drivers side window problem

[dokker]

97 monte carlo z34

My drivers side window is rolling up and down very hard. I need to assist
it by hand. Is it off track? Could I fix myself? I like doing my own auto work so any advise would be truly appreciated.

[keildl]

I sometimes have the same problem on mine, though it is mostly the driver side. Seems like it gets out of track and won't go up. I have seemed to notice it more on cold days than warmer ones. Seems that the track that the window runs inside of shrinks with the cold and becomes somewhat stiff and unplyable, making it difficult for the window to go up and down. I think this resistance is contributing to the problem. Also when it gets extremely cold the windows stick and when I try to put them down they are stuck up as the motor is trying to pull them down. When they finally break loose and roll down it seems that they get off track. Also when it is colder they go up and down a lot slower than when it is warm. Also, someone tried to break in a couple years ago through passenger side window by bending the molding strips around the window to activate my automatic locks by touching them with a coat hanger. That has also contributed to problems with the passenger window going up and down, especially the colder it gets.

[CEO Wrench]

Originally Posted by dokker

97 monte carlo z34

My drivers side window is rolling up and down very hard. I need to assist
it by hand. Is it off track? Could I fix myself? I like doing my own auto work so any advise would be truly appreciated.

Try getting a tube of silicone grease, like what is used on electrical contacts. Squeeze some on your finger and apply it to the window guide track, especially where the edge of the window contacts it. This may help eliminate where wear and tear produces a sticky spot that the glass is sticking to.
If this doesn't help, you may have to remove the door trim pad and look to see if any of the mechanism is bent from the resistance - this can happen if the wondow is forced down or if the glass got stuck and the window motor forced it.
Good luck!

[CEO Wrench]

Originally Posted by dokker

97 monte carlo z34

My drivers side window is rolling up and down very hard. I need to assist
it by hand. Is it off track? Could I fix myself? I like doing my own auto work so any advise would be truly appreciated.

Try getting a tube of silicone grease (like what is used on electrical connections), squeeze some on your finger and work it into the track front and back. Run the window up and down a few times to distribute the grease.
If this doesn't work, you may have to remove the door trim panel and check the mechanism to see if any of it is bent. Bending can come from forcing the window down or the window getting stuck and the motor forcing it up.

[dokker]

thanks for the advise, I will try this and tell you if it works..

[dokker]

well I tried the silicone grease but nothing changed. the motor tries to move the window, it will move up or down around a 1/4 to 1/2 inch then stop. Could it be a weak motor or bad switch?

[Rally Sport]

Sorry dude but bad motor.. if it stops like at any point and then you wait and push the button again and it keeps moving in the direction you want it to then yeah you got a bad motor.

Hope you have a good site to help you how to do it because man.. I had to change mine in my 92 Camaro and that was a bitch!

Goodluck!

[jw67]

Yep bad motor. it can be a bitch but take your time and you will be fine

[dokker]

thanx guys, looks like its time for surgury, hope its in the haynes manual I ordered.

[dokker]

would you suggest aftermarket?

[jw67]

no not for a windown motor. and also you should take the motor out be for you order a new one. The motor and the Window Regulator may be one pice. you can get just a motor but trust me...i work on cars for a liveing and it is a BITCH you replace just a motor cause you have to spool the cable for the Regulator on to the new motor...not fun. if you get it as one pice...after you get the door panel off one plug 5 bolts for the regulator...2 bolts to hold the windown on and out it comes

[dokker]

thanks for the advise, ill look for the set.

[CEO Wrench]

Originally Posted by dokker

thanks for the advise, ill look for the set.

You can also look for a used on on www.car-part.com. I've done this for several cars with good results and much cheaper than new.

[Xaphan]

Originally Posted by dokker

97 monte carlo z34

My drivers side window is rolling up and down very hard. I need to assist
it by hand. Is it off track? Could I fix myself? I like doing my own auto work so any advise would be truly appreciated.

I had the same problem with my 96. Before you buy a new motor, remove the trim panel from the door and check to see if the glass has come out of the guide track. If it has, the window will only move a half inch or so. Getting the glass back in the guide is a bitch, but some !!!delicate!!! maneuvering with a screwdriver will do the trick. After that, do the silicone lube trick.

[dokker]

thanx for the advise, havn't bought motor yet, no rush when it's 30 degrees out. maybe tommorrow i'll give it a shot. I'll let you know what I find.