S3 Electric windows.

[Stew Mc]

Hi All.
I have a problem with my OS door window. It is very slow to go down and will not come up unless pulled at the same time as operating the switch.
I have had the door casing off and lubricated all I can see but this has made no difference, and it's now raining so have given up for the day.
I am thinking it is either a bad earth or more likely a partially siezed/worn window motor. I presume this is not the fist window to pack up, so any advise would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Stew.

[Jaye R]

Stew

Welcome to world of TVR ownership - mine does exactly the same - something I have learnt to live with (until I can get round to looking at it properly) - with all the other jobs on the list the window has been like this for about 2 years now

I think it is something to do with the window tracks and whether the motor is up to scratch though - no doubt someone will be along in a minute to let you know what you need to do to fix it

Cheers
Jaye

[Stew Mc]

Hi Jaye.
Only had the car a few weeks so still keen, and not too many things to do on it at present, other than a couple of iffy electrical problems. Would be nice to get it sorted if possible!
Cheers,
Stew.

[chrischat]

Mines the same n/s is fine o/s like a snail. I fitted new felt runners to the window tracks (woollies) but only to get a very slight improvement. I had a theory that curve of the runner was slightly out, but ran out of time.

[Stew Mc]

Thanks Chris.
Sounds like a common problem. I may end up stripping it all out to see if I can sort it, but did not want to do it if there was something I was missing.

[jimed]

Hi Stewart - sorry to hear you are having a problem with the window. It was always slow but better with the door open as it seemed to be a bit tight to the rubbers at the roof hoop (and they were replaced last year) when the door was shut. I think there was a post a while ago about a connector in the door which can get a bit iffy as the rain washes down the window and out of the drain holes at the bottom of the door so maybe living outside has not helped that bit. No doubt someone who knows about that will be along to help with the info but I think it was to do with cleaning the connector, etc.
Another thing I think was said was the switch in the car which can get a bit dicky so a search might be a good idea to see what there is about it.
Jim

[Stew Mc]

Hi Jim.
Good to hear from you and thanks for the info. The connectors did look a bit iffy but rain stopped play today. Wish I had your garage! Hope the new motor is going well?
Santa has just dropped off an early Christmas present (new car cover, ebay bargain if it fits!!!) so will be covered up soon which will help.
Car going well so no worries. Also had a look at the radio and just put it straight back again. That will be a job for the spring as the wiring will have to be sorted which may take a while. Still, with the great sound of the motor, who needs a radio?
Cheers,
Stew.

[mep12345]

Lubricate the runners with a silicon grease spray - do mine at start of summer and when tightens up over winter and tends to work fine then - the type I use is normally for bicycle chains

HTH

Mark

[Stew Mc]

Thanks Mark.
Did that first and made no difference unfortunately. Even with the door casing off so I could get to everything.
Cheers,
Stew.

[Bobhon]

Mine also moves very slowly on the drivers side and only goes down about half as far as the passenger one. The window seems to rotate at the bottom of its travel so I'm assuming that the runners aren't aligned properly making the window lock into the runners?
Once this happens you have to manually lift the window while pressing the switch. Once it's rotated back into alignment it slowly moves up.

I also recognise that it runs up better with the door open as it binds against the window seal. Can't always do this at 70mph though.

I'll strip it down and fix it one day, but it's not top of the priority list at the moment.

Bob

[Stew Mc]

Thanks Bob.
Will take another look and see how I get on.
Cheers,
Stew.

[jimed]

Silicon spray is very useful for giving all the rubber seals a quick coat. It helps them to seal better (eg roof) and will help with the window going up as they rub against the hoop seal (that was why I replaced the hoop seal as the constant rubbing and slightly backward movement had caused the seal to split) although it leaves a slight sheen on the window (not an issue).
(Re the new Griff - its now been serviced and the throttle pot adjusted which has improved its cold and slow speed running and virtually removed the shunt effect that you can get with the 500s at low revs - anyway it is very nice to drive! I note the throttle pot discussions here and also that you can get a new one for the S for sensible money - for a serp 500 engine it is - wait for it - £125 or more, dependent on where you get one from, but I don't need one at the moment thankfully!).
Jim

[chrischat]

Come on Jim PHOTO no not of you the GRIFF

[dougc]

Mine's exactly the same. I've tried buggering about with alignment and silicon spray but it seems to make little difference.

I've just got used to it now and it doesn't really matter.

Apart from at the first London Thunder where it tipped it down before we set off. I had the lid on but the windows down. About a mile from The Ace there was a massive flood and we all trundled through. As I was halfway through, a car came the other way at speed, chucking up a big wave. I dived for the window switch but the bloody thing just wouldn't go up quick enough and I ended up with a load of mucky water square in the face

[jimed]

I don't have any good piccies of the Griff as yet Chris as its resting (ie salt avoidance at the moment) but even then I'm not sure how to put them up as I've not had to do that yet. I have some (not very good) I took when I got it home for the insurance - I'll send one to Kevin and ask him to do it for me as I think he knows how to do things like that.....
Jim

[ketvrin]

jimed said:

I don't have any good piccies of the Griff as yet Chris as its resting (ie salt avoidance at the moment) but even then I'm not sure how to put them up as I've not had to do that yet. I have some (not very good) I took when I got it home for the insurance - I'll send one to Kevin and ask him to do it for me as I think he knows how to do things like that.....
Jim

like this:



very nice Jim...

K

[chrischat]

It looks great Jim and a good bold colour. I think many S owners would aspire to a griff as the next logical step