I have had interior apart to restore. When I put everything back, driver side window went up very slowly, won't go back down at all. Passenger side works great. I tried new switch, didn't help. One of the 3 wires seem to be a little loose on the connector to the switch, but wiggling it around didn't do anything. I checked motor and it seems to be getting juice. Does this sound like motor has gone out, or something else like the connector. Seems strange that it went up, but not down. Worked OK before I took her all apart.

Take the connector off of the wire and put a test light across the two wires. The light should light when you push the switch up, and again when you push it down. If it does not you have a switch/connection problem. If it does light both ways, the problem is in the motor.
A regulator will make it move slow, but usually not stop it completely. It would at least strain and try to move with a bad regulator.

Thanks Ken! I do have light both ways looks like a motor problem. How do you change motor? The replacement has no gears, is there any special tools needed to change the gears? Does the regulator have to come out in order to change motor? Any useful tips anyone has before I tackle this would be appreciated. Thanks.

Be patient and dont get frustrated and take your time.The regulator comes out with the motor.DONT try to seperate them inside the door.You have to install a locking bolt and nut through the reg to prevent the spring from unwinding.After removing some tracks and unfastening the reg from the window you have to prop the window up out of your way.I did this with vise grips with folded rags under the jaws and clamped two pair onto the sides of the window just above the opening the window comes out of.You have to kind of work the whole thing out of the access hole by folding up the reg arms (and trial and error )but it does come out,dont force anything.A good piece of advice is to get the repair manual for your particular year(the one made by GM).This advice is not all inclusive but will get you started.Let us know if you have any problems.
Jules

Just a thought from left field... you had things apart for resto. I had trouble with the door panels on my '76. The screws for the door pulls were too long and were contacting the bottom of the window frame when it past them, so it would go up but not down. Using shorter screws fix that. Also, one side ran a lot slower than the other. Turned out to be the window adjustment. After serveral trial and error attempts, I was able to get all the adjustments correct. When finished, the window moved correctly, freely, and sealed nicely on the new weather strips. Even though it may seem like a lot of work, maybe you should remove the door panel and try it that way............


Just a thought!

It's not that much more trouble to take the glass out and set it aside. I recommend it. Then take the regulator out.

Update and another question. I had the good sense to try the new motor before I took everything apart. I unplugged the connector, hooked it to the new moter and nothing. Tryed it on passenger side (which works fine) again nothing. Was sure the remaned motor was bad too, when it occured to me to try grounding it. I hooked aligator clips to motor and ground, it worked fine. Tried same thin on mine, it started working again. Is the only ground, the connection between the regulator and motor? I see surface rust an the regulator. It sounds like a PITA to pull all of this out to clean it. Any suggestions? Thanks.

You could run an extra ground wire attached to the motor and run to a ground. Use a 14 gauge wire. Lighter gauge may cause problems. It's cheating to be sure, but it may get you there. Run the wire inside the car and find a good ground there, don't trust the door if you already have contact problems.
Keep the wires neet and in place to prevent chafing or tangle problems. Besides, you don't want sloppy wiring.

You could get picked up for disorderly conduit.

conduit? Ken, time for a break.

suttvette77 said: I see surface rust an the regulator. It sounds like a PITA to pull all of this out to clean it. Any suggestions? Thanks.

while ken's method will work.. adding that extra ground..

you really should pull everyting out and clean it up..

in fact use a wire brush and clean every surface you can..

try not to leave rust if you can help it. might even use a coat of the that rust converter to protect it.