Has anyone researched an effective replacement window motor

I know the window motor wiring is a performance limiting issue, but wondered if anyone found a replacement motor from another make with requisite torque and speed for non-glacial operation. Are window motors so unique to specific models?

 

Dennis, check this out and rejoice:

http://www.superformance.co.uk/a-308/electrical.htm

I have learned that the slow mode is a result of hardened lube in the mechanism.

 

I didn't mean an OEM replacement; I mean a substitute that works well for a long life without heroic measures...like maybe a widow motor from a Mazda or 'Yota

 

The wiring is half the issue at leaast.

I put in the window relays and the window speeed increased by twice WITHOUT cleaning anything.

 

It looks very similar to the system Audi used in the 5000S.

THOSE were $415 each.

 

Or you could use Birdman's Window setup. I think a few people on here have done that. $99 per set and you don't have to replace the whole system, cant beat that!

http://www.birdmanferrari.com/windows.htm

 

The slow 308 window problem is usually down to a combination of old/solid grease in the gearboxes & crap wiring. While you can improve things by putting the relays in, you are also likely to be putting the motors under some strain unless you clean out & re-grease the mechanisms first.

 

Twice as fast as original just gets them from glacial to outrageously slow. I just want to open and close my windows like normal people.

 

I'm aware of that, but would rather replace it with motor that functions with more vigor if it could be done without it being a major project.

 

I don't think the actual motor is the problem though - its the grease in the gearbox and the power feed to the motor. If you fix those things then reports are that 308 windows work pretty well I think.

Even if you could find an uprated motor, surely its just going to overload the wiring even more than the standard one does & its still going to be limited by a lack of voltage?

....and then the sticky gearbox is just going to compound the issue.

 

I don't think it would be that much of a project. The only hard part would be running some 10 or 8 gauge wire from the fuse box or battery to each door, and perhaps the rebuilding of the window mechanisms themselves, but there's plenty to read about it, so you wouldn't be doing it blind by any means.

 

Mine are at about 2.5-3 seconds down and 3.5-4 secs up ..... AT MOST (and perhaps a bit faster).


There was a thread here with a guy who had ROCKET-like windows down and up, but several clean-ups and mods had to be made.

Check the archives.

 

That may have been my thread. I disassembled everything. Cleaned the motors, gears and pulleys. I replaced the cables, installed the double relay mod and installed a new 12v line to the fusebox. The windows went up and down as fast as my 07 F150.

Unfortunatley it only lasted a season before the drivers side started slowing down. Eventually it would not move periodically. The relays were just clicking and the motor was pooched. I guess it was too much for the 36 year old motors.

I replaced the window motors, removed the relays, and now they work just fine. Not ad fast as before but as fast as any 308 I've seen in good working order.

It's a combination of all the old components failing over time. The motors were around $100 each. The switches original but cleaned and working fine. The wires are good, new connectors, I did put in Birdmans fuse boxes but am switching back to new original style type. They did help as the originals were toast but I'm not happy with them in the GT4.

Also I found that the window channels along with the shimming of the rails makes a difference.

Anyway when everything is back to original, or as close as possible they work well, I don't think more powerful motors is needed, wires will also need upgrading most likely if that's done.

 

Assuming the motors are a pretty standard design:
If the motor is completely dead then its often the thermal cutout inside which has failed. These are small components inside the motor casing which consist of a bi-metallic strip which opens contact when overheating. The contacts can become corroded. The part is sealed but can be opened by prising around the metal cover. They are usually around 10mm long in a metal oval shaped housing.
Its easy to check this part with a test meter, for continuity.

 

The only thing I did to my car was to remove the motors and clean out the old grease. That old stuff became more like glue than grease. It isn't that hard of a job. The windows became so fast I had to replace the rubber stops at the bottom. I thought I was going to break the window. They work very well with no other mods done.

 

I cleaned and lubed my window motor assembly almost 10 years ago and it still works perfect. The windows go up and down as fast as many modern cars. The problems are normally in dried up grease and worn out window switches. Replace those and you'll be fine. New window motors are only needed if the old ones are worn out. I suspect Fave had his motors strain for so long that once he unleashed them they were tired and needed replacing.

In many cases it is the switch and not the motor assembly. The fast test is to disconnect the motor where it comes out of the door and connect directly to 12V power. If the window is fast then your problem is the switch. If not then the motor assembly needs to come apart. I always suggest this route because you may take the whole door apart only to find that the grease is fine and it was the switch all along.

Ask me how I know

 

The rear motors (or front don't remember) are the same from an Alfa milano ($5 each junk yard) and they will make the windows fly as long as you have enough juice flowing to the motors, I also replaced my fuse box with 3x 6 gang hella boxes (amazon $7.90 each) with ATO fuses, cleaned everything up and the windows fly.......