Corolla window motors & circuit breaker

[AlJ]

My 1999 Corolla's left-front automatic window will role down all the way, but, if I immediately attempt to roll it up, it stops part way up, until about a minute of time has passed, when the window will roll up all the way. My understanding is this behavior is associated with a window motor going bad or the regulator binding, causing the circuit breaker to 'pop' (because too much current is drawn), but, with time, the breaker will reset (when it cools?) and the sequence of events can be started all over.

What I don't understand about this explanation is how is it that all three of my other windows continue to function properly during the time the left-front window does not function, if that malfunction is because of the breaker popping and not yet reset, since it is my understanding that all four window motors (and the sun roof) use the same circuit breaker ["fuse 37" in my owners manual]. Shouldn't the other 3 windows also not function until that breaker resets?

Can someone explain this?

AlJ

[TrailDust]

Hello, and welcome to Toyota Nation!


Let me move your thread over to the appropriate Corolla forum so the members there can help you out. Also, I'd recommend using that forum's search tool to look for past threads that may deal with your issue.

[AlJ]

Hi Trail Dust:
Thanks for the welcome.
Not sure how my post ended up anywhere but "8th Generation (1998-2002)", which is where I thought I sent it.

Before posting, I spent a couple of hours reading through past threads, which taught me what I did understand about window motors and their circuit breaker, but I did not find an answer to my question as to how one window's malfunction could pop the circuit breaker used by all four windows, yet the other 3 windows continue to operate normally.

I look forward to the forum's insights.

Thanks.......AlJ

[mr1114]

From doing searches and reading past threads, it seems its common for the motors to go bad. I'm having the same issue with my LR window. Did not read anything before about the circuit breaker being the culprit.

[AlJ]

Originally Posted by mr1114

Did not read anything before about the circuit breaker being the culprit.

See intermittent window motor - 2000 corolla
in which George says "When I lower them they only come up a few minutes then stop. If I wait a minute they will come up a few more inches, wait and repeat until closed."
I think he meant "... only come up a few inches...."

Ray O responded "A binding regulator is a likely culprit. Some carefully applied grease will help. The binding regulator makes the motor's circuit breaker pop, then it resets, and the process starts over. Another possibility is a bad motor."

In another thread, I read that as the motor is going bad, it will also pop the breaker.

AlJ

[mr1114]

If there's only one breaker for all windows, and the rest of the windows work when one stops, wouldnt that mean its not a breaker problem?

All the threads I've read make me believe a motor problem is more likely. Of course before I buy the part, I'll take the panel off and make sure nothing is actually binding.

[AlJ]

Originally Posted by mr1114

If there's only one breaker for all windows, and the rest of the windows work when one stops, wouldnt that mean its not a breaker problem? All the threads I've read make me believe a motor problem is more likely.

Dear mr1114:
Actually, on a different thread (than the one I previously quoted), there may be an explanation for how the motor could temporarily stop working, WITHOUT tripping the circuit breaker, and then start working again, mimicing what happens when a breaker trips, then resets. And if the breaker doesn't trip, then it would allow the other 3 windows to function properly, which is what I'm observing, and, if that is the case, then my problem is probably a motor going bad and not a binding regulator.

See: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-139463.html
in which "qslim", on06-02-2006, 05:12 PM, says:
"That description is a classic description of a worn window motor. High resistance in the windings causes the motor to overheat and render it inoperative. After a while, the motor will cool but will only have enough juice for a few inches of window travel before the same thing happens again. Confirmation would involve pulling the door panel and verifying battery voltage at the window motor plug when the switch is operated."

The person (thx607@gmail.com, David) who started that past thread said something that suggests it is best to try to do the repair when the problem starts, because, as the problem worsens, the window(s) stop moving, making the repair more difficult "to get the glass low enough". David said:
"I have a 99 corolla and the front power windows are not working. I just replaced the master switch and they are still not working. The rear work fine from their panels and the master switch. The problem started slowly first they would go down then I would have to wait a minute then they would come back up. Now they go down about a 1/8 inch and wont move. Both windows started having problems at the same time. Neither front panels work for using the front windows. Locks work fine."

Additionally, there's some useful details in this past thread for replacing the motor.

Thanks..... AlJ

[mr1114]

Today I came across a 01 Corolla. Both windows on the drives side are experiencing the same exact symptom. I explained to the owner that its likely the motors.

There's a thread on here somewhere with pictures that shows how to replace them. I need to find it again as I'd like to start using all 4 windows once it starts to get cool again.

[-AKA-]

I will be replacing the passenger side window motor next week on my '02. It will only roll down an inch or two and then it stops. It will not roll up once this is done. I gave it a day or two and I got it to roll up. I ordered the motor from rockauto.com, great site by the way. I hope this cures this issue, only time will tell...

[mr1114]

Update us on the results

[-AKA-]

Well I got to install the new window motor tonight. I followed the DIY at the top of the forum which is really well laid out. The only thing I would change is when you are taking out the 7 gold bolts that hold the regulator to the door, is that you actually undo the 2 bolts that hold the window to the regulator FIRST, carefully bring up the window and pull it up and out of the door towards the car. Then you can proceed to unscrewing the remaining 7 bolts on the regulator. This way will require you to plug and unplug the window controls on the door panel temporarily to raise and lower the regulator.

The issue I came across following the guy's step by step is that when you went to go undo the 2 bolts that hold the window to the regulator, after you have already unscrewed the 7 main bolts, is that the whole damn thing would move and get in the way of the front bolt when you moved the window down manually. After a couple of failed attempts I got it to work and lined it up with a different smaller hole of all things! HAH.

My recommendation is that just take it slow and use common sense. Installing the new motor was easier than taking it apart. It does help if you have another set of hands like I did, it just makes it easier. I bolted up the 7 mains first than plugged in the controls and lowered the regulator so the holes lined up with the holes in the door. We lowered the window down in by hand and screwed in the 2 bolts. Everything worked perfectly! Good luck to anyone doing the same fix. Sorry if my explanation was all over the place, it was a long day at work...