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tailgate motor

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84gmcjimmy

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Hello all.

For some reason out of the blue my tailgate motor in my Jimmy (1984) doesn't work. I can't get it up or down with the inside control or with the key. BEFORE I could do it with the key every time, now it doesn't do anything, and I can't hear any sounds. This is while the truck is running so the battery has nothing to do with it.
What can I do to fix this? I need to get the window down ASAP...

Thanks
 
hummm,
did you check for power at the connector in the back going to the tailgate? underneath the inspection cover? while you have someone pushing the button or turning the key?
LUKE
 
Take the cover off, inspect everything. From the tailgate open/down position you can roll the window up and down (get something or someone to support the window). Remove the cable at the motor side and attach a drill motor to the cable. You should be able to run it up and down with no problem. This also will be a good problem determination exercise.

This will work with the tailgate up also - just not as easy.
 
Is the tailgate firmly latched? There is an interlock switch that prevents the window from working if the tailgate isn't firmly shut...

Rene
 
The tailgate is loose, I will wiggle it around a bit. The hinges are hooped so it doesn't latch properly.
It's in the up position so I cannot open the tailgate.

Thanks
 
What's with this "hooped" term all of a sudden?
 
Take the plate off and check everything like was previously mentioned. I used to not be able to lower mine but with the switch. After I took the esutcheon Off I found that a wire wore through on the key cylinder and it was grounding out on the tailgate.

Once you get it open You can raise the window up with the tailgate down by flipping out the latches, have someone hold the window with you do that.
 
ryoken said:
What's with this "hooped" term all of a sudden?
Click to expand...

I have been out at this lake with my moms boyfriends family a lot, and some of there friends say that word so it wore off on me...:doah:
 
If your motor is out good luck. They aren't available anymore. The local GM dealer got me a rebuilt one from somewhere in TX. I tried 3 different motors and none of them had the power to lift the window. That's after I had them install all new hardware and tracks. I don't know what the solution is to that problem.
 
tiger9297 said:
If your motor is out good luck. They aren't available anymore. The local GM dealer got me a rebuilt one from somewhere in TX. I tried 3 different motors and none of them had the power to lift the window. That's after I had them install all new hardware and tracks. I don't know what the solution is to that problem.
Click to expand...

Entertain this thought. The ground for the window motor is the motor casing itself. If your hinges/tailpan are rusty then there will be significant resistance for the ground. Try running a 10 or 12 gauge wire directly from the motor casing, through the existing wire harness for the window motor, and ground it to the bare metal on the frame. See if that helps. I haven't tried this since mine works fine, but it's just a theory I've always had.
 
UPDATE

Well I finally clued in and took the cable off the motor and hooked it up to a drill. That worked, I rolled it down like that. It was so simple, but so neat how it worked...

Took the motor out and tested it with 2 wires and the battery... it didn't move or make a single sound...so I am guessing it's dead.

Used a test light with the 2 wires that connect into the tailgate motor, none of them had juice so I don't know where they lost the juice. All this was done with the tailgate open, which I am assuming wouldn't affect the outcome?

What can I do?
 
You need to make sure you have the switches by the tailgate latch tripped to allow power to the motor if the tailgate is down. There is an interlock to keep you from operating the window with the tailgate not fully locked in the up position.

Ira
 
So power will not go to the window AT ALL if the tailgate is down? Where is the interlock thing I need to disable while the tailgate is down?

Can you confirm this...
With the tailgate open, and the interlock not tripped, I will have NO power, nor will I have any power in the wires while using a test bulb? I need the tailgate closed or the interlock tripped before I can test it or use a test light?

Thanks
 
84gmcjimmy said:
So power will not go to the window AT ALL if the tailgate is down? Where is the interlock thing I need to disable while the tailgate is down?

Can you confirm this...
With the tailgate open, and the interlock not tripped, I will have NO power, nor will I have any power in the wires while using a test bulb? I need the tailgate closed or the interlock tripped before I can test it or use a test light?

Thanks
Click to expand...

That is correct. All I do is trip the lock as if the tailgate is up and latched. I have never had any problems doing it this way.

Ira
 
84gmcjimmy said:
Took the motor out and tested it with 2 wires and the battery... it didn't move or make a single sound...so I am guessing it's dead.
Click to expand...

You know that both wires inside the plug are positive, right? The ground is to the body of the motor itself.

If it really is busted, Autozone sells them for $54 with a lifetime warranty. I don't why everybody thinks they're so hard to find.

CARDONE_REMAN Lift Motor - Window for a 1984 GMC Truck Jimmy 4WD
Unit Price: $53.99
Core Value*: $30.00
Part No.: 42-20
Weight: 4.5 lbs.
Warranty: LLT


Definitely be sure you check for a good ground, too. That's what was wrong with mine when I bought it.
 
Didn't know that about both being positive... so I need to connect two wires from the positive end to those plugs to test it out of the tailgate? How do I check the ground since the ground is the case itself, is it inside or how can I clean it or fix it?

Thanks'

goldwing2000 said:
You know that both wires inside the plug are positive, right? The ground is to the body of the motor itself.

If it really is busted, Autozone sells them for $54 with a lifetime warranty. I don't why everybody thinks they're so hard to find.

CARDONE_REMAN Lift Motor - Window for a 1984 GMC Truck Jimmy 4WD
Unit Price: $53.99
Core Value*: $30.00
Part No.: 42-20
Weight: 4.5 lbs.
Warranty: LLT


Definitely be sure you check for a good ground, too. That's what was wrong with mine when I bought it.
Click to expand...
 
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