power window motor

The left rear window on my 2000 Malibu doesn't work. I am going to try to replace the motor myself since the dealer wants around $500 to do it.
I could use some advise on removing the rear door panel and removing and replacing the motor. Any help would be greatly appreciated.:confused:

Got to be very careful not to break the glass. I install auto glass for a living. Buy the motor from the dealer and take it to a local auto glass co and have them install it. Should be around 55-85 dollars.

Originally posted by stealthbmbr
Got to be very careful not to break the glass. I install auto glass for a living. Buy the motor from the dealer and take it to a local auto glass co and have them install it. Should be around 55-85 dollars.

How much do you think a dealer charges in labor to install a window motor? Lets guess 55-85 dollars! Most if not all service places that perform work on cars use a flatrate book to figure out the charge on a job. And most places use the same books so the labor time is never off from place to place!

My point was that the dealer marks up the part(list price or more) and installs it for X amount of dollars per hour according to their book. Probably calls for 2-2.5 hours.

Buy the part and get the discount(10 or 20% off of list), take it to a glass co and have them install it for a flat fee of 55-85 dollars.

More like 1 to 1.5 hours and the part should be no different over the counter or through the service department. If you want to go aftermarket than thats a different story and your welcome to chose where to get it fixed,

Originally posted by stealthbmbr
My point was that the dealer marks up the part(list price or more) and installs it for X amount of dollars per hour according to their book. Probably calls for 2-2.5 hours.

Buy the part and get the discount(10 or 20% off of list), take it to a glass co and have them install it for a flat fee of 55-85 dollars.


Dealers do not mark up the prices above list! Wherever you got your info is wrong! Dealers have 3 prices cost, trade and list no other price to be had! I have fixed many cars and trucks after some of these so called other places. I have even seen the bills from them sometimes they are 3 times higher due to not know what they are doing and breaking things or mis-diagnosising things. I have had customers complaining to me that I charged them to fix something after they spent hundreds of dollars trying to get fixed and they have enough nerve to whine because I ask them to pay less than 100 dollars!!

Originally posted by Flatrater



Dealers do not mark up the prices above list! Wherever you got your info is wrong! Dealers have 3 prices cost, trade and list no other price to be had!

Then you need to call Fox Chevy on Security Blvd in Baltimore (410-265-7777). They mark up the list 20% then give you a discount and charge you full list. It only took me a couple times to realize this and never give them my business again. Only problem is everyone in the area pulls parts from them or Lustine chevy.

Originally posted by ellis_hugh:

"...I could use some advise on removing the rear door panel and removing and replacing the motor. Any help would be greatly appreciated."

-------

All of the responses, besides the first, were pretty much arguments about dealers' pricing habits.
Does anybody have an answer to the original question??? I have a similar malfunctioning power window problem on my '99 Malibu and any advise on removing the driver door panel would be great! I'll be careful enough not to break the glass....

First remove the cup that the door handle sits in. Next remove the armrest. Then carefuly pop the door panel loose from the door " it has clips all the way around it " after doing that I secured the window track so it wouldn't allow the window to move using a small pair of vicegrips. unbolt the motor assembly " I believe it has three bolts in it " more than likley the cable system came apart. I called a salvage yard and bought one for $75.00. It only takes about an hour to replace it. I hope this helps, I know it beats shelling out $500 to the dealer!

The last one I changed was riveted in with 1/4" pop rivets. I used bolts and nuts to install the new one, but use locking nuts I had one come loose and the motor clunked as it wnet up and down.

You may have a bad switch. My 2001 had the left rear switch come apart and that made it so I could not roll the window up or down.