power window motor

[ellis_hugh]

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.

[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.

[Flatrater]

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!

[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.

[bowtiebandit]

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,

[Flatrater]

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!!

[stealthbmbr]

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.

[confused02]

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."

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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....

[Extreme28]

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!

[goofy4467]

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.

[speed_racer5150]

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.