What is the opinion on Rodney Dickman's Electric Window Helpers? They would be $64.00 for both windows + shipping. My windows work very slow going up & down and I am wondering if they are worth buying. Jim
------------------ He who dies with the most toys wins. 2004 White Sebring Convertible 1986 Black Fiero GT Kathryn's Welded Metal Artist
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05:46 PM
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zefferk Member
Posts: 1019 From: Gold Canyon, Arizona Registered: Feb 2010
I have the same issue with mine. Have you tried to lube up the window tracks well? Try that first to try to save you some cash. I plan on doing that once the weather gets warmer. I have a new set of motors as well and plan to replace them if the lube job doesn't work. BTW, I got my window motors from Rock Auto and I only paid $25.00 each when I got them. Not sure they are still available now, but I've seen then for similar prices on eBay, etc from time to time.
I'm sure rodney's helper switches work as intended, as all of his stuff is the real deal. However, I'd rather replace a 25 year old part than to try to boost the power to compensate for their worn out function. Of course there is a lot of work involved in replacing the motors versus just patching in these switches...
Good luck for whatever you decide to do! Rodney won't let you down if you go that way though.
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05:57 PM
CC Rider Member
Posts: 2037 From: Cameron Park, Ca Registered: May 2001
Rodney's boosters appear to be heavy duty relays w/ contacts protected with MOV's. They eliminate the voltage drop across the window switch contacts, old or new, so the window motors see as much voltage as possible. Most noticeable improvement over old switches I would imagine...
BR's,
Mark
------------------ 86 SE V6 4 speed 86 SE V6 Auto 2008 G6 GT "Street" Coupe 2005 Buick 3.6 Rendezvous 2001 Olds Silhouette (AKA The Band Van)
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06:29 PM
jimlong67 Member
Posts: 256 From: DeKalb, IL USA Registered: Oct 2012
I have both new switches, the old ones the springs were broken. I need new dew wipes, so when stu starts selling them again I'll try lubing them before I spend the money. Jim
------------------ He who dies with the most toys wins. 2004 White Sebring Convertible 1986 Black Fiero GT Kathryn's Welded Metal Artist
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07:58 PM
Jan 15th, 2013
masospaghetti Member
Posts: 2477 From: Charlotte, NC USA Registered: Dec 2009
+1 for cleaning and lubing the window tracks. Use a rag and some brake cleaner to get the crud out of the tracks, and a good white lithium grease to lube it. You can get a tub of white lithium grease at NAPA for less than $5.
It doesn't take long to open the door panel up. It's worth the effort. That being said, I did get Rodney's window helpers and they do help.
My driver's side motor is still original and works fine. Well built units, I guess.
[This message has been edited by masospaghetti (edited 01-15-2013).]
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11:56 AM
rogergarrison Member
Posts: 49601 From: A Western Caribbean Island/ Columbus, Ohio Registered: Apr 99
You think Fiero windows are slow. You should try Mercedes SL windows. Must take them 20 seconds to go up or down. It was same on 3 I owned. Theyre direct motor to window lift bar..no other linkages involved. They come up so hard, they can break a bottle (dont ask).
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07:29 PM
fierogt28 Member
Posts: 2962 From: New-Brunswick, Canada. Registered: Feb 2005
Rodney's boosters appear to be heavy duty relays w/ contacts protected with MOV's. They eliminate the voltage drop across the window switch contacts, old or new, so the window motors see as much voltage as possible. Most noticeable improvement over old switches I would imagine...
BR's,
Mark
Thats what they looked like to me. I have a bunch of 451m relay packs from Directed Electronics, I've been thinking about rigging one up and seeing how it works.
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11:08 PM
Jan 16th, 2013
hercimer01 Member
Posts: 2311 From: Rockford IL. Registered: Mar 2008
This is all I did when I swapped power windows into my car. They are strong like bull.
So are you saying that maybe better grounding for the system is the solution??
I put new power window switches in my 88GT and there wasn't any significant or improved difference. One was from The Fiero Store, and the other was a GM switch. Would a higher amp altenator help?? I'm wondering...
------------------ fierogt28
88 GT, Loaded, 5-speed. 88 GT, 5-speed. All original.
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12:19 AM
PFF
System Bot
jimlong67 Member
Posts: 256 From: DeKalb, IL USA Registered: Oct 2012
Window motors does not need ground at/thru door body.
Window motors + and - goes to switches and windows circuit use G301 on right A pillar under dash.
If windows are slow, first check Replace circuit breaker in fuse box. C200. hidden by left dash. Try pulling left speaker. G301 Switches Connection to switches and doors. Clean and lube tracks etc
If you use RD... suggest wire relay under dash near each A pillar. Near switches is easy but not best plan.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Window motors does not need ground at/thru door body.
Window motors + and - goes to switches and windows circuit use G301 on right A pillar under dash.
If windows are slow, first check Replace circuit breaker in fuse box. C200. hidden by left dash. Try pulling left speaker. G301 Switches Connection to switches and doors. Clean and lube tracks etc
So are you saying that maybe better grounding for the system is the solution??
I put new power window switches in my 88GT and there wasn't any significant or improved difference. One was from The Fiero Store, and the other was a GM switch. Would a higher amp altenator help?? I'm wondering...
This, is my experience. I put the grounds in and yes of course lubed the locks inside the door and the tracks for the regulator. The locks would not work at all before I put the ground lead in because i did not remove the paint under the relay case. The only ground supply for the windows is through the black wire in the pic. If it's not grounded well you would be wasting money and time on other things. A sheetmetal screw into the chassis probably worked OK 25 years ago but with oxidation and time will add resistance to the current supply.
My Moms Cadillac N* had a sheetmetal screw into the floor pan under the back seat for a ground supply for the entire car. When the car was ten years old I was cleaning the connection once a year because the electronics in the car would go nuts periodically.
I'm not saying Rodney Dickmans helper doesn't work, just that Ground is supply is just as important as Voltage supply, and if that's not right then its pointless to go forward.
You don't need a bigger alternator, you already have a 100 amp alternator, if the belt is slipping, then you could look into the extra pulley from Rodney Dickman. And after you check your grounds, then go with Rodney's window helper and of course all the other suggestions.
[This message has been edited by hercimer01 (edited 01-17-2013).]
It has been more than a few years but one thing I remember is people complaining that even with new switches their electric windows were still slow Adding this type of relay system where the relay switches the line voltage to the electric windows made a significant improvement. That is mainly why I started making them. I'm sure some could do without them if they cleaned all their grounds, switches, connections, tracks etc. But that is a lot of work and adding the relays is easier. So one chooses.
------------------ Rodney Dickman
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
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03:53 PM
DaytonTD Member
Posts: 175 From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Registered: Dec 2012
It has been more than a few years but one thing I remember is people complaining that even with new switches their electric windows were still slow Adding this type of relay system where the relay switches the line voltage to the electric windows made a significant improvement. That is mainly why I started making them. I'm sure some could do without them if they cleaned all their grounds, switches, connections, tracks etc. But that is a lot of work and adding the relays is easier. So one chooses.
If one was to clean all of that, would they still notice a bigger difference if they also added the relays?
Originally posted by DaytonTD: If one was to clean all of that, would they still notice a bigger difference if they also added the relays?
Maybe or not. Hard to say.
Rodney said what I figured... Many owner want an easy fix. Fix PW right is hard when dealing w/ old cars. To make it more annoying, Slow power window can be a symptom of other power/ground problems. PW motor draws 5 to 10 amps each depending on system voltage, etc.
Example, Gauge and Length of wire affects wire resistance BUT he's direction uses relay near Fiero window switches? If so... Relay gets better connection but the length of wire is still long. (Soldering this is a good plan.)
You could follow his diagram but move the relays under the dash so you eliminate 4+ feet of wire and the switches and switch sockets carrying full PW power. (300 zone Wire harness runs under radio. Relays should fit behind radio.)
A better option is to run relays at each A pillar and... each relay get new body ground on A pillar power, new and short wires run to same breaker on fuse box
Even with all that work the power Windows can still be slow if the engine is off, Especially Car has an weak battery/alt, or bad power and/or ground Wire/connection the engine Bay or just about anywhere else, window tracks/wheels needs clean/lube, etc.
Many will alter power so PW runs w/o ignition key or run power to battery but that can be a problem w/ people w/ kid at home etc... Why? Kids plays with switches... PW can cause Injuries and in some cases even Death.
