98 Honda Civic window problem

[JGrizz]

I just recently purchased a 98 Honda Civic hatchback and I have noticed that on the passenger and a little bit on the driver side window there is this stick fabric type stuff all over the inside of the window, I have cleaned and numerous times and it's just getting worse. I have attached a couple of pictures to give you guys and better perspective of what it is. Was wondering if there is anything I myself can do. I am not a car person as I am just starting to get into them. Also if I have to where could I take it to get looked at?

[CivicSpoon]

I don't see any pics posted. I'm guessing it's some kind of weather stripping that has degraded. You could take off your door panel and have a look, it's a fairly easy job.

First you need to deal with the door handle and pocket. They will be different from a manual window/door lock and power windows/door locks.



Remove the screw from the Inner Handle Trim and the Armrest Pocket.

For the manual window pocket, it should just be that screw, and then the pocket pull straight up and out. For the power window, it appears that you might be able to lift the back end up (pocket end), and then slide it back and then up, followed by detaching the plug from the switch. I've never dealt with a power window Civic before, so I'm not positive on there, you might be able to just take the screw out and leave the pocket attached to the door until the panel is free from the door.

For the door handle, it can be a little tricky (not hard just tricky). You will take the screw out, but leave it alone until the fasteners are detached from the door. I'll get to the rest in a minute.



You don't necessarily need the tool in #5, but it helps. I usually just get the tips of my finger under the bottom corner of the panel, and pull on it until the fasteners detach. That's not the right way to do it, because you can sometimes break the plastic fasteners, or even the plastic back of the panel that the fasteners slide into. Then you just pull the bottom away from the door a little, and lift the top straight up (the top just sits into a little lip in the door). Then hold the panel close to the door while you disconnect the speaker wires, and any other plugs connected to it (especially if you have power windows/door locks).

Now you'll have to deal with the door handle. Take notice of the notch that the handle slides through. Pull the handle, as if you're opening the door, and hold it open. You'll then need to rotate the entire panel until the notch on the Inner Handle Trim lines up with the shape of the door handle. Just keep turning the panel until it can slide though.

After that, check out the inside of the door. You might have to pull away some plastic sheeting to get a good view. You also might want to have the window down all the say, or half way, it could give you a better idea of where all the gunk is coming from. You should only do one side of the car at a time, if the issue occurs on both sides. If one window or door lock plug is disconnected, the other might not work either. You could always just temporarily connect the plugs, while not completely reattaching the panel though. Hope this helps.