Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club

Has anyone got any tips to help move an electric window that has been stuck shut for 5 years?
The window stopped working about five years and I’ve just got round to trying to resolve the problem.
I’ve checked the continuity across the switch and in one of the switch positions it appears to be open circuit.
I’m hoping this might be the problem although I have a bit of a doubt as the lack of continuity should only affect the operation in one direction. I’m hoping it was the window down switch position.
Anyway I’ve managed to procure a new old stock switch, which is cheaper than a replacement window mechanism.
But I’m now concerned the window has been shut for so long that I might damage the mechanism when I try to open it for the first time.
Any tips on how to help it open the first few times would be appreciated.
Thanks in advamce

The door glass should be fixed to the mechanism via one or two white nylon blocks. If it's possible to remove the fixings holding them together you might be able to operate the mechanism without the drag of the glass in the channels.

Assuming the window has been up all this time, you might need to find a way of holding the glass in place while lowering the mechanism.

We'll be getting the sectioned show-car out of its long-term hibernation for display at Roverfest this weekend, so I'll have a butchers into the doors to see if there's anything worth photographing for you

Thanks John photos are always helpful.
Looking at the manual the bolts to separate the glass from the mechanism can be accessed through a hole in the door panel. It says to adjust the window to align the glass securing bolts to the hole, great if the window works or it is aligned when closed.
Will have a look next time I’m at the garage and should have the new switch by tomorrow .
Enjoy the Roverfest, sadly can’t make it this year but hoping to make MIlton Keynes show in September - if the car gets through the MOT.

I've swapped both my three door Rover 25 window mechanisms years ago after my purchase.
One was poorly functioning and the other had once a definite break down. I'd never thought it might have been the switch but who knows?
I bought 2 good used mechanisms on Ebay and I did the job myself with the help of my better half (and the Haynes guide!) by stripping the door trimming and the mechanism.
And mind I'm not at all a mechanic by trade oh no!
And since then no more any problem... so far...

Here are the mechanisms in a view that you won't see on any other 200

Front


Rear



(I suspect that the 2 screws through the front glass clamps have been re-inserted the wrong way round...)

Thanks John for the pictures, very helpful.
New switch arrived and checked it out electrically and it works ok.
Rechecked the old switch and that now seems to be working ok too .
Don’t know if it was my poor electrician hat at work or the switch has a intermittent fault - probably the first

Will refit the new switch and disconnect the connector at the motor and see if I’ve got a good voltage to the motor. Which I suspect will be the case. Will then replace the mechanism after the MOT if the motor still doesn’t work.

Well new switch fitted, good 12 volts to connector between the switch and window motor but no circuit between positive and negative leads to motor.
I’m pretty sure the mechanism/motor needs to be replaced.
Wondering if I replace the whole mechanism whether the motor could be refurbished and used on one of my other slow moving windows, I’m guessing the motor is attached to some sort of gearbox to drive the window mechanism?
Another little project

Currently in the process of purchasing a new motor and window mechanism so hopefully problem resolved.

On a slightly related subject is the drivers door electric window suppose to go fully down if the button is pressed for an extended time. Mine never has in all the years I’ve owned the car
.
But reading the Rover manual , whilst trying to understand the problem with the rear window, it seemed to imply it should.
Would this indicate an issue with the window relay?

Probably not a lot of help but this is the window switch on my 95 214 SEi.
If you press it gently the window starts to open - release it and it stops. Press the switch a bit harder, until it clicks, then release it and the 'Auto' function takes over and the window opens all the way. Being an earlier car yours may well work differently.

Yes this is exactly how it is on mine. Just when I pressed it past the click it doesn’t run on. Guessing there is some sort of relay in the switch ,or separate ,that keeps the power on for a short time. The circuit diagram doesn’t really help.
Will have a look inside once I’ve sorted the rear window .