So about a year ago my driver side window just stopped working. I got in my car, rolled it down and it would do anything after that. I know the motor is good (ran a direct power wire and it rolled up). I replced the switch and it wasnt that. I finally bought the plug that the switch plugs into and replaced it and still nothing. Ever since it stopped working there is a wierd buzzing sound coming from a small box under the dash every now and then. When I press the window button it stops, or starts if it isnt going already. I tried to look up what the box is but I cant find anything. Im adding two pics of it, they arent very good but its all I have. If anyone knows what this box is, if its the problem or where I could get one I would realy appreciate it. [IMG][/IMG]

 

Have you tested that power is getting to the switch?

The box people usually hear is the express down relay (your pic is not working). It does not necessarily mean it is bad. People often hear it when their window motor is not working.

 

yes the motor works. we jumped the wire coming out of the motor straight to the battery and the window rolled up fine.

 

and yes the switch is getting power, it still rolls the passenger side window up and down.

 

That doesn't mean it is good. Mine went out but still rolled down the passenger side. Find someone else with an f-body and do a quick swap. Takes five seconds to pop out.

 

I replaced the switch right after the window stopped working, so it definately isnt the switch.

 

I keep hearing about this relay-mod, and I've searched for almost an hour... but can not find a direct link to the instructions or pictures. I did find the thermal by-pass mod, but I'm not sure which would be easier- drilling the motor out or adding a relay and wiring.

I'm good with electrical, and I totally understand what's going on with the relay mod, but I want to actually see it, maybe there's a shortcut I would miss or something.

My passenger window's been acting up... argghh...

 

http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/fbody/expresswindow.htm

 

 

my window problems are both internal to the motor so not sure how anything else are gonna fix it. There's a little overload connector in the motor next to the brushes, that goes bad on just about all pontiac cars and chevy caviliers, probably more. Just need to solder it straight thru (bypass) then just make sure you dont end up pressing something on the window switch in the always on direction because once you do this nothing will cut power unless a fuse blows.

The reason is works down and not up is because there's no load in the down direction, just enough load to spin the motor is all the window needs since it works on the spiral gear method which the motor in the down direction is simply unjamming the gears, not actually doing anything. The up direction is where the load comes in and the thermal/load breaker (inside the motor) cant handle it after years of use (cheap). Simply bypass it and your good to go.

 

Did mine a couple days ago... another success Now my passenger window is way faster than the driver's window, which I always thought was pretty fast to begin with

A note to those doing this- be careful with the little tabs that hold the spring/brush in place... they snap right off I used an old trick to get around it- use a couple strands of wire and loop it around the brush holder assembly (one per side) to hold everything in place, put the cap back and snip the wire and pull it out. Works everytime.