Jump to content
CaddyInfo Cadillac Forum

1983 El Dorado Window Trouble


71Fan

Recommended Posts

Having trouble with 83 ElDorado passenger side window. It does not operate from either door switch. Specifcally, what colors on the passenger side connector are the "up" and "down" wires so I can at least run a hot leg to try to get it back up?

Appreciate any help I can get as I *do not* want to take the door apart if at all possible, and prefer not to simply buy new switches prior to knowing if the motor still works.

Sure hope I got this in the right forum

thanks

mark

Link to comment
Share on other sites


If both switches are not operating the window, its probably the motor

If you use a volt/ohm meter you should be able to find the 12v leg and check the switches

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In the past, I have examined the switch, you should have three wires, a hot, UP and DOWN

Hopefully someone will have a wiring diagram for you

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks....if not I'll muddle thru.

The connector has 5 wires on it. The red one is obviously the hot. Guessing that 2 come from the driver's side switch, and 2 go down to the motor.

As old as the car is, if I tear the door panel off it will destroy the plastic holders as happened on the drivers side last year. Door panels are simply not designed to be removed. For that matter, window motors are not designed to be replaced either.

Prior to actually pulling the panel if I can't get it to operate, hopefully I can get a rod to slide in to contact with the motor and/or assembly, smack the end with a hammer, and jar the motor off the dead spot to at least get it back up. Would much rather do that than destroy the interior of a car that spent it's first 24 years as a garaged snowbird vacation vehicle in small town Nevada. Dang thing has all of 135K on it and considering it's age, it's still one of the prettiest cars on the block. Probably one of the most reliable too.

And of course, buying a shop manual is always an option but....anyways, thanks again....mark

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cool....got it up....ran a hot wire directly in to the red wire terminal, pushed the switch, and up it went. Guess it means the crossover stuff isn't working cause the driver's side button for that window doesn't work either. Best guess is the driver's side switch stuff needs replacing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's great,

Buy yourself a cheap ohm meter or continuity tester (these are cheap, buy a battery powered tester from Radio Shack) and test your switches, maybe both are bad, I usually take them apart and clean the contacts and bend them as needed

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the link and yea, buying a manual is an option. Thing is, I don't even do my own oil changes anymore so an entire manual is a bit of an overkill. While a window motor would be a hassle, it is basically sit down work that this tired old body of mine could handle.

My main reason for asking the question in the first place is that I wanted to know if the motor still worked. It does, and I seriously doubt it is a wiring rather than switch problem. And yea, it's amazing what a little alcohol can do for a switch.

Do appreciate your effort. Thanks again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My advice is to buy the shop manual. It will come in handy again in the future. The first purchase I make when buying a car is the factory shop manual. They pay for themselves the very first time they're needed.

Kevin
'93 Fleetwood Brougham
'05 Deville
'04 Deville
2013 Silverado Z71

Link to comment
Share on other sites

BbF....

Looked again for my old tester but couldn't find it so I bought a semi Top Shelf Craftsman. Digital with an ohm "horn", battery strength, rubber bumper, and 90 degree leads so ya don't waste them when it flips over. $25.

Confirmed that it is indeed the driver's side switch, and even after soaking in alcohol etc, it still didn't test out on the passenger side. Ordered another Dorman from NAPA. I say another because I replaced it about 2 years ago when the original equipment one went south. Should be here in a week to 10 days.

Anyways....appreciate you being here and if I ever get a find 83 wiring diagram on the net, I will definately post a link....btw, there are sites that offer on-line manuals for like a $15 membership fee where you can access just about every shop manual ever printed.

anyways.....I'll get back to you after the switch gets here to let ya know the outcome.

mark

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Glad to hear your progress, let us know how it turns out

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Keep in mind that there is a lock out, that I am sure complicates the wiring

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...