why do window motors lock up?

[Piper]

I have taken apart my door several times now, fixed the bushings, re-greased tracks, etc. What I don't understand is the window motor will get stuck at full down or full up position, as if the gears are locking up. As soon as I perform the pain-in-the-ass task of removing the motor and assembly, it works again just fine, no binding or shuddering or any indication of a problem with the motor.

I am sick and tired of this happening. I'm going to re-grease everything again, and put it back together. If anyone can tell me why this happens, I'd love your input. Again, it will lock up with the window fully down or up, and won't move again until I remove the assembly, then everything's fine for a while. When it is stuck, pushing the button will make lights in the radio/dash/etc dim, so it is sending power to the unit.

-joshua

[joedogg]

I've had the same problem before. I think its because the motor is drawing too much current and moving it from full up or full down is harder than moving it somewhere in between.

[Elemino]

I've had the same problem with my rear passenger window. I solved this problem by doing two things. First, when I put it back together (after moving the grease inside it around) I hardly tightened the bolts holding the motor together. After all, they have lock rings, and the pressure of tights bolts was part of the problem. Secondly, when I roll the window all the way down or up I hit the button just slightly in the other direction to take pressure off the window. I haven't had a problem with it locking up since. Turns out these things need some play in them in order for them to not get stuck in one position.

How did I figure this out? One day the window was stuck in the down position, the worst one. I took the panel off and I simply loosened the bolts and tried it again and it worked!

[gadget73]

I've also noticed that having the bolts overly tight makes it bind up a bit.

[Elemino]

I've also noticed that having the bolts overly tight makes it bind up a bit.LOL... yea what he said...

We must have been posting at the same time.

[gadget73]

Actually I was just agreeing with your observation :)

[Piper]

Well, when I put it back together I didn't tighten the bolts that hold the motor assembly to the door too much. It's actually a little loose and has a tad bit of play now. Hopefully this will help, and it has no detrimental effect on the operation of the window, nor is there any rattle or noise from the door.

-joshua

[Elemino]

Well, when I put it back together I didn't tighten the bolts that hold the motor assembly to the door too much. It's actually a little loose and has a tad bit of play now. Hopefully this will help, and it has no detrimental effect on the operation of the window, nor is there any rattle or noise from the door.

-joshuaActually those bolts you want to be pretty tight. The bolts at the end of the motor itself (the ones about 4 inches long) are the ones I was talking about.

[Piper]

oh. Silly me. Alright then.

Thanks,

-joshua