How to Improve Power Windows

[Warren99]

About to install power windows and locks (from 87 Chief) into my 89 Base. As of right now, I haven't done anything to the window tracks them selves, but they seem pretty slow. I don't wanna have to do a window relay set up or anything, so keeping that in mind, what should I use to clean/lube it up? Also should I take the motors apart and clean the contacts? Should I just spend $100 on a set of new aftermarket motors?

[jpnjake]

1 hour ago, Warren99 said:

About to install power windows and locks (from 87 Chief) into my 89 Base. As of right now, I haven't done anything to the window tracks them selves, but they seem pretty slow. I don't wanna have to do a window relay set up or anything, so keeping that in mind, what should I use to clean/lube it up? Also should I take the motors apart and clean the contacts? Should I just spend $100 on a set of new aftermarket motors?

I had a pretty slow power window on my passenger side of my 2000 xj, what helped it a lot was some silicon spray right into the tracks the windows move up and down on, just make sure you get the stuff that dries and acts like a dry lubricant to not attract dust, then just spray the tracks trying to get the top and bottom of both sides, and then roll the windows up and down a handful of times 

[Warren99]

Alright I'll try that when I get to that point. Do you think silicon spray would be the thing to spray into the chain part of the assembly, or should I be using wd40 or something like it?

[jpnjake]

2 hours ago, Warren99 said:

Alright I'll try that when I get to that point. Do you think silicon spray would be the thing to spray into the chain part of the assembly, or should I be using wd40 or something like it?

Not too sure what to put inside, from my thinking I’m thinking silicone probably isn’t the best along with wd40, I’d look into what the factory used, it’s probably some kinda grease 

[ghetdjc320]

I’d start at the window track as well. There is no window relay system in the MJ so making sure you have good clean contacts is extra important. @Minuit had some insight into this as well iirc. 

[eaglescout526]

You’ll have to make your own addition to the harness for the relays. Unless your harness has the relays for the keyless entry, you can use those for the windows. 

[Warren99]

I didn't see anything for relays, but I'm trying to avoid having to do that anyway. If I get it all set up in my doors and cleaned and they are too slow then I might do relays or new motors, although likely look into the relays before new motors.

[Htchevyii]

 

 

I used a step up convertor to increase voltage to the motors. Even after I pulled the regulators out and lubed them, lubed the window runs with silicone and cleaned the connectors, my windows operation was pathetic. Now they go up and down like a new car. The most readily available step up convertor increases voltage to 19V. I think that 15-16 might be ideal. I did find a 13.8V model and that might be fine as well. I am currently using the 19V, but have ordered an adjustable unit so that I can see what the ideal voltage would be. You definitely want to make sure that everything is well lubed and would need to use caution if frozen because they now have the power to break stuff!  I mounted the box under the driver's kick panel, powered by the stock power connector on the fuse box and then just plugged the violet wire into the box. Easily reversible. A YouTube video is in the works.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01H97ETP8?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

[Warren99]

I'll keep this in mind. Is there any potential damage from running the motors at 19V?

[Htchevyii]

2 minutes ago, Warren99 said:

I'll keep this in mind. Is there any potential damage from running the motors at 19V?

The jury is still out, I've heard of others successfully using the 19v unit. I am going to see how they perform at a lower voltage when I get the adjustable unit. My windows were pretty much unusable before, so it's not much of a risk to me. I've seen 6V starter motors used with 12V conversations for years and they seem to work fine. Also, the window motors operate for a much shorter period of time and don't stall or struggle now, so it could very well increase their life? Try at your own risk, but I am content at the moment.

[eaglescout526]

I might have to use that when my XJ gets power windows. 
 

But the XJ/MJ era is awful for electrical. If you measure the voltage for the power locks and windows, you’ll see the voltage drop off from where it gets 12v to the motors and not to mention the grounds. I was lucky enough to get all my locks working without the modification to relays but as the harnesses age, so does the resistance. 

[Htchevyii]

18 hours ago, Warren99 said:

As far as grease goes,  this is the stuff that we used when I worked at a Honda dealership. I have been using it for years with good results. The real problem is the the fuzz wears off of the window runs and then the rubber grips the glass.

My windows runs had hardened and then busted up and got stuck inside the window runs.

 

[ghetdjc320]

On 5/8/2023 at 10:26 AM, Warren99 said:

I'll keep this in mind. Is there any potential damage from running the motors at 19V?

You could be shortening the life of the motor by perhaps 25-35%. But since it only runs occasionally, it really shouldn’t be an issue. Just make sure you aren’t binding on anything. I powered mine with a 18v battery while testing them all after install. Worked perfectly and the speed is better than most new cars. 

[pizzaman09]

23 hours ago, Htchevyii said:

 

This stuff is excellent, have used before on sunroof tracks.

[WahooSteeler]

You can install relays to improve power lock performance on the passenger side, I plan on trying to use the same approach for the passenger window instead of the step up converter. 

[Warren99]

In the middle of installing stuff right now. I’m perfectly happy with the strength/speed of the driver side window, havent got to test anything else yet

[jpnjake]

28 minutes ago, Warren99 said:

In the middle of installing stuff right now. I’m perfectly happy with the strength/speed of the driver side window, havent got to test anything else yet

How hard is the install of power windows for you, I’m considering doing it myself and am wondering if it’s worth it 

[Warren99]

39 minutes ago, jpnjake said:

How hard is the install of power windows for you, I’m considering doing it myself and am wondering if it’s worth it 

Not done yet, but so far not terrible. Unless you have the right size rivets you’ll need some 1/4 inch hardware

[eaglescout526]

1 hour ago, jpnjake said:

How hard is the install of power windows for you, I’m considering doing it myself and am wondering if it’s worth it 

 

25 minutes ago, Warren99 said:

Not done yet, but so far not terrible. Unless you have the right size rivets you’ll need some 1/4 inch hardware

Bolt them in place. Makes future removing so much easier. Plus the later ones from Chrysler are bolt in too if you find OEM ones in a junk yard. 

[Warren99]

The spring mechanism that hold the door at different positions seems to be stuck in the door. Probably has to do with how the rod pushed itself thru the skin

[Warren99]

[Warren99]

Nvm

[Warren99]

Now I somehow gotta flatten this out to fit the new one in

[Warren99]

Update: Everything is bolted on before the door skins. Everything works, but the lock switch on passenger side is a little sensitive( PO sent a self tapper thru it, I'll just get new switches from the junkyard, I need the clips anyways). Having not even cleaned/greased the tracks yet, I'm pretty happy with the speed. In the future when it gets slower I'll look into setting up relays or a step up converter. Also the PO put a different motor on the passenger side. Same shape and design, just different lettering and colored wires. I'd guess it came from the junkyard, but it seems to work fine so.

[ghetdjc320]

I will say, I tried running the motor directly from the battery with 12awg and it was no where near as quick as 18v. I would never run a motor that ran continuously (like the ac blower motor) on higher voltage but for window motors, nothing that I’ve tried comes close to the speed. In a perfect setup, I’d use both relays and the step up converter.