Tailgate window won't operate

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Apr 22, 2002 | 11:41 PM

65limo

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Joined: Apr 2002

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From: Sioux Falls USA

Tailgate window won't operate

Hi. I have an '89 Bronco with a problem I can't diagnose. I am not highly experienced in electrical problems, but generally can follow good instructions. Today with no warning my tailgate window stuck in the open position, and will not close. I checked the switch with a continuity tester, and it's fine. I also checked for power at the switch, and it's there. Fuse is fine. I've been meaning to replace the lock mechanism, which has been inoperable for about six months. I have bypassed it by the switch. Now nothing works. I'm not sure even how to get at the motor or lock mechanism with the glass inside the gate. Any suggestions? Thanks. 65limo

Apr 23, 2002 | 07:25 AM

emboyd

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Joined: Dec 2001

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From: Jacksonville, FL

Tailgate window won't operate

I had the same thing happen w/ my '84. Here's what you do:

Make sure the tailgate is closed completely. Usually, the driver's side won't close all the way, so go give it a good hard push to make sure it is all the way latched.

Let us know if that fixes it.

Thanks.

Apr 23, 2002 | 10:07 AM

65limo

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From: Sioux Falls USA

Tailgate window won't operate

Thanks for the suggestion. I had read a similar suggestion yesterday, but went out this morning and tried it again. I also oiled the latches. Everything closes tightly, and even with pressure applied against the tailgate, I can't get the glass to go up. I can't figure out how to get at the motor with the glass being down. Thanks for your suggestion, and I'll watch for any others. There is certainly a solution. 65limo

Apr 23, 2002 | 07:43 PM

muddogin400

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Joined: Oct 2001

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Tailgate window won't operate

i had the same problem with my rear window and it was a combination of a dirty ground wire and an conection that went bad. test the volts on both ends of each conection to see if yea got the same peoblem as i did. now the way i found out how to work on it with the tailgate down adn the window out is by first letting the tailgate down then pushing the latchs closed(the little things that clip around the stud) and turning the key under it shoudl move the glass. but be careful and hold on to teh glass as it goes out b/c it is quite heavy

Apr 24, 2002 | 02:28 AM

65limo

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From: Sioux Falls USA

Tailgate window won't operate

Good suggestions. I've tried all of these things, but still can't get the window to budge. My wife wants her car back in the garage, and I'm not putting my other two out. So, I'll take the Bronco to a pro and get it fixed correctly. Thanks for the help!:-X11

Apr 30, 2002 | 07:07 PM

krs

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Tailgate window won't operate

I have an '87 that has chronic tailgate glass problems.
Some suggestions:

1.)Your regulator roller (it's actually a sqaure plastic piece) that rides in the channel has overrun the channel and jammed. It takes two to fix this: one to carefully hold the roller in its proper orientation to the channel, and the other to just tap the switch to make it go up/down to get the roller back in line. Watch those fingers!
2.)There is a safety override switch located (as you are inside facing the tailgate) to the mid to lower right inside the tailgate. My opened up and the glass would neither go up or down. So, I reached in there, pulled the switch out as far as it would go, cut the wires to the switch, and spliced the two wires in the wiring harness together. If you do this, you'll have no safety override, and the glass will go up or down whether the gate is closed or open.
3.)The glass is jammed in the channel. WD40 is very messy but a good lubricant to get it released.

May 1, 2002 | 01:23 AM

65limo

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From: Sioux Falls USA

Tailgate window won't operate

Hey!!! It worked. I tried suggestion #2. It's only the latch on the driver's side that is linked and I oiled that latch very well, but still couldn't get the window to operate. I closed the latch manually and operated the window into the up position and had the window propped up because of the weight. Then I found the wires you mentioned, clipped the two which were both labeled "Y" and spliced them together to bypass the safety override. And it worked!!!! What a job to get at it, but it was surely a lot cheaper to do it at home than to take it to a body or electrical shop. Thanks very much for the suggestion.