How does the rear window work? 1989 k5

[73newbie]

Hi,
I just purchased a 1989 k5 and I am not sure how the rear window works. The switch on the dash makes a thumping sound in the rear window like it is a power door lock, same noise either way the switch is pressed. The tailgate has a key opening that fits the driver/passenger door but it does not make the window roll up or down. No noise at all either way. How is the rear windows SUPPOSED to work? It did not have an owners manual when I bought it and I can't find one. This sucks, I can build a motor with my eyes closed but cant figure out how to roll the window down!

 

[tRustyK5]

The power gate has a motor similar to the PW motor, but is has what looks very much like a speedo cable coming off of it. The cable goes to the regulator assembly and roates the mechanism driving it up or down.

Often the regulator, or part of the mechanism gets mis-aligned and hangs up on itself. There is a fair bit of stuff that needs to move past other stuff and not a lot of room inside. This might be the clunk you hear.

Remove the inside panel from the gate, the cable is on the drivers side...and unscrews easily from the motor. Chuck a variable speed drill onto the cable and try driving the cable a little each way while watching what is happening.

Rene

 

[shaun89]

be sure if u do use a drill hooked up to the cable to move the window that u dont break the cable when the window is all the way down or up. u can twist and snap the cable pretty easy if u dont pay attention.

 

[cabledawg]

Are the Sub tailgates the same as the K5's? Cuz my 88 has the motor attached directly to the crank mechanism inthe middle of the the tailgate. The only way it would make a thump was if the motor had two of the three bolts missing or if the teeth onthe motor were stripped.

 

[shaun89]

Are the Sub tailgates the same as the K5's? Cuz my 88 has the motor attached directly to the crank mechanism inthe middle of the the tailgate. The only way it would make a thump was if the motor had two of the three bolts missing or if the teeth onthe motor were stripped.

no they are actually really different, and the K5 tailgates have a separate motor and "transmission" in the tailgate. thats y they have the cable going from motor to the "transmission". then the transmission is attached to the window gear.

 

[dfl701]

im having the same problem. is there a way to check the motor to see if its good. i know there is i just dont know the best way. my truck is missing the window switch

 

[Blue85]

The keyswitch in the tailgate is also supposed to power the window up or down (truck can be on or off), but it is common for the contacts to to wear out. There is also a "safety switch" on the DS tailgate latch that can prevent the window from going up (from either switch).

 

[73newbie]

ok, just got my much anticipated new motor for the tailgate. when I originally tested it, the motor would spin with the cable disconnected, and the cordless drill would EASILY spin the window up and down. Kinda confusing so I figured I would just pick up a new motor. guess what? same clunking noise. I hate to say it, but I am thinking about taking it to a dealership for a little debugging unless anbody has any new ideas. Oh, and how hard is it to replace the rear key switch in the tailgate?