Car experts - Serena van with non-operational electric window...

It just died today, with the only warning being to stop halfway up yesterday and then continue to close. Unfortunately, it is stuck open, which is a big fat nuisance, as we have rellies visiting and it's the 'touring car' while they're here for the next couple of weeks.

DH has been able to get off the door panel, but can't get the window up manually. He tried moving the window while holding the switch down. There is no sound coming from the motor, which is unreachable with the door panel off. He measured the voltage on the motor side of the switch, and there is adequate power...

Any advice? Or recommendations for a quick fix? It's needed to go on an overnight soon... bad timing or what??[!]

Andrea, I know nothing about a Serena van, but we have a vehicle with electric windows, and there is a button on the drivers door which allows all windows in the car to be opened in one position, then in the down position it only allows the driver door window to be open, would you have one of these buttons, as you can inadvertently push it down in our vehicle and if any of the other windows are partly down, they will remain that way until the button is released. If you cannot get it up you may have to use a piece of plastic or cardboard to block the drafts. cheers and good luck.

THanks, 4trees... that was the first thing I checked. [] On further exploration, it would seem that the motor which makes the window open and close is *uggered.

Hi disconnect the motor and prop the window up with a short section of wood.
You can then test the motor and get one from the breakers if it is knackered.

little red digger;405303 wrote: Hi disconnect the motor and prop the window up with a short section of wood.
You can then test the motor and get one from the breakers if it is knackered.

Or if you want an operational drivers window now you could borrow another motor from one of the other windows and wedge that one closed.
(I am assuming it is the driver's door)

Hi, Dave -- thanks for that, it hadn't occurred to either of us to do that! Can't quite picture how to prop it up though... can you describe it in another way?

Yep, Organix, it's the driver's side. There's only the passenger's side to steal from. ATM, I don't mind not being able to roll it up and down, just want it SHUT till we can get it fixed.

you should be able to unbolt the motor on one side and pull it to one side enough to disengage the teeth in the lifter arm, just push the arm up with the glass and push the motor back into place so the teeth are holding the arm up again.

Thanks, kiwi! Mike thanks you, immensely. Based on what I read out to him, he said it makes perfect sense for getting a new motor in there. Since the van was needed today, he managed to block the window shut as per Dave's description, and he's going to start phoning wrecking yards to find a replacement motor. Oh, for the days of manually operated windows! :rolleyes:

Just another thought - is it definitely the motor? Often it is the switch that dies first..

If you can unplug / remove the motor - operate the switch and put a multi meter across the incoming plug to the motor - you should have 12V there if the switch is working....

Alan

THanks, Mainlander -- DH already checked, and the switch definitely working. He thought at first that it had to be the switch as well, but it's the motor. He has a salvaged motor coming tomorrow, and he's worked out how to get the old one out and the new one back in. THank goodness for handy hubbies! The salvaged part if only $80, and they're even couriering it, so he doesn't have to drive clear across to the other side of CHCH to get it. [^]