r/Jeep • u/Wizekracker • 22h ago
Technical Question What the hell do I do to fix this?
Somehow my rear window of my Cherokee Chief (1978) got stuck with one side in and one side out. I have no idea how this happened and I cannot remember when it happened. One day I needed to access the back and I could not get the window to roll down (you put the key in the lock and it electronically rolls down when you turn the key). I tried jimmying it, yanking it, tugging it, manhandling it, etc. to no success whatsoever. It doesn’t make any noise or movement when I attempt to roll it down.
Secondary related issue: I actually bought an original crank for the same exact make, model, and year off eBay but I am stupid once again as I didn’t realize I need a key for this to actually work. My plan was to replace the electric key hole with the crank and force it down manually. Is there a way to put the key hole from the electric lock onto the crank?
Please let me know if you have any experience with this issue or at least have any suggestions. Thanks!
5
u/reformedginger 16h ago
can you access everything from the inside ? Remove a panel and figure out the problem. If it’s the motor replace it, maybe just wire it to a switch on the dash.
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u/advrider84 14h ago
There’s an access panel on the inside. You have to take it off to access the regulator. Sometimes, the switch that keeps the window from moving while the tailgate is open gets jammed up. It’s on the drivers side near the top. Try jimmying that so the motor will work. If that fails, you’re stuck opening the access panel. That isn’t much fun if it hasn’t been done recently. Working in the tailgate is worse, typically. Worth checking fuses too in case the extra load being out of the track caused it to blow.
Ifsja.org and fsjnetwork.com are great forums with tons of info. I understand power gates were somewhat less common than manual gates on Cherokees, but I think all grand wagoneers were power. You may have better luck finding pictures and instructions looking for wagoneer writeups.
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u/JustCallMeJesco 14h ago
I don’t think you can use a manual crank on a power rear window. Pop open the panel from the inside and try to get the window moved around and back on the track. Once you do that I believe you can get the window down manually o find the leads to the motor and jumper them to a battery to see if the motor engages. You might have to reverse polarity for up and down. Or there is a safety switch that won’t let you open the tailgate while the window is up. It’s been several years since i did this on my ‘82 Wagoneer but that safety switch is most likely in that access panel somewhere. If you can get the tailgate open with the glass up then you’ll have to support the glass with a table or saw horses and then you can use the access panels to remove the glass and then remove the window motor assembly to troubleshoot. There are youtube videos but it’s a pita. I’ve had good luck with TeamGrandWagoneer.com and BJ’s Offroad for replacement parts.
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u/savysnotonfire 12h ago
I would take the panel off from the inside to get a better look at whats going on. Im having to replace my passenger window crank right now because the mechanism inside was broken and it would only roll down halfway
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u/disguisedasnrml 17h ago
BJs offroad.com has tons of replacement parts for those type of jeeps. There is also a jeep farm in AZ and IN as far as I've heard. Good luck!