Troubleshooting Tailgate Window

[JD's Toy]

Hello! Hoping somebody can help me troubleshoot my tailgate window switch on the dashboard of my 1986 Country Squire wagon.

Situation:
Purchased vehicle last Sunday knowing tailgate window didn't go up and down.
- Pulled apart tailgate and found another switch for the window wired up and laying inside the tailgate but just floating around. Looks factory.
- Using above switch and a volt meter I confirmed power to the window motor, therefore determined motor was bad.
- Last night I replaced the window motor and confirmed that indeed it does go up and down now using the switch located INSIDE the tailgate and just floating around.
- BAD NEWS: Switch on dashboard does not work. Window never moves. I'm stuck here at this point.

If anybody can tell me how it's supposed to function that would be helpful to start the troubleshooting. Should that switch on the dash work at any time? Only with the ignition on? Only with the ignition on and tailgate closed?

Any input would be great! Thanks!

(Oh, I'm also haveing trouble with front passenger door, when you pull the handle it likes to release like 1 click, but won't fully open. Is there an adjustment inside the door for this? Figured I'd ask before pulling the panel off. Thanks!)

JD

[Lincolnmania]

jumper the dash switch see if the window works...if not check the wiring where it goes thru the rubber gromnet to the door...i think the switch inside fell off the lock cyl on the door......it's a little scary back there, but fixeable

[1987cp]

So it sounds like your motor and regulator are at least functional; that's good. The way things are *supposed* to function is:

1) When you turn the key all the way to the left, the window rolls down and you can reach in to the inside handle and pull the tailgate down like on a pickup - handy for hauling long items.

2) When you turn the key all the way to the left, the window rolls up.

3) You can roll the window up and down using the dash switch whenever your accessory circuits are energized.

I don't think my dash switch was functioning when I removed it last, but that's a moot point on my car because the rear window regulator's been busted for like 9 years now. My idea for controlling the thing once it's repaired has been to just wire my own switch using a six-pole momentary on/off/on switch - all it really needs is to put 12V across the motor leads, first in one direction and then the other. Heck, even two momentary switches, one for up and one for down, would still get the job done just fine.

[JD's Toy]

10-4. I brought my tools with me to work so I'll take a looksee at it at lunch today.

Thanks!

[JD's Toy]

Got it! Window is going up and down... and I also did see wehre that switch is supposed to bolt up inside the tailgate for the key hole.

Another question: The lock in the tailgate isn't working. I removed the solenoid and just tried to manually engage it but no luck. I don't see how it's physically supposed to "lock" the mechanism, so my guess is something has sheared off. Just another thing to fix / replace!

Thanks for your help!

[1987cp]

Kewl! Inside where the plunger goes there's a little lever that you can use to manually lock and unlock the door from the inside; the lock cylinder should have a little cam on the end of it that's connected to that lever.

[Tiggie]

Both latches have to latched on the wagon tailgate for it to lock. When the hinges get worn and the strikers loose their plastic, it's virtually impossible to get one to lock.

I have a question for you (or anyone else). How'd you get the window motor out without drilling the tailgate? I couldn't get to the bolts to get the window motor out without drilling unsightly holes on the inside of the gate.

[1987cp]

You're not doing so bad, Tigs ... I haven't figured out yet where to drill in the first place!

[gadget73]

I'm not sure if the rear motor on yucatec's car got rebuilt or not but I know there arent any holes in there. I believe I used a small ratchet wrench and removed the thing though. Its tight but there is enough room to sneak in there if memory serves. Think I had to pull one of the tin panels thats under the rear door panel to reach in to the motor.

[Lincolnmania]

i replaced the motor with a ford reman.....iirc i was able to get the bolts out without moving the regulator, but i could be wrong

[JD's Toy]

i had to drill 3 1/2 inch holes to get access to the window motor bolts. actually guessed pretty dang close.

drilled small pilot holes first and looked through them to make sure i was on track and didn't swiss cheese the rear door.

On the rear tailgate lock, i know that the top striker isn't latching on the door, so i'll mess around with adjusting the door and getting the latches to work before I fool around with the lock too much more. bushings on the drivers side are gone, so i'll try and fab up a metal spacer to take up the gap. door drops about 2 inches when you open it with all the slop in it right now...

[1987cp]

i had to drill 3 1/2 inch holes to get access to the window motor bolts. actually guessed pretty dang close.

That works; I kind of got used to how the other doors have dimples where you're supposed to drill. Don't suppose you took pictures?

[Lincolnmania]

tellin you mang i didnt drill any holes

[1987cp]

tellin you mang i didnt drill any holes

So you can get the regulator out without drilling holes? Or was this just reaching in and removing those two long screws retaining the motor body?

[Lincolnmania]

if you want to get just the motor out reach in there and unbolt it....a stubby ratchet wrench is what i used i thing......if you want to remove the regulator, just drill out the rivets that hold it to the door.....can use short 1/4" bolts and nuts and lockwashers in place of the 1/4" rivets