Power Window Problem - Help?

The passenger side window has been been hitting a spot for over a year now where it slows almost to a stop, about half way up, and then seems to catch and go fully closed. Last weekend it got to that spot and would not go any higher. Finally got it all the way up by lifting and hitting the up/down switch a couple of dozen times.

I took the door panel off today and everything seems mechanically OK, IE cables clean and in the rollers etc... I still cleaned and lubricated the rollers and the cables but the window still hangs up and won't go fully up or down unassisted. The motor got pretty warm after trying to roll the window up/down several times.

Anyway - question is: Should I try to just replace just the motor? I checked on line and Autozone and Advanced Auto and both carry only the motor/regulator. I have searched the web and find the whole window assembly, cables, motor, regulator, rails, etc.. all as one unit. These people say this is the way it comes and you should not try to replace just the motor.

Anyone else fooled with the power windows and have advise about this??

Thanks,

MC

WOW, 19 looks and no takers, LOL

FYI, Since the above post I have learned that the motor, regulator, cables etc... are all one unit. No one sells just the motor. I can't find the part locally so I will have to order one on-line.

MC

Not totally sure of your problem but sounds like the cable is binding. I have replaced both power window mechanisims in my 99 Silverado. It is easy to do and when I did mine the only place to buy them was from Chevy. I since been told there are after market ones available. The problem is in the cables, like mine, the cables become dislodged from the pullyes and then bind and eventually just fly apart. You will here a twang sound when it lets go. Your best bet is to change them out before it gets stuck down when its raining.

Good Luck
Labatt

I ordered the regulator/motor/cables assembly from 1A Auto. Web site says its is a OEM GM part and I paid $108 including shipping.

The pulleys and cable on the bottom of the assembly seem OK but the top two can't be seen until I remove the mechanism. It does make a grinding noise when worked up and down so Its a matter of time till the cables snap I'm sure.

Thanks for the help.

MC

I have to replace both of mine this weekend. I have already ordered the regulators/motors and they should be here today. Are there any good instructions on how to replace them? I already know how to take off the panels (this is when I found the broken cables). On another thread it mentioned not to attempt changing these yourself b/c the cables are under tension? Any comment?

I replaced the unit on the driver side but found the passenger side motor mounting bolts loose and this was allowing the motor to get in a bind. I straightened the motor, tightened the bolts and the unit works as good as new. Just a thought.

Marinejag - I'll tell you exactly what I did and it took less than 25 minutes including removing and reinstalling the door panel. The cables are not under tension so don't worry about that. I advise using blue painters tape to hold the window up while removing the mechanisms.

There are 6 bolts that hold the window mechanism and two that hold the window in the cradles. Lower the window and loosen, don't remove, the bolts that hold the glass then put the glass in the full closed position.

Now remove the bolts that hold the window mechanism in place. Once the bolts are out you can fold the rails in toward each other and slide them out through the opening in the door. Do the reverse to install the new mechanism.

You will be surprised at how easy it is to replace these things. Good Luck

MC

Thanks MC! I did the work last weekend however, it was just as you posted. It took me 2 hours to do both windows... but that was really taking my time... beer in hand, music playing... :cheers:

I used masking tape as you suggested (I didn't have the blue so I used normal 2" masking tape... 4 pieces each window).

I did remove the two bolts holding the glass. I removed these completely and then had to lightly pry (loosen) where the regulator holds the glass. These two areas had bonded (for lack of a better word) to the glass over time. An important note to readers, however, is that these are NOT glued to the glass like some older model cars. The regulator came with new bolts for the cradles, but you must reuse the six bolts that hold the regulator in place.

Easy work! Although I do my own brakes and oil changes, I'm not a full time mechanic. I would recommend anyone do this as opposed to taking their car to the STEALERSHIP. The cost of both regulators w/new motors was roughly $200 from A1 Auto. The stealership wanted $400 to repair a single window!

Savings: $600 and the piece of mind knowing I can do it myself and it is done correctly.

Next project... change out the fuel sensor in the gas tank so my gas gage will stop jumping around

Thanks again for the help.

William :smooch:

From reading in forums,(I'm a newbie), I'm assuming you can't just replace motor(?). My driver's side window quit working yesterday. I thought it may be switch but I'm getting 11.9 volts to motor and it's just clicking. Any input? Thanks
Al

Alamator,

Here is my two cents worth after having replaced both my regulators and motors. :2cents: Motors don't just burn out for no reason. After I replaced both the motors and regulators on my truck, I took a good look at the system to find out why the windows were not working / slowing down (one had stopped working and the other would almost stop on the way back up).

As it turns out, the one that had stopped all together had a broken cable. Both regulators had the same problem, however, that being the plastic wheel which winds up the cables was extremely dirty. :disappoin My guess is that dust and dirt slip down through the window over time and get stuck on the cables... eventually winding the dirt into the plastic wheel. This dirt makes the window hard to operate, slows down or keeps the window from moving. The motor that was operating the window that still worked got very, very hot when operating the window. Therefore, my theory is that a burned out motor is due to a faulty (dirty) regulator.

It is possible to replace only the motor (as per a post on either the Sierra or Silverado pages). However, my two cents is your only prolonging the inevitable. :2cents:

Easiest solution. Spend the two hundred dollars and replace both the motors and regulators... you'll be glad you did. You'll save a total of six hundred dollars over taking it to the stealership... and you'll have the satisfaction of having fixed it yourself (which will impress your wife). :smile:

Let my know if you have any questions!

William

Alamator, I agree completely with MarineJAG. The dirty/dry regulator puts a strain on the motor and causes it to overheat and destroy itself. My old motor would get red hot. The new motor barely gets warm after a half dozen quick up and downs.

I highly recommend, as does GM, replacing the whole mechanism. Its quick, easy , and done right.

MC

Thanks guys! I was asking because my window seemed to be working just fine and it was a quick and complete failure. I'll order my motor/regulator assembly today. Also, since I have it apart, my power mirror controller has been acting up for a while now and I'm going to replace it too, but I can't find one anywhere but GM,($54). Do you know of any others out there?
Thanks again
Al

Installed motor/regulator yesterday and purchased mirror controller from local GM dealer for $55. Job was fairly simple and easy.

Great to hear it was a successful job! It's always a great feeling to have fixed something yourself and saved a little money... not to mention the feeling of knowing it is done correctly.

Alamator, good to hear all went well.

MC

Hey, i've seen you guys buying parts from A1 Auto, just wondering if you guys have a link for them? thanks!

Thanks MarineJag and Mc. Seems I always have a knack to break something when taking a door apart. I've always been spooked doing any type of job on them. All has been working well.
Here's the address for 1A Auto XMalibu. http://www.1aauto.com.
Had a quick delivery and appears to be a good product. Good luck.
Al