Big Vern 103 Posted August 14, 2016 Report Share Posted August 14, 2016 Ho does anyone know how easy it is to change the window lift motor? My 86 S3 seems to have a failed one on the passenger side. It went all the way down but not back up. I can hear it clicking both ways but the motor is not moving it at all.... Any help or instructions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Barrykearley 6,861 Posted August 14, 2016 Report Share Posted August 14, 2016 Only a few nuts and bolts inside the door - you need a double jointed midget orangutan to assist !! 1 Quote Only here once Link to post Share on other sites
Andyww 1,278 Posted August 16, 2016 Report Share Posted August 16, 2016 Are you sure it's not a wiring issue, loose or corroded connections causing voltage drop or possibly wires almost broken through where they get flexed when the door opens/closes. The motor has push on connectors which are tricky but not impossible to get to, so you could try making some wires and connect 12v directly to the motor and see if it then lifts. if you end up taking it out for refurb (they don't usually need replacement) you will need to try this anyway as its going to be very tricky to remove it with the window in the down position. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chillidoggy 4,344 Posted August 16, 2016 Report Share Posted August 16, 2016 On 14/08/2016 at 21:43, Barrykearley said: Only a few nuts and bolts inside the door - you need a double jointed midget orangutan to assist !! Offering your services then, Barry? Quote Margate Exotics. Link to post Share on other sites
Barrykearley 6,861 Posted August 16, 2016 Report Share Posted August 16, 2016 My grazes and cuts from doing the job on my last car have just healed - can't help sorry !! 1 Quote Only here once Link to post Share on other sites
C43 55 Posted November 19, 2018 Report Share Posted November 19, 2018 I have had the window lifters out multiple times now and it helps when fitting to start with the motor to the rear of the car, the arm pointing forwards. Thread the roller onto the bottom of the glass then rotate the motor assembly to the correct way around, i.e. motor forwards and bolt in place. I did this last night and it was much easier than the battles I have had in the past. cheers C43 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ekwan 70 Posted November 25, 2018 Report Share Posted November 25, 2018 Can I ask from where a new window lift motor can be purchased from. They seem to be obsolete as far as Lotus is concerned. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
C43 55 Posted November 25, 2018 Report Share Posted November 25, 2018 I have seen them on ebay. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gold FFM Kevin Wheeler 346 Posted January 13, 2020 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 Has anyone found an alternative to fit a 1984 Turbo Esprit, please? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
drdoom 399 Posted January 13, 2020 Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 Something to start your search - https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corvette-door-window-motor-right-1968-1982.html 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Coleman 495 Posted January 13, 2020 Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 6 hours ago, Kevin Wheeler said: Has anyone found an alternative to fit a 1984 Turbo Esprit, please? If they're the same as an S1 @Lotusfab found an alternative. Quote Lotus Esprit [meaning] a 1:1 scale Airfix kit with a propensity to catch fire Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 3,192 Posted January 14, 2020 Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 Hi Eric. They are AC delco. Made for the Corvette and other American cars. Best to buy new or remanufactipured. They are very cheap from th US about £70 when I bought them on ebay.. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gold FFM Kevin Wheeler 346 Posted January 14, 2020 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 Thanks for your help, people. @Lotusfab would you have a part number, please? Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 3,192 Posted January 14, 2020 Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 Hi Kevin, I think theres a link to my purchase on my S1 and Turbo blogs. The only problem theres a lot of pages to look through. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gold FFM Kevin Wheeler 346 Posted January 14, 2020 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 Thanks Fabian. I will have a search. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 3,192 Posted January 14, 2020 Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 Look for AC delco, 1978 corvette window motors they are handed. This sort of thing. I got a new one very cheap. I did put links on my blogs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gold FFM Kevin Wheeler 346 Posted January 14, 2020 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 Thanks Fabian. That is brilliant! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
drdoom 399 Posted January 14, 2020 Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 As I recall there was a change of spur gear on the motor over the era in question. Seems the version fitted to our cars was that with fewer teeth and I expect the one with a higher tooth count could be incompatible with the sector gear on the window regulator. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gold FFM Kevin Wheeler 346 Posted January 14, 2020 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 Thanks. I will check. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 3,192 Posted January 14, 2020 Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 On the second one I bought I just swapped in the drive gear. The bit that always fails is the motor itself. The permanent magnets demagnetze and the torque is greatly reduced. The first corvette motor I got was remanufactured and worked perfectly and had the correct gear. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Coleman 495 Posted January 14, 2020 Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 I have been told that the commutator gets smeared with grease and that causes the sluggish response. So I'm going to try cleaning mine before I spring for a new pair as my window speed is glacial. Quote Lotus Esprit [meaning] a 1:1 scale Airfix kit with a propensity to catch fire Link to post Share on other sites
Gold FFM Kevin Wheeler 346 Posted January 14, 2020 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 My window has stopped completely. My mechanic (Cos from Sportomotive) tells me that the trouble is usually with the magnets and you can rebuild it. I just thought I would see if anyone could tell me whether they had found an alternative. Both Cos and S J sports have told me they are no longer available. I wondered if anyone on TLF knew better! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Coleman 495 Posted January 14, 2020 Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 10 minutes ago, Kevin Wheeler said: My window has stopped completely. My mechanic (Cos from Sportomotive) tells me that the trouble is usually with the magnets and you can rebuild it. I just thought I would see if anyone could tell me whether they had found an alternative. Both Cos and S J sports have told me they are no longer available. I wondered if anyone on TLF knew better! Go to 8:05 it really sums up early electric windows on older cars... Quote Lotus Esprit [meaning] a 1:1 scale Airfix kit with a propensity to catch fire Link to post Share on other sites
Gold FFM Kevin Wheeler 346 Posted January 14, 2020 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 Yeah that about sums it up! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 3,192 Posted January 15, 2020 Report Share Posted January 15, 2020 I spent months trying to get the drivers window working on my S1. I completely rebuilt the motors, cleaning and greasing them. I removed all dirt from the comutator and cleaned them up Then I adjusted the window to get it sliding with minimum resistance. I spent months trying to get this working.The only thing I couldn't do was remagnetize the mangnets. The window still would not travel more than half way. I replaced the motor with a new one. Window works perfectly. Conclusion the permanent magnets have gone weak and reduced the torque so much the window wouldn't move. I had exactly the same issue on my Turbo. That now works perfectly with a brand new AC delco motor. In the states there are lots and lots of these AC delco motors. Some are brand new and remanufactured. The gear just pushes out very easily and plugs into the new motor and case. So all you really need is the motor and body. This is the same as the one used on the earlier Corvette. Two minutes search, here you go.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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