How Do I Get My Rear Window Down?

[rutang]

Hi Guys, I just bought a second Grand Wagoneer. This one is an 89. Anyways the rear tailgate window won't go down by the switch or the key. Is this a common problem? How do I get it down so that I can open the back and mess with it? The guy I bought it from genuinely seemed surprised and said he had it down and it was working fine the day before. Thanks for your help!

[Chevelleguy]

Take off the carpet and the inner metal panel then run wires directly to a battery.

[chr1s]

If it was just recently working, the saftey switch may not be engaging.
Last I messed with one of those was a while ago, but I think its on the drivers side of the tail gate.
If you peek through the gap between the body and the tail gate you will see it. Looks like a little lever near the top, on the side of the gate.
You can get a hanger or screwdriver in there and move it to the position where it will let the window operate correctly.

If thats not it then, as chevelleguy said you are gonna have to take the carpet and panel off inside the tailgate and connect 12v directly to the motor. its not hard, just a little bit of a pain in the ...

[chr1s]

Also, sometimes pushing on the tailgate on the upper, drivers side, will get the safety switch to work too.

[jaber]

I had a Cherokee that I had to bang on the gate under the key switch while turning the switch.... That was a once in a while scenario...:banghead:

[AnnieL]

I am in sort of in the same boat-but my issue is the lock-
I can't begin to count the number if times I've just been tempted to take a sledgehammer to it...:mad: Whoever designed GW tailgates deserves to be severely punished.

[rutang]

I could not find the safety lever. So far as taking the carpet off the tailgate it appears to be glued on or something... I have to tear that off to get this done? Just want to be sure before making a mess. Thanks.

[chr1s]

I am in sort of in the same boat-but my issue is the lock-
I can't begin to count the number if times I've just been tempted to take a sledgehammer to it...:mad: Whoever designed GW tailgates deserves to be severely punished.

lol

Well, I think they are pretty well designed when they work right:o

Problem is, it is time consuming to go through them the right way and get it all working :whistle:

[rutang]

Okay... I peeled the carpet off and took the metal plate off, now what wires do I cut or unhook that I hook to a battery? How will I get the window back up? I am still a little unclear on what I am doing here. Here are the pics so you can explain it easily for me.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh92/rutang79/Window004.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh92/rutang79/Window001.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh92/rutang79/Window002.jpg

[cu4whln]

The safety switch.. check that first....

its on the way upper driver side. The wires need to be connected together to have it pass power to the motor.

As stated before - try jiggling the gate while somebody works the dash switch.

I bet that gets it.... since you said it was working the other day.

If not, there is a large 2 pin connector going to the motor. That is the way to power the motor directly. Just reverse polarity for up or down.

Good luck, keep us posted....

[rutang]

I don't mean to seem stupid but I am still a little confused. But spell it out for me real simple using the pictures I posted. Thanks guys!

[Wagoncrzy]

Ok read all of this info first (sorry it's out of order)...it covers most issues with the tailgate and don't forget the links. I'm also reposting a diagram that should help...I would love to give credit to the person who made this but can't remember who it was. good luck.

http://www.wagoneers.com/FSJ/tech/tailgate-REPAIR.html

This is a copy of a post a I made. Read the Directions in the link below Very good stuff.
The directions below were for how to get the palnuts on.
It is frustrating to get the 2 palnuts on but it can be done without cutting the tailgate, I know I did it.

Installed the Palnuts by placing 2-2x4 blocks under the window lifter arm. Directly under the stud the palnut goes on. I then laid palnut on stud. Then using a 3/8 19mm socket (husky brand) on top of palnut, making sure all were aligned. I placed a medium to large flat head screwdriver in between the socket and inner body panel.I pried the socket forcing the palnut down onto the assembly listening for the clicks. One side took 1 minute the other side was a little more intense...(15min)
Thanx drlocke for the help it was good info. Directions http://www.industryfigure.com/berkel...gate/index.htm (http://www.industryfigure.com/berkeley/fsj/tailgate/index.htm)
I recomend it highly to anyone attemting this repair. Thanx to all who replied!!:) Window is in with new wipes,and works nicely.
here's alink to the original post
http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=51105

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x160/Wagoncrzy/DIAGRAMS/tailgatewiringdiagram.gif

[rutang]

Okay... I am more confused now than I was before. I thought someone said it was easy to get the window down?

[chr1s]

Look for the safety cut out switch up inside the tailgate and make sure it hasnt come unpluged, THEN try the switch or key.

ALOT of times that is the prob, especially if it was recently working.

Alternately, apply 12v to one side of the motors power connection, as said earlier it will move the window up or down depending on the polarity.

The easiest way to do this is with a wire that has an alligator clip or something like that so you can clip it on and apply power from a safe distance from the arms that raise and lower the window.

You do NOT want your hands and arms in there when that puppy starts to move.

[BGW]

What is that orange wire that is hanging around disconnected? I've never had my tailgate apart before.

[suzq044]

my Cherokee has that hanging-wire too. Of course, my tailgate is stuck down.. so getting to my wires'n stuff isn't so easy. I tried to pull the window out, but the noises it was making.. i stopped. lol

[men in black]

I made a PITA clip access hole. Its 2" dia with a waterproof electrical panel plug.
With a little custom bending. The foam piece goes inside the tailgate.

The photo below is with the window all the way down to open the tailgate.
Just make the saftey switch and raise it an inch.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n192/pixelhound/DSC02911smCustom.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n192/pixelhound/DSC03151SmallCustom.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n192/pixelhound/DSC03153SmallCustom.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n192/pixelhound/DSC03156SmallCustom.jpg

[rutang]

Okay... I have confirmed the safety switch is still plugged in, I have messed with the wires and pushed a pulled on the gate and I am getting nothing. I was going to hook the battery to the motor but that is where I quite don't understand. Do I just hook straight from the positive on my battery and clip into one of the wires while still hooked to the motor? Which wire? there are two that come straight out of the top of the motor right? Also what is the unit I have pictured in my second picture in one of my posting above and what is that orange wire that is unhooked. I also seen a black wire that has been cut down below by where wires go to the license plate light. I really want to fix this myself but I am a total beginner with this stuff. Thank you. Oh by the way there isn't a fuse that goes to just the tailgate is there?
Rusty

[jaber]

The 2 wires coming from the motor. Hook + to one and - to the other. do this in a quick touch manner(clip the neg, touch the pos) so you can figure out if the window is going up or down. If it is going up, put - to other wire and touch other with +. If it goes down, you have it figured out. If you look at Wagoncrzy's picture, you want the blue and dark blue wires(colors on yours my be different).

There will be a silver fuse in the top of your fuse box that is a self reseting circuit breaker for the window.

[rutang]

I just noticed that my tail lights, dash lights and both dome lights aren't working either.... do you think this could be related to the tailgate window not working? Thanks guys!
Rusty

[suzq044]

if that's the case, have you checked the fuse panel under the driver-side dash?

[Joe Guilbeau]

I just noticed that my tail lights, dash lights and both dome lights aren't working either.... do you think this could be related to the tailgate window not working? Thanks guys!
Rusty

...and now, for the REST of the story...

We don't have a good 1989 Wiring Schematic around do we? OLJEEP (Tom Collins) has the 1988 and 1990 but is missing the 1989 model.

Troubleshooting requires a step by step approach to get it done on a consistant basis.


Do you have keyless entry and if you do does that work?

Whatever the case, in order to get the rear windown down (which was your question) there are two wires that go to the motor to control the up and down.

These wires are Brown and Black, as was mentioned earlier, touching one wire to +12Vdc and the other to Ground you will run the motor in one direction, reverse the leads and the motor will run in the opposite direction.

Put jumper cables on the battery, run the jumper cables to the back and get them on the brown and black wires, there will be a bit of spark and they will attempt to weld themselves to the jumper cable clamps due to the current draw.

Again, this was mentioned earlier, just touch them to the the brown and black wires, if the tailgate window starts to go down you are there. If the tailgate window does not go down and goes up, them just reverse you connections.

If nothing but smoke comes out of the motor, then the motor is shot.

[rutang]

Great News! I am not a complete idiot after all... I got her fixed. Finally found the exact wires got the jumper cables on the wires... that was fun especially once the windo got down and in the way. But got it down none the less and then I discovered it was a bent safety latch like you guys all thought. Fixed it and the window works great from the dash! Still doesn't work from the key mechanism... any ideas on that? Not that it matters that much with the dash switch working. Thanks for all your help!