Tailgate window stoped working last night. I'm tring to trouble shoot it now.

I took the access pannel off and found the red/yellow wires going to the motor.

I also found two "extra" wires and one was broken (or cut). But I don't know what they are for. They run from the rear switch area over twords the motor. One is blue/black and the other is straight black. The straight black is the broken one. Could this be my problem?

BTW the tailgate-closed-sensor has been bypassed for a long time and the bypass was still there so it deffently isn't that sensor.

I'm off to radioshack to buy a testlight. I'll update after I test some voltages.

 

Dam. The monkey at radio shack sold me a testlight for 90V-300V. Even though I asked for one for 12V. This doesn't help me at all.

 

A test light won't really tell you the voltage - a "12V" test light will glow with as little as 6V and probably won't burn out until it gets near 20V. It's certainly a useful tool, and you should get one & use it, but just be aware of its limitations & understand what information you're getting from it.

The closest thing to Bk/LB inside the t/g is Br/LB, which is power to the defrost grid on the glass - the Bk wire is the ground for it. It sounds like someone broke the back window & that wire, and didn't fix it. Do you even have a defrost grid on your glass? If that's what they are, they have no effect on the motor operation.

 

Doh! I should have known about the defrost wires. I just never thought abou that because mine has never worked (it is on the window thought).

Yea I know about limitations of a testlight. I have a multimeter but I can't find it (just moved and everything is in boxes). Right now I just want to check if there is ANY voltage going to the switches.

I frogot to say my fuses are okay because my front power windows and power locks are working. Thoes are the same fuses that power the rear window right?

 

i have a problem. mine works with the inside switch. but not with the key switch on the rear? whats wrong?

 

Bad key switch or broken/lose wire in tailgate if the rear key switch will not work....my key switch does not work either...and I have yet to get around to checking it out....

 

The dash switch is powered by the same fuse or C/B as the door window motors (#14 on '92-96), but the t/g switch has its own fuse or C/B (#12 on '92-96). If you ONLY have a problem with the t/g switch, it's most likely the fuse or C/B, but it can be the "paddle" on the back of the t/g lock cylinder that pushes the switches.

A broken wire in the t/g will affect both switches.

 

all wires are good. so do i need a new switch? is there a way i can check is one? and if so i have a 84 what is the part number and what does one cost?

 

Well I fixed it.

(I wish I could really say that.) After getting the correct testlight I probed the dashswitch pigtail and it had power so I plugged the switch bad on. Low and behold it worked.

I guess there was a loose connection somewhere and all my aimless poking and prodding must have reconnected it. So I look forward to this mystery connection failing again and again, and again.

While I have the access panel off what should I lubricate the rear window with? It makes a horrid noise when I rase or lower it. Would white lithium grease be good?

 

yo,
wh lith is ok and silicone in the window weatherstripping (vertical side sections).
That open is most likely in the harness area where it comes out from the driver's side taillight & snakes into the t'gate. Also could be numerous other places as we all have discovered over the years!

 

Guys,

I'm having similar switch trouble. First rear key switch was working spradically, then interior switch also, now nothing (on my 1990 fullsize). First things first, i want to lower the glass to lower the tailgate so i can check the wire connex between dr. side taillight and tailgate.

PLEASE HELP! I can see the cam-style gears that raise/lower the window, and i can see where the motor links up, but i don't know how to release the glass!

Thanks in advance,
Jim

 

james,
Look at Dustin's info:
http://ylobronc.users.superford.org/.../tailgate.html

make sure you have a padded support ready for the glass!

also look at other t gate articles posted by many other folks in mmy web site under Technical; Tailgate

 

awww this site's computer proggie messes up the Link!
Look at Dustin;s info on my site shown below...

here is some info from Dustin:
"Then you have to remove the screw holding down the access panel support on the left side of the tailgate.
Next, close the latch on the driver's side to allow the window to move while the tailgate is down. I moved the glass until it was halfway out. Make sure the glass is supported- I used an adjustable stand that was originally used as a table saw extension stand.


Then remove the nuts on the two brackets holding the glass to the regulator. Mine were rusted and two broke off. The weatherstrips on my tailgate was rotted away so I could pull the glass out without removing the brackets from the glass. If your weatherstrips are still in good shape, you may have to remove the rivets from the brackets to be able to slide the glass out or remove the weatherstrips. Don't forget to unplug the defrost wires from the glass.

Next, remove the screws holding the left taillight on and open it up. Unplug the two connectors and the ground wire from the tailgate wiring harness and pull the harness out from the body along with the rubber grommet.

Remove the c-clip holding the switch onto the lock cylinder and pull off the switch. Then remove the c-clip holding the lock cylinder onto the tailgate and pull the cylinder out. If you have the silver vanity panel on your tailgate, you have to remove it first before removing the lock cylinder by unscrewing the nuts from the studs.

After unplugging everything and pulling the harness out of the tailgate, you can now remove the regulator. To do this, you need to remove the bolts holding it down and you may need to remove the latch for the tire carrier on the outside of the tailgate.

etc.

 

one more question, my window is stuck up, can i take the top off and then follow the steps with out lowering the window?

 

That'd be VERY dangerous. You'd probably shatter the gla$$.