the rear window in my 85 quit on me last night. It never worked from the key but it worked from the switch just fine. So now it is stuck down half way. First of all how do I get the damned thing up so I can stop the rain from pouring in?

Also, what kind of bullshit can I expect with these things. I know a LOT of people have problems with them. What could be wrong and what has happened to you guys regarding the windows?

my window wouldn't roll up or down unless it was raining out... I replaced the driver's side tailgate latch (the female componant) and it works just fine. $17 at the junkyard or $117 at the dealer, your choice.

Originally posted by IH8MyIFS
the rear window in my 85 quit on me last night. It never worked from the key but it worked from the switch just fine. So now it is stuck down half way. First of all how do I get the damned thing up so I can stop the rain from pouring in?

Also, what kind of bullshit can I expect with these things. I know a LOT of people have problems with them. What could be wrong and what has happened to you guys regarding the windows?

I have some troubleshooting info on my page:
http://4crawler.cruiserpages.com/4x4/CheapTricks/RearWindow.shtml

If the rear key switch doesn't work, does your license plate light also not work? If so, its the wiring/connector inside the door.

I had the same problem with the key no operating the rear window. I found that the guts of the switch had back out over
the years of use and no contact was being made when you turned the key to raise/lower the window. Open up the back
and take out the switch and the fix will be apparent. Push the guts of the switch in and then bend the notchs back tight.

another problem could be the window safety. It keeps the window from going up/down when the tailgate is open. All i did to correct this was reverse the U-shaped piece on the body that the tailgate latch grabs. This part had worn from use and the safety was not dis-engaging when latched.

"knock on wood" but my window regular was jumping teeth causeing the window to be at a angle. i removed my regulator and clamped down on teh metal behind where the teeth meshed. i know this isnt your problem but it will happen. also i did the modification so you can roll up or down the rear window with the ignition key off. also i added a swith to the rear hatch area incase i ever decided to sleep back there but since i didnt know how it worked i wired it up so that i had 12v going into the switch and to the realy box not knowing that it was switched using a ground instead so i can rool up and down my rear window any tim i want weither the gate is open or top off that switch will operate it. its nice to have when trying to fix it.

a real funny thing just happened. I jumped in it this morning and decided to try the window. Well the damned thing went up about an inch and a half, then it quit again.

If you ask me, thats got bad ground written all over it.

any comments?

hello?

anyone?

I at least need a way to get the damned thing up!!!

If you really want to get it up (assuming it's on it's track and the motor is still good), get inside the truck and pull the covers off the tailgate. Unplug the motor (2 wires one green one red) and run a FUSED! wire back from your battery's positive terminal. Run another wire to a good ground, just don't touch the two or it'll blow the fuse. I don't remember which way is up or down, but if you touch one of the pins for the motor connector to ground and the other to positive, the motor will move either up or down. If it's not the way you want it to go, reverse the wires you're touching. That way sends power right to the motor bypassing the relay pack and safeties. It'll at least get the window up until you can work on it later and keep the rain out.

you need to open up the tailgate and fix the problem
you can see if its the safety by having someone push on the tailgate and try the switch. Or try jiggling the key in the switch
to get it down. If the key doesn't work but the switch inside does its the Key switch on the tailgate that needs the guts tightened. If neither work its the safety.

There are a few things to check,

The console switch get filled with crud , pull it out, there is a roll pin that the rocker swings on, gently remove and pull switch apart, clean all contacts and reassemble.

On the drivers rear below the tail gate, you will find a wiring harness going from the body to the gate, carefully strip the covering off and you may find a few broken wires. ( the usual source of the key switch not working ) It is possible your license plate light will not be working either, wires are in same harness.

Check the roof mounting bolt on drivers side, nearest the rear tube of roll bar, be sure it is snug. ( this is where the safety switch is, shut off window when top is off )

Clean tail gate latches and lube them well, check function of latches and cables that operate latches ( I had a cable corrode and hold latch open just enough that it would not let the switch make contact ):beer:

May your rear glass soon rise to the occasion ;)

your trouble sounds like a fruity connection. I had my control module in my 94 ( behind drivers trim panel in back by cubby) and i couldn't do a damn thing. I tossed the whole thing and got rid of all those bs safety switches.I rewired mine and used the key sw only, with a few hella relays. It would be a bitch if the thing went out on the trail and all my tools were in there!! If you ever want to start from scratch, e mail me and i'll show you how I did it, really easy. To get the window up or down for now, pull the cover on the tailgate, unplug the deal at the motor, use a couple alligator clips to hook up a spare battery on the motor and you're set.:beer: