New Owner - Mondial 3.2 Cab rear windows not lowering

Hello all,

I just purchased a Black on Black 1988 Mondial 3.2 Cab. I lot of maintenance work was completed on the car previously, but the rear windows will not lower.

Is there a manual method to lower these windows?

Any advise would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Kevin

 

No manual method. Sometimes the motors and tracks can be made to work by removing them and cleaning out all of the factory grease which is usually solidified by now. I did both of mine and it helped, though they are still slow going up. Do yours make any noise at all?

Welcome to the Mondial club. I have a triple black 87.

 

Unfortunately, when I press either switch there is no noise at all. Last week, I was able to operate the driver's side. But, now neither of them.

Kevin Sims

 

Thank you for welcoming into the Mondial club. I'm extremely excited to have one.

Kevin Sims

 

Sometimes cleaning just the switches will make them spring to life. I've used dioxit on other switches in the car with some success. Hopefully that does it for you. Lots easier!

 

I would imagine I'd have to remove them to clean them. I ask this because on another car I don't.

Kevin Sims

 

Yes, but they just sit in the console. Almost any kind of a straight edge can be wedged under the outer rim and used to pop them out.

 

Great! Thank you. I appreciate it.

 

Welcome!

There are a number of threads on removing and cleaning the window mechanism, so I won't repeat too much here. I have removed and cleaned mine, and I would recommend that is the best solution. It really isn't that hard, and the mechanism is very vulnerable to internal friction. Do clean the switches as well since it is easy, although that didn't make a difference for me.

You may also be able to free it up some by having someone help push or lift the window while the switch is depressed. I think many of these cars don't get the windows used much--the top goes down and stays there.

 

I just bought a rosa corsa 87 mondial and my rear windows were not working sometimes and sometimes they were very slow. I fully charged my battery with a charger and let it sit for a day. Now they work, albeit slow. On these cars electrical connections and grounds are the source of many problems. Hopefully that is what is wrong with your windows. Is yours a cabrio?

 

Mine work better with the car running. That extra couple of volts from the alternator makes a difference.

 

Good advice here for sure. Worked for me.


Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

For the switches, I like to use WD-40. It won't damage the plastic bits, and it lasts a long time.

I've found the best way to prevent the xxxx stopped working problem is to operate everything weekly. Headlights, driving lights, turn signals, stop lights, reverse lights, horn, antenna lift, window lifts, window lock, door locks, hood latches, glove box door, fuel door, engine, clutch, transmission, brakes, handbrake, etc. Let these things sit long enough, and they will eventually stop working. The rear window lifts are a little slow, this is probably normal.

It's also important to only use fresh fuel, and to replace the fuel filter annually.

Neat tip: With a long extension and a magnetic socket, you can change the oil without even jacking up the car.

 

Yes, mine is a Cabrio. I bought some connection cleaner and plan on doing it this weekend. Let's hope it works.

 

Great thanks. I'll do just that.

 

Working everything regularly makes much sense. After all, mine is an 87 3.2 which is 35 years old. We all must remember that we own an older car. My 1990 corvette is newer than my mondial.

 

Do you use WD40 (regular) or WD40 Contact Cleaner version? Thanks! I also have a '87 3.2

 

The original version because it's more oily. I'm thinking the oil stays on the contacts longer, and keeps things from corroding.

I'm curious as to your exact build date. Mine was built in 86, but I've seen it referred to as an 86, and an 87.

 

Don't get these sprays on the plastic surrounding the switch, you can stain or damage the plastics with the alcohol or solvent carriers in these cleaners. See if you can find a plastic safe cleaner, or use an eyedropper to leak it into the switch rather than spraying. Or buy this Deoxit stuff with its needle like applicator...
https://www.amazon.com/CAIG-LABORATORIES-D100L-25C-Contact-Cleaner/dp/B0000

Best to actually remove the switch to clean, but that does require some dismantling of the switch facsia.

 

My built date is May 1987, so would make sence it's an 1987 model.

 

Thank you all for the great advise. I bought Deoxit product and plan on using the straw to apply it. The goal is to not get in the switch plastic. I'll let you all know how it goes.

 

To be clear, the switch and plastic in it can handle most cleaners, it is after spraying a switch, I dripped a bit from the spray nozzle on my original platstic fascia panel surrounding the switch and it melted a spot into the surface. There are no replacement panels available (although years ago I did acquire an aluminum reproduction from an Fchat member that is on the car to this day).

This is why I would take the swtich right out, but careful application, or putting a cloth around the switch to prevent an accidental drip should be fine.

I am pretty sure that cleanup of the switch will solve your issue, so good luck with that.