Reluctant Power Windows?

Hi Folks,
I just bought a 1986 Suburban for a scant $600. It has remarkably few problems, but there is something that has me baffled: a couple of power windows that work when they want to and to the degree they choose. The first culprit is my driver's side window which comes down about 1/4 of the way and just runs out of steam. It can then be closed in about 1/2" increments if you wait about a minute or two between attempts. It's almost like it has to "build a charge" before it will move. I know that's not what's going on, but it just seems like it needs a rest before moving. The power tailgate is equally as tempermental and behaves similarly, except sometimes it doesn't move at all. What could be the cause? Bad switches? Dirty contacts? Bad ground? I do better with situations where things work or they don't - this grey area of "it kinda works sometimes partially" is a bit weird. Thanks for any ideas you might have.
- 86Burban

The good news is it could be a bad relay on your fuse box!!!
The bad news is it could just be motors that are warn out!!
Check out www.lmctrucks.com and get a free cataloug.
Good luck







Hi Folks,
I just bought a 1986 Suburban for a scant $600. It has remarkably few problems, but there is something that has me baffled: a couple of power windows that work when they want to and to the degree they choose. The first culprit is my driver's side window which comes down about 1/4 of the way and just runs out of steam. It can then be closed in about 1/2" increments if you wait about a minute or two between attempts. It's almost like it has to "build a charge" before it will move. I know that's not what's going on, but it just seems like it needs a rest before moving. The power tailgate is equally as tempermental and behaves similarly, except sometimes it doesn't move at all. What could be the cause? Bad switches? Dirty contacts? Bad ground? I do better with situations where things work or they don't - this grey area of "it kinda works sometimes partially" is a bit weird. Thanks for any ideas you might have.
- 86Burban

I ran across a similar problem with a Chrysler Cirrus. The windows would work intermittently, and then stopped working all together. Turned out to be the window drive motor. The brushes had worn completly out.

Could be a good place to start. Good luck :biggrin:

I have the same problem with a 1990 Suburban. I have taken the drive motor assembly out and disassembled the motor. It appears to be very dirty inside but not worn out. Before getting a new motor, I going to try and clean it. It acts like there is a temperature limit switch engaging in the motor which makes the window stop or go in short bursts.

sounds like your motors are getting tired.

I'm having the same problems with my 96 1500 van drivers window. I was thinking it was a stuck window channel causing the motor to short out and then would operate again as the motor reset (like a circuit breaker) but I haven't tore into it yet. When it startes to get slugish going up I can grip the window and assist it for awhile which helps but now I'm not so sure if its the motor being worn out or something else. BTW, this has been happening since it was new but is acting up more frequently now at 122,000 miles