Got a few questions concerning the tail gate on a 1969 Sport Wagon. First let me give you some facts about this wagon. I just bought this wagon out of Arziona where I guess it has been sitting since (license plate say 1993)? It arrived with no keys but the steering column is somewhat apart so we were able to get the accessory power on (the wipers work). If you can answer any of the following questions please feel free to jump in. 1. Should the tail gate window work off the accessory switch by the instrument panel or is there another switch some where? The car has no other accessories. 2. Is there a manual way without power to lower the tail gate window, there is no window type roller handle? 3. What is the small black button/switch on the inside of the tail gate used for? It doesn't push in so guess it goes from side to side instead. 4. Does the accessory fuse in the fuse box supply power for the rear window or is there another one? 5. What amp fuse goes in the accessory location in the fuse box? 6. Why are there two manual lift up handles on the inside of the tail gate. Will the tail gate fold down or fold out to one side? Sorry for so many questions but we have never worked on a 69 wagon before and can't get the window down so we can't get the tail gate open. Thanks for any answers.
I used to have a '68 Sportwagon, and I seem to recall the key does all the work. Rotate the key to raise or lower the window. Starting in '69 the rear door works both ways; - it can either open sideways, or be pulled down like the previous year. I'm not sure what the switch on the side does, however.
I have a '71 Vista Cruiser and the key has to be in accessory or run position for the window to work. The switch on the dash and the key switch on the tailgate raise or lower the window. The power goes from a circuit breaker on the firewall or maybe a circuit breaker on the fuse block with a corresponding accessory receptacle for the plug, a heavy gauge wire goes to a relay behind the left kick panel from either. A light gauge wire plugs into the relay and goes to the fuse panel and plugs into an ignition receptacle to energize the relay when the ignition key is turned. I would check all that wiring out and make sure you have power to it, usually that's the problem. There is no way to lower the window without taking apart the inside panel and disassembling the regulator and all that. There is a switch inside the gate that won't let the window go down with the gate open that can come loose or go bad too. Check the relay and where the power wire goes, the power windows in the gate or doors always use a circuit breaker in my experience. If on the panel it plugs in like a fuse, little metal box deal. Mine is on the firewall and there are eyelet terminals for the wires and it screws on, has a rubber cover. If there are two handles it's a dual action gate. If the switch is on the inside of the right rear pillar it's for the center rear dome light.
My first suggestion would be for you to get a key made. All of the doors except the glove box operate on the same primary key. If you can get the cylinder out of the column, there should be a number stamped on it. Take the cylinder to a locksmith and they should make you a key. Don't try the dealer, they can't even help on a 1987 Buick (they sold the car too!). If you can't get the column cylinder out, try the door cylinders. Again, they should have a code stamped on the cylinders. When you get a key made, apply power and try it from the tailgate switch. Also your ignition switch accesory position should be counter-clockwise (mine is not for reasons unknown). It should definately work in the running position if the wiring/ relays/ and motor are operational. If you're still not getting anything, I have the '69 Chassis Manual and can scan the tailgate wiring diagram if you would like. Pulling the motor out should be a last resort due to the counter-weighting springs. Wayne
Sorry, I should have closed these questions out. We changed out the column with another one (with a key), replaced all the fuses, and hit the switch at the top of the dash and presto the window went down and up like it was supposed to do. This car has been sitting since 1993 and no one was more surprised than we were. Thanks for your offer of help.
