Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I too have noticed those markings on the casing but I am sure in this application they are irrelevant. Don't forget that this is a Ford wiper motor "borrowed" by Lotus as a window motor. The casing has no effect on the operation of the motor it contains only the field magnets and no electrical connections. Since the polarity of the motor is reversed to achieve raise/lower functions it does not matter if the vehicle is pos or neg earth.[/code]

Hello,

I don't understand the function of the black wire.
Also my motors on a elan sprint 1971 are with 4 wires: 2 green connected toghether going to the green-red, one green-brown going to green brown and black not contected to anything...why?

Can I remove the black? or I have to connect to the ground somewhere?

Why the wire is different from the wire diagram?

thank you,

Umberto
Elan sprint 7108000193K

Umberto,

Unless you're planning on someday using your window motors for their intended purpose which was as wiper motors, you can add lightness by removing the black wire as well as the green wire that goes into the gearbox.

Thank you to Frank for the explanation; so, after all the info from this topic it is possuble to arrive at the following conclusion:

the official wiring diagram is wrong comparing to the reality, where all the window motor are with 4 cable instead of three and working in different wire connection.

Is it correct?

Ciao,
Umberto
Italy - elan sprint 7108000193K

Umberto,

The official wiring that I can see shows 3 wires to the motors, not 4. It doesn't show the extra green wire that goes to the gearbox because it is unnecessary unless you're using the motor to power your wipers. Of the 3 wires shown, the diagram shows the black going to ground at the courtesy switch otherwise known as the door switch. This black wire is unnecessary as well. While the brown/green from the motor plugs into brown/green in the harness, the green from the motor plugs into brown/red in the harness. I can only guess that Lotus selected brown/red for the harness rather than green because they were already using green to power several components including the windows and using the same color for the momentary connection between the switch and the motor would have been even more confusing. Are you confused enough?

Ditto on what Frank says about the wiring diagram and connections at the motor.
I would add that if the window direction (up/down) does not correspond with the switch direction, reverse the connections at the motor; brown/green (motor) to brown/red and green (motor) to brown/green.

Dave 72 Sprint DHC (0206K)

Or flip the switch over.

. . . or brown and black! As the dc motor works in either direction depending on polarity, reversing any two pairs will reverse the switch operation.

I still have my problem of the motors only working in one direction. I think it myst be a switch problem. Anyone know where I can get new switches to the same spec as the originals?

With powered windows being standard fit on most modern cars for the past 20 odd years, has anyone out there had a go at replacing the motor/cable system with something a bit more modern (and reliable)? Some of the latest do look very light in weight in comparison to the OE motor; so could possibly save a few valuable ounces.

Mike

Mike,

I have. The modern electric window mechanisms include motors that are much smaller and much more powerful. They are so narrow that the entire mechanism can be dropped into the window slot with the motor attached. The Elan employs a wiper motor that is much wider however unlike the modern motors, it can be seperated from the mechanism while it is being dropped into the window slot and then attached after it is in position.

Frank,

Any pictures or donor vehicle details available?
My doors are completely stripped down at the moment so now is the ideal time to have a go. I'm really keen to have a go at this one because a) there are so many horror stories of broken glass and b) the cost of a bit of wire and a few nylon pulleys is probably more than the cost of a conversion.
I suppose there's also a c) someone will buy my redundant motors off Ebay

Mike

Mike,

There are no donor vehicles because a modern motor cannot be attached to it's mechanism after it is installed in the door.

A thought about window lifters just hit me.

It could be lots more compact to use a small hydraulic ram to lift the window, with a small pump and reservoir under the bonnet to feed both sides.

I wonder what is available in that line.

I know this is a very old post, but I thought my own recent experience might help someone.

The RH power window on my Elan S4 suddenly stopped working entirely. The LH window worked fine so that eliminated a fuse problem. I checked the connections and they all seemed fine. Which left either the switch or the motor. Good news/bad news. The switches are available to buy (SJ SPORTSCARS have them) but it would appear to be a real PITA do get at them. Bad news/good news. The motor is easier to get to, but I couldn't find any for sale.

To determine the source of my problem (switch or motor?) I started by disconnectiing the two leads in the RH footwell (taking care to note which was which). I then placed a voltmeter across the pair of leads coming from the switches. I got plus nearly 13 volts volts pushing the switch in the one direction and minus nearly 13 volts volts pushing the switch in the other direction : the switches were working perfectly.

I then applied battery voltage to one of the motor the two leads in the RH footwell and earthed/grounded the other : motor still dead. I removed the motor and tested it again off the car - still nothing - I was fearing the worst.

I then carefully dismantled the motor (taking photos along the way to aid my failing memory...). The commutator did not seem too bad (I cleaned it up anyway). The brushes were not at all worn out, but one of them was sticking in its carrier. BINGO!!!

A liberal dose of WD40 got it to slide freely. I removed all the old grease and replaced it, put the motor back together, and tested it before reinstalling it. IT WORKED.

So I reinstalled it, reconnected the wires back to the switch and tested it up and down using the switch, and it STILL WORKED. I have rarely been so happy!

I put the earth/ground wire on the outside of the motor back in place before closing everything up, although as far as I can see serves no purpose at all in the Lotus power window use of this motor. It probably served to self-park the wipers in the motor's original destination (windscreen/windshield wiper motor for Cortina Mk1 or Escort Mk1).

I do hope this post will help some poor soul faced with the same problem.
Cheers
Tony