to control. Over time, the switch contact either gets so pitted due to arcing of the high amps, or it literally burns. In either case, they fail in short order.

Also, since their failure is progressive, they deliver fewer and fewer amps to the motor. This causes increased resistance in the wiring as well as greater arcing on the motors brushes leading to premature motor failure as well.

The permanent fix is to wire in two relay circuits, using the switch to control the relay, rather than the power supply to the motor directly. This subjects it to much less amperage, allowing it to 'live' a normal lifespan. Also, not only do the windows lower/raise with more vigor, they last much longer. The relays are constructed to handle the necessary amps, but, should they fail, $5 and a trip to any Radio Shack or Auto supply store will have you up and running in no time.

Plan on about $30USD in parts and about 1 hour to wire in the relays. If anyone is interested, contact me and I will send you detailed instructions as well as a parts list. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

[kylie]

Hi just to also add.. relube the small rollers on the arm that pushes the window up and down. My one was all gunged up with dust and grime. We gave it a clean and regreased it.

[wbillybobw]

HI Everyone, I've been working on my passenger window the last couple of days, my problem is when you hit the switch either up or down the window will start moving and then stop it might travel 1 to 6" but once it stops you can't get moving again for several seconds and then it might move again 1 to 6" then just repeat time after time until you get the window all the way back up or down, But! I have never had my window go up and down by it's self!!!!
Bill
90'SE

[thwagmostar]

There happens to be a similar thread on the yahoo list. The prob you are describing is exactly what I had and resolved with removing the over-heat sensor. Check the turboesprit list for more details.

Scott Rushworth
Little Rock, AR (the other guy!)
'89 SE

[techspy]

Hey Jim,
Just for clarification, on the 94 S4 (and, I would imagine on everything thereafter, but havn't had direct experience with other models) there are already relays as I described in my previous response. I had heard this information when I was researching my problem so I checked the switches first. Thats when I discovered the relays. So apparantly from at least 94 forward, there are already relays and the switches don't handle the amperage as in the earlier cars. Just a bit of extra info.

John
94 S4

[lotusguy]

techspy said:

Hey Jim, Just for clarification, on the 94 S4 (and, I would imagine on everything thereafter, but havn't had direct experience with other models) there are already relays as I described in my previous response. I had heard this information when I was researching my problem so I checked the switches first. Thats when I discovered the relays. So apparantly from at least 94 forward, there are already relays and the switches don't handle the amperage as in the earlier cars. Just a bit of extra info. John 94 S4

John,

Kewl Thanx... you're never done learning about these cars. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

[AZZKICKER]

Thanks guys,

I will go home and try cleaning the relays today and if that doesnt work I will test the switch.

Amazing I got this many replies so quick!

Thank you very much!

Andy
94S4

[dictys]

On my 89 se there are no relays, the switches are fine and I've checked the motor + Fuses. The window goes up and down with the connections straight onto a battery and all the switches work when swapped with drivers door. The passenger window used to work when I hit the lower edge of the door now not at all. Any ideas or am I going to have to check every bit of cable?

Rgds
Dictys

[lotusguy]

dictys said:

On my 89 se there are no relays, the switches are fine and I've checked the motor + Fuses. The window goes up and down with the connections straight onto a battery and all the switches work when swapped with drivers door. The passenger window used to work when I hit the lower edge of the door now not at all. Any ideas or am I going to have to check every bit of cable? Rgds Dictys

Hi,

Check the ground at the door hinge. Remove it, clean it and smear a lite coating of a heavy metallic anti-sieze (I prefer the copper, but any will do). It's the only variable between switching all the control gear w/ the driver's side and connecting to a battery direct aside from a break in the wiring harness. I'm betting that's it and it will save you lots of time by going to this first should my suspicions be correct. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

[dictys]

Thanks Jim,

I done the ground and also taken apart the connector block on the door wiring harness, this was badly corroaded, gave it a clean (v.difficult). I now have the lights in the switches come on and the motor now makes a little whine. There is a least power getting to the motor but not enough! I've ordered new connecters and will install, this hopefully will cure the problem.

Rgds
Dictys

[wbillybobw]

Hey Scott, thanks for the info! I did mine alittle different, instead of runing a wire to jump across the heat sensor, I soldered together the two halfs of the case, the window worked so good after doing this I went ahead and did the driver side too, and the driver side that had no problems seems to run alittle faster now!! Thanks
Bill
90'SE

[rfoster]

Jim,

Would really appreciate it if you could send details of wiring to relays into the circuit - I have ongoing probs with my driver side motor & switches and am looking to ifx it once & for all!

Cheers, Richard ('90 NA)
PS. Any chance of some pics of your car?