1983 Toyota Supra Neither window motor operates

MARY R

MEMBER
1983 TOYOTA SUPRA
300,000 MILES

I have 12V to window motor but motor wont operate. When I jump to battery the motor works every time. Shouldn't I be able to rule out the switch, the relay and the circuit breaker since I do get 12V at the motor connector? Resistance and continuity to ground at the switch checked out OK. I have duplicate parts of every component and swapped them out with no difference. The strange thing is when I operate the switch and measure across the motor the 12V is reduced. It's too unsteady to get the exact reading. Is this normal? Thank you.

Sunday, September 22nd, 2013 AT 3:58 PM

2 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
34,330 POSTS

Try using a test light instead of a voltmeter. It sounds like there is a high resistance break or bad connection. All you need is a little carbon track to let enough current through for the meter to pick up, but enough current to run a motor won't get through. The test light needs much more current to work so it will give more accurate readings. The clue is that 12 volts is going lower when you try to run the motor. Some voltage is being dropped across the bad connection leaving less than full battery voltage for the motor. Broken or frayed wires between the door hinges would be a good suspect.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Sunday, September 22nd, 2013 AT 8:38 PM

MARY R

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you so much carradiodoc. I will try that next weekend. You really know your stuff. I'm not used to test lights but what you say makes sense and I bet it will lead to the solution!

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, September 23rd, 2013 AT 5:31 PM