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  • Window motor woes

    So my window motor starts screwing up. doesn't go down all the way on a single push, takes 19 tries to get it back up with a 5 minute wait between tries. totally sucks.

    I hate having the window rolled up when i drive, plus since i have a convertible i think it looks stupid to have your windows up with the top down.

    So, i call GM to find out the cost of replacing both window motors. Passenger side isn't gone but i figure 2 birds with 1 stone. GM tells me it will cost 650 bucks to do both windows and replace the motors. I laugh and figure yeah right. My friend works as a mechanic at chrysler so i get a discount at Lordco auto parts store. I tell him to grab me a window motor since he was already getting me a K&N air filter.

    when i go to pick them up i ask how much Chrysler would charge to do the job. He takes me in and they say it will be 120 bucks. I say hell yeah, lets do it and make an appointment for 2 days later. the motor costs 55 bucks and 120 for the labour so... 300 bucks to do both.

    last wednesday night i broke up with my long time girlfriend and was a bit depressed. I barely slept that night and had to work at noon. my appointment was for thursday morning at 8am. I was up at 3 in the morning and couldn't go back to sleep. I finally head down to Chrysler and get my car in at 8.

    2 hours later I am called into the shop by my friend and he tells me that the crap for brains working on my car can't figure out how to install the motor. I am like "what?" 2 hours to find out he can't do it. My friend is working on another vehicle and can't do it. so I show him the guide. he asks the guy working on my car if he can follow instructions. I tell him just drill out 3 holes and drill the rivets. He actually says he isn't that good at drilling. I couldn't believe it. I say whatever i guess i will just take it into GM.

    I drove to work and decided screw it, I am just going to do it myself. I got out in the driveway today, took out the old motor, put in the new one, and put everything back together. It seriously took me 45 minutes to do it. When i do the passenger side should only take me 20-30 since now i know what i am doing. I have never done this before but damn it was easy. I even used a 3/8 inch drill bit for the holes because i didn't have a half inch like the guide asked for.

    I am happy to be a supporting member here. 10 bucks saved me 650. What could be better. And yes I know that guide isn't posted on here but i wouldn't have found the link to it if i wasn't here.
    sigpic

  • #2
    Re: Window motor woes

    good job....you will learn pretty soon to never take your car to a shop. and do it all yourself.

    only time my cars are at the shop is to get the yearly emissions and inspection done.
    WAWA-A-HOLIC

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    • #3
      Re: Window motor woes

      Yeah, its crazy that GM thinks they can charge that much. I can get the motors for $32. That saves me ~$300... or approximately 1 tank of gas, haha.
      2002 SOM Camaro- Sold
      2006 S60- Sold
      2000 Cherokee- The desert whip

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      • #4
        Re: Window motor woes

        yeah it's crazy what they want to charge for some of that stuff, to change the headlight motor on a firebird is like $200 something for labor, I can do mine in 30 minutes (that includes getting the tools and finding a bucket to sit on :) )

        Oah by the way if anyone out there is familiar with 94 -04 power window motors on mustangs shoot me a PM, I have been trying to diagnose a problem with the window getting stuck in the UP position and the mustang forum has been of no help (wife's car, yes I hate it but it came with her and now it's paid for).

        I love this site too :D
        -Brad
        98 Firebird - gone from mod mode to keep it running and useable mode.
        2000 V-Star Custom 1100
        If all else fails use a bigger hammer!
        :rock:

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        • #5
          Re: Window motor woes

          I plan on doing my passenger side for my Labor Day project. Gotta get it done before Gustavs rains get to us. Is there anything Important I should no about? Any springs or anything that I might lose a finger on? Where is this guide you spoke of? Cant seem to find it here on the forums.
          Any help would be greatly appreciated.
          Btw it's a '99 Bird

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          • #6
            Re: Window motor woes

            Everything in the world is easy if you get step by step instructions and you have the tools.


            I don't think the quote was unreasonable. I assume GM uses a different way. REmember that guide was made from an engineers who have worked with these cars beyond GM while they were out. Hell there is another guide to cut open a window motor and repair/fix for good the issue so the motor won't die out and actually makes it roll up and down faster.


            Agreed though its pretty easy. I downloaded the pictures from the guide into m digital camara and did mine in 30-40 min in a parking garage at night off the little viewfinder screen on the back of my camara.

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            • #7
              Re: Window motor woes

              http://shbox.com/page/windowmotor.html
              sigpic
              1997 Camaro RS A4
              2006 Chevy Colorado
              2003 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6-R

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              • #8
                Re: Window motor woes

                Ok guys.....this sucks! Im a dude who can replace engines, transmissions, front and rear ends, I own a cherry picker and have a garage most mechanics would drool over.
                This effn window motor has me pisd. I followed all your instructions and the old one came out easy. Now with the new one in I have troubles. She rolls down fast about 2 inches and thats it. She goes up fast. The motor is not "trippin" as its brand new and I have new switches. What the heck have I done wrong? Is the motor gear possibly tripping off the motor? Does the cog have to be absolutely lined up? It looks lined up gear to cog perfectly. Im stumped and now its dark in Nashville.

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                • #9
                  Re: Window motor woes

                  when you get power back I would suggest pulling the motor back out then raise and lower the glass by hand, see if something is binding. If it goes up and down smoothly by hand then reinstall the motor and try again. Grease everything thoroughly. Also check to make sure the channel is still attached to the rollers, mine separated not long after I bought the car and had to have a new channel put on.
                  Honestly it sounds like something is catching and causing the motor to "trip" the breaker.
                  If it moves quickly the motor is likely fine but something is catching. Go back and check to make sure all of the rollers are in their channels.
                  -Brad
                  98 Firebird - gone from mod mode to keep it running and useable mode.
                  2000 V-Star Custom 1100
                  If all else fails use a bigger hammer!
                  :rock:

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Window motor woes

                    I appreciate all your replies. The motor is lined up with the cog. I can fit my head in the door and it all looks good. Fellas, it moves fast then stops. I cannot find anything that would stop it from moving. Totally confused here. Its a lubed and when the motor is out you can move the window with ease. What the heck is the problem. I checked the motor before I put it in and it ran like a scared deer. WTF?

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                    • #11
                      Re: Window motor woes

                      I replaced my driver's side motor. It has worked fine from the first try.

                      I suggest you go buy a second replacement motor from a place like Advance Auto Parts and try it out. If the second one works, leave it in and return the first one to where you bought it. If the second one does not work either, return it to the place where you bought that second one (and put #1 back in and further diagnose the problem).
                      I solemnly swear I am up to no good.

                      2008 Saturn Sky Red Line - Midnight Blue

                      Pewter Mafia - 2000 Firebird - SOLD
                      CENTRAL FLORIDA KNIGHTS!!!!!!!
                      FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES !!!!!!!

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