rear window stuck up, how to roll it down

I just bought a 68 polara wagon. The rear glass rolls down with an electric motor, but the switch on the dash doesn't work and I dont have the key for the tailgate, or any keys for that matter. The tailgate won't open with the glass rolled up. How do I get this window down so I can open the tailgate? I need to get the lock cylinder out to get a key made, but I'm kind of stuck. Is the tailgate key the same as the door key on a wagon?
Any help would be much appreciated.

 

Not trying to pick on just you, but seems like new members are not reading the information about first writing an introduction in the WELCOME WAGON. At least you sort of started telling us about yourself before you wandered off about needing parts.
I am only a member here but feel everyone should introduce themselves, telling about their wagons, other cars, and themselves, then go to another topic to ask about parts and problems.
I just signed in and already the first two new members started out asking about repairs or parts. You guys have the rest of your lives to ask questions and hopefully get some good advice.
Thank you. I will step down off my soap box now.

 

Woops, sorry guys. The introduction was the very second post I made. I'll go elaborate a little more on my introduction post and give you guys some more info. I was just really excited when I found a site all about wagons. No one around here has even seen a Polara station wagon, so the chances of getting help locally would be slim to none.

 

On my 74 Satellite the rear window switch didn't work when I got it either, then I found out it had a blown fuse and the door lock must be in the unlocked position for the front switch to work. Took a minute to figure that one out.

 

I can't find a lock anywhere on the door yet the inside latch doesn't seem to be opening the door, almost like it is locked. I got a key made and it fits, but the window still won't roll down using the key. It will go left and right, but I don't hear any lock mechanism moving, it just feels like it's pressing a switch to work the window. The window doesn't even try. Is there a manual crank somewhere to get this thing down? I checked all the fuses on the fuse block. Does the window have it's own fuse somewhere else?
Thanks again for any help.

 

My 74 has no manual means to get the window down, the fuse for my rear switch was off to side of my fuse block kind of on its own, mounted vertical rather than horizontal like the other fuses. Don't know if any of this applies to your 68 for sure.

 

This is a long shot, but one we used often with power windows.
1. Locate exactly where the window motor is located.
2. Engage the key since you say it seems to be hitting the down switch.
3. Simultaneously, have someone hit the motor area repeatably with the butt of his fist.
4. Depending on the dentability of the door, try the same thing with a rubber mallet from the inside.

This will often jar a bad motor enough to get the brushes to make contact and lower the window.

PS...this works with in-tank electric fuel pumps too.

Otherwise become proficient with a test light and trace from front to back.

 

We had a similar problem with the tailgate window in the 67 Malibu wagon. The switch under the dash didn't work. The glass was all broken out. We had a key made, and removed the inside panel, exposing the motor. Hooked a battery to the leads on the motor, and used the key to make the track go down. Then we could open the tailgate. Maybe that will work for you?

 

If the switch has power to it, you can still jumper the connections to bypass it.

Again, one has to learn how to use a test light before destroying half the car to find the problem.

 

,I have a 1970 Ford LTD Country Squire, and had the same problem with my tail gate, I used a wire coat hanger, make a 1/2 loop on one end, then from the inside of wagon, slide the coat hanger down between the window & rubber strip( be careful, not to rip the rubber seal, or scratch the window ), then slid it down till you feel a rod going from the lock to the center of tail gate, pull UP, the door should click open, hope this helps

 

So I got the wimdow down by tapping the center of the tail gate while pulling down with my hand. It was really hard to get down. Then, I couldn't get it back up. I had to end up taking out the center lock and disconnect the motor from the gear mechanism, and put it up manually. I need to figure out why the motor turns freely, but won't turn the gear mechanism, even when power is applied directly from the battery.

 

There is a little rubber piece that goes between the motor and regulator. It is about an inch long and is shaped like a cylinder. It has metal ends molded into it and attaches to the shaft on the motor. These break all the time. If the motor turns and the regulator doesn't move this is your problem.

 

I was spinning that little rubber piece to make the window go back up. The motor will turn freely by hand. When you apply power to the motor, the wires get real hot real fast and the motor doesn't spin. I'm guessing the motor is bad. Any idea where to get one of these?

 

Here's the latest, I put everything back together, and the motor works. But only in one direction. The switch on the dash and the switch at the key give the same result, it will go down, but not up. If I make jumper wires and switch the polarity at the motor, then the window will go down. So only one side of both switches is working. Any ideas?

 

Hi, I have a similar wagon, a '66 Chrysler.
Maybe you have to oil all the turning parts, and look if the spring that helps the motor to move the window up is ok.
If you pull the window up and move the switch, does it go up?
I hope you will find the problem soon.