Beginner 88 Rear Window Help
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New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 20
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From: Wisconsin
Beginner 88 Rear Window Help
Hello to all;
I just bought an 88 bronco. It's mechanically sound but has the standard body rust for the northern states. I'm not a body repair guy or a mechanic, but hope I can learn as I go with help from you experienced people and the internet. The first thing I want to tackle is getting the rear window to work. Is there a web site that has a good set if instructions on troubleshooting the electrical and motor for the window? I have a multimeter but am not an electrician so a good set of instructions would really help.
I am very open to help, suggestions, and/or advice on getting my Bronco looking and running great.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Fropa
I just bought an 88 bronco. It's mechanically sound but has the standard body rust for the northern states. I'm not a body repair guy or a mechanic, but hope I can learn as I go with help from you experienced people and the internet. The first thing I want to tackle is getting the rear window to work. Is there a web site that has a good set if instructions on troubleshooting the electrical and motor for the window? I have a multimeter but am not an electrician so a good set of instructions would really help.
I am very open to help, suggestions, and/or advice on getting my Bronco looking and running great.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Fropa
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Beginner 88 Rear Window Help
First, buy a Haynes manual - it has wiring diagrams that show how the rear window works. The 2 switches share a ground, but have separate fuses (12V), so if you have trouble understanding the circuit, just ask.
Another good resource is this site, which has plenty of diagrams.
The most probable reason for NEITHER switch to work is a bad motor. You can temporarily swap motors between the doors & t/g to diagnose them, but the door motors use short wires and the t/g needs long wires, so you can't use a door motor in the t/g. A reman motor is about $80 and junkyards usually sell used ones for about $30.
If only one switch doesn't work, it's probably the fuse/circuit breaker for it. The '87-up switches are much better than the earlier ones, so it's not likely a bad switch.
Another good resource is this site, which has plenty of diagrams.
The most probable reason for NEITHER switch to work is a bad motor. You can temporarily swap motors between the doors & t/g to diagnose them, but the door motors use short wires and the t/g needs long wires, so you can't use a door motor in the t/g. A reman motor is about $80 and junkyards usually sell used ones for about $30.
If only one switch doesn't work, it's probably the fuse/circuit breaker for it. The '87-up switches are much better than the earlier ones, so it's not likely a bad switch.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 52
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Beginner 88 Rear Window Help
all you need is a test light....unplug the motor, and test between the feed and ground wire while the switch is up...or down....if the light goes on, the motor is bad. no light means you need to go test that the switch is getting power, and the switch is transfering power (both switches if you please). if your switches are getting power and working, then there is a break in the wiring somewhere, or a bad ground. electrical problems are so much FUN!!! 
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 383
Likes: 6
From: California
Beginner 88 Rear Window Help
I also have an 88 and I have encountered a few issues with the rear window in the 12 years I've had it. I will go through what I would do if I were in your place. I would first check to see if the key switch or dash switch work. If not I would open the panel and do a test with the old test light. If you have power I would say pull the motor or test it with a remote power source. Electrical can be difficult to chase if you are not familiar with how it works and having two switches in on the same device could be difficult for some. If you think one of your switches is your problem post back and I can help you through it. The third thing it could be and most difficult if you don't know its there is the safety feature that will not allow the motor to operate if the rear gate is open. This safety will make it necessary for you to drop the window by disconnecting it from the motor or depressing a rod that is essentially the safety feature and then lowering the tailgate. The devise if I recall is actuated by the tailgate catches one on each side. These can become stuck and will not allow the motor to operate. I am Mike and I will be happy to give any help you need. Good luck
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New User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Wisconsin
Beginner 88 Rear Window Help
Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to check it out this weekend and will let you know what I find and if I could use more suggestions. The bottom of the tailgate is rusted out and the door key does not turn the tailgate switch so I'm guessing the door locks were changed out at some time.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 0
Beginner 88 Rear Window Help
yo,
RFR wrote a nice t'gate wiring article with info on connector locations etc.:
http://rfr.htmlplanet.com/bronco/jou...al_page08.html
i have a few other t'gate article links in my gallery here in FTE; they include Steve83's excellent series and Chris B.s schematics and info.
RFR wrote a nice t'gate wiring article with info on connector locations etc.:
http://rfr.htmlplanet.com/bronco/jou...al_page08.html
i have a few other t'gate article links in my gallery here in FTE; they include Steve83's excellent series and Chris B.s schematics and info.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 0
Beginner 88 Rear Window Help
yo,
RFR wrote a nice t'gate wiring article with info on connector locations etc.:
http://rfr.htmlplanet.com/bronco/jou...al_page08.html
i have a few other t'gate article links in my gallery here in FTE; they include Steve83's excellent series and Chris B.s schematics and info.
RFR wrote a nice t'gate wiring article with info on connector locations etc.:
http://rfr.htmlplanet.com/bronco/jou...al_page08.html
i have a few other t'gate article links in my gallery here in FTE; they include Steve83's excellent series and Chris B.s schematics and info.
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Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 20
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From: Wisconsin
Beginner 88 Rear Window Help
Well, I removed the access panel. One obvious problem was the plastic connector on the wires from the motor was cut off and gone so no connection to the incoming power. I used a multi-meter and had no power from the incoming wires when the switch was used on the dash. Can't turn the switch on the tailgate. Looking at the tailgate from the inside, connected to the handle there is a bar/rod that goes to the left (passenger) side of the tailgate, but the bar on the other side is only about half that length and looks like something is supposed to be connected to it. Can I use a battery charger/starter to try and test the motor? If so, how do I change from up to down? I have a red wire and a yellow with red stripe wire from the motor. Is there a site with a good exploded view of the inside of the tailgate so I can see if anything is missing?
Thanks for the help
Thanks for the help
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Beginner 88 Rear Window Help
Yes, I dismantled a tailgate and took pics of all the parts as I did. The captions explain what to do & look for - just click a thumbnail to see the captions, and then you can navigate them thru the pulldown or the cue/review buttons.