Power window regulator problems

NC-Lesabre · #1 08-28-2004, 08:46 PM

Wow, this week has been fun with the Lesabre.

I already knew that there was a problem with the left rear window. It had a grinding sound that reminded me of my '95 Caprice when a little plastic thing on the window track broke. Anyway it was easy to ignore the problem. We just kept the window up. On Monday wife.com called from work to report that the driver's window wouldn't come up. I asked her to try to coax it up a little at a time which is what you can usually do if the window motor is shot. The window wouldn't go up so luckily it didn't rain and when she got it home I was able to lift up on the window while powering it up at the same time.

I started with the rear as I thought that it would be easier to get the door panel off with only the power window switch to deal with. The door panel proved to be a challenge as it seems that every year GM changes the door panel mounts. After pulling out the little reflector and removing the only screw used on the panel and popping the panel out from the little snap clips around the edge of the panel I noticed that it was still being held from the center and the top of the window sill. At the top of the panel there is a hook channel that you can lift straight up however it was still being held in the center. At the center of the door panel where it is fastened to the door there are 2 clips that hold the panel. You can remove the panel by lifting straight up being careful not to bend the metal bracket on the panel. After removing the panel you will see how this is configured.

The thin cable which I believe is a part of the regulator looked all beat up and perhaps had gotten twisted about the recoil pulley. I have no idea how it happened. Luckily the local Buick dealer had the regulator assembly in stock which lists for ~$280. Ouch! I was given a discount but it still hurt. My window man did the install. I held the window up and he did the remove and replace in about 10 minutes.

The next day I tackled the front window. The old regulator had the same problem with the cable as the rear did. It was a repeat performance.

Has anyone else had these issues with their Lesabres? Should I be bracing myself for the right side regulators to go TU? Is there a more reasonable fix or any preventive maintenance that can prevent the problem.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Regards..............Jim
Chapel Hill, NC

lookn2it · #2 08-28-2004, 10:41 PM

I had to replace the right-rear regulator on my 2001 LeSabre to the tune of $500 at the local Buick dealer on a long weekend trip to West Texas in June.

That window was rarely used. It was actually the first time I remember ever having seen the rear window rolled down. We had relatives riding in the back seat that we had just picked up from the airport. One of them rolled the window down to let out the hot air after we got back in the car after eating lunch and it wouldn't go back up.

Chuck

sallisonbrown · #3 08-29-2004, 08:56 PM

My 2000 LeSabre lost all four indow controllers within 6 months. The dealer replaced the first ones (luckly), fronts, but I had to pay for the rear ones when they went about three weeks apart with no big amount of usage. I live in Phoenix and attributed the high summer heat as the cause but others in this forum have complained as well. Guess it must have been a bad design !!!

lookn2it · #4 09-13-2004, 12:50 AM

I can hardly believe it, but the rear window regulator on the driver's side broke this weekend. This is only a couple of months after the rear regulator on the passenger's side broke.

One of my passengers rolled down the window while we where waiting on someone. I was surprised they did this as they had been present when the original regulator broke by rolling the other rear window down (I had the air conditioner running, so there was really no need to roll the window down). I still had the duct tape I used to hold the first window up in the trunk, so that is how the window is staying up now.

The car is only three years old and otherwise is great shape but is no longer in warranty. I really believe these regulators must me some sort of factory defect when they go bad that quickly on windows that are very rarely used.

Seems like there should be a recall on these when they break so easily and cost big bucks to repair.

-Chuck

sallisonbrown · #5 09-13-2004, 03:11 AM

Can't say I didn't warn you!

There must have been some sort of "soft" recall because I didn't get a lot of resistence when I pushed the dealer to replace the front's even though my car had over 50,000 mi. I was not able to convince them to do the rear's when they went shortly after though.

Absolutely there must have been a defect somewhere!

NC-Lesabre · #6 09-13-2004, 08:23 AM

Thanks for the info.

Wish I had heard about the "soft" recall a few weeks ago. I will push for it if (when) another one goes, since my 2000 only has 35k on it.

The fact that a local dealer had the replacements in stock should have suggested that it's a hot item.

In each case that my regulators failed I was able to push the window with my hand while powering up the window switch.

Chuck, let us know you do with the dealer. If you purchased the car from the same dealer you might have better leverage. The part (regulator and motor) costs the dealer in the $150 range and the labor for someone who knows how to remove the door panel should only take an hour but the flat rate is probably higher.

Good luck,

Jim

lookn2it · #7 09-19-2004, 11:27 AM

Hi, guys,

I tried 3 times to call the dealer last Thursday. No one in the service department ever answered the phone or called me back even though I left my number to call. Can't imagine that from a major dealer in this area. I bought the car used on eBay about a year ago, so had no clout with my local dealer anyway.

I was going to ask them if there had been any recalls for the regulators since I just replaced another one 3 months before. I then figured I wouldn't get anywhere with them if they don't even answer their phone and so, called a local repair shop I use for my other vehicles. They had replaced regulators on my other 2 vehicles. They estimated about $100 less than what the previous dealer had charged. I took it in on Friday morning and ended up saving about $80 by having them do it.

I was originally going to just drive it around for a while with duct tape holding up the window. However, in the Texas heat and humidity, the tape just wouldn't hold. I would walk out to my car and the window would be all the way down...not good, especially if a stray thunderstorm shows up.

Guess I'll be waiting for the front windows to go out next.

Chuck

Flatrater · #8 09-19-2004, 06:31 PM

Window regulators or motors are not a safety item so there will never be a recall on them. The best you could hope for is a warranty extension by GM but I can tell YOU THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.

No this soft recall issue that was spoken of doesn't exist. What happened every dealership has an empowerment. This empowerment is something the dealer uses to retain customers and gain new customers. The dealer has the ability to extend your new car warranty up to 5 years or 50K miles. The rule to use this empowerment is simple. One you need to buy your car brand new from the dealer and two you need to be a good service customer of the dealership. This empowerment is a reward for your loyalty to GM and the dealership.

Now GM has another hidden warranty extension this one goes to 10 years and 100K miles but you need to get two groups on board for this to work. What you have to do is call GM custmoer assissstance have them agree to the warranty then the dealership service manager needs to also ok then it will be fixed under warranty.

Also any warranty repair after the base warranty is expired make include a cutomer paid charge. This charge can be up to 50% of the bill.

Jed Rule · #9 09-20-2004, 09:12 PM

WHAT! GM has secret warantees. I"M SHOCKED.

You beter hope none of their lawyers are reading this forum.

sallisonbrown · #10 09-21-2004, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flatrater

Window regulators or motors are not a safety item so there will never be a recall on them. The best you could hope for is a warranty extension by GM but I can tell YOU THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.

No this soft recall issue that was spoken of doesn't exist. What happened every dealership has an empowerment. This empowerment is something the dealer uses to retain customers and gain new customers. The dealer has the ability to extend your new car warranty up to 5 years or 50K miles. The rule to use this empowerment is simple. One you need to buy your car brand new from the dealer and two you need to be a good service customer of the dealership. This empowerment is a reward for your loyalty to GM and the dealership.

Now GM has another hidden warranty extension this one goes to 10 years and 100K miles but you need to get two groups on board for this to work. What you have to do is call GM custmoer assissstance have them agree to the warranty then the dealership service manager needs to also ok then it will be fixed under warranty.

Also any warranty repair after the base warranty is expired make include a cutomer paid charge. This charge can be up to 50% of the bill.

Guess I got a good one! I bought my 2000 LeSabre USED, from a different dealer and took it into the dealer that fixed the front's for a first time ever visit. Of course the dealer was a joint Buick AND Cadillac Dealer so they may have been looking for a future customer upgrade.

For the record, the ones that I bought for the rear and installed them myself cost $182.00 each (List $294.78)

Keep up the good work!
Steve

bmullins · #11 09-23-2004, 04:08 PM

Glad I found this site! I have a 2000 LeSabre and my rear regulators went out within 1 month of each other last year. When the dealer told me it would be between 700 and 800 dollars to repair, I thought I would croak! I ended up having them done at an autoglass shop for a little less. Within 2 weeks of having the repair, my front passenger regulator went out. Since the window is up, I haven't shelled out the $$ yet for it.

sallisonbrown · #12 09-23-2004, 05:02 PM

Hi Mr. Mullins,
Welcome to the Forum. Get ready to replace the last one soon! I drove around with Duct Tape on the first rear one to go just waiting for the other one and didn't have to wait very long. As mentioned earlier, I didn't know if the Phoenix heat had anything to do with it or not, but others in the mid-west seem to be having trouble also. Maybe your S.C. temperature will be easier on them.

Good luck, there doesn't seem to be any way to avoid it.
Steve

NullReference · #13 11-13-2004, 10:43 AM

I feel pretty lucky then. I found the part on eBay for $99 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=7932943596). The store was http://www.1aauto.com/.

NC-Lesabre · #14 11-13-2004, 08:37 PM

Thanks for the tip.

Too bad they only sell them for the left rear at I great price.

At this point I am more worried about the right side windows since I've already replaced the left side.

NullReference · #15 11-13-2004, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC-Lesabre

Thanks for the tip.

Too bad they only sell them for the left rear at I great price.

At this point I am more worried about the right side windows since I've already replaced the left side.

Someone from the store called me this morning and asked if I really wanted two for the same side. I ended up cancelling one of the two units that I ordered, but he told me it is a common part for them and he was suprised they can only get the one side right now. I'll let you know how well it works on the right rear, because that's where it's going on mine. I figure that I'll be able to fix my original unit by using the cable off this new one, we'll see.

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