power window grinding sounds?

[unvmyrs]

ok, it worked absolutely FLAWLESSLY last night, and out of nowhere, my driver side window won't roll down, when I hit the button all it does is makes a grinding sound and doesnt move the window. Ive pulled the door panel off and there is nothing out of the ordinary except that I can tell this window motor has been replaced before, but what could it be? Window motor? Anyone else have this problem? it is getting power... I dunno...need help asap.

[Andy H]

Re: power window grinding sounds?

Maybe the teeth are stripped off of the window motor gear or maybe the bolts that holds the motor on are loose and the gear has backed off of the regulator. Does it sound like gears grinding?

edit: well I would think if the gear was broken then the window would just fall down or you could easily push it down.

[Archer]

Re: power window grinding sounds?

its going to be the motor. motor could be bad, but first, check the mounting points. see if they are loose and the motor wheel isnt engaging the lift. thats where the noise would be coming from. that would be my first choice.

[unvmyrs]

Re: power window grinding sounds?

it sounds like a... well, the best way to describe the grinding sound is if your cell phone is on vibrate and it it sitting on a table and rings, it sounds like that, or a blender. i couldn't see anything loose. usually i hear of weakened power window motors, but nothing like this...?

[Archer]

Re: power window grinding sounds?

the motor is off track. had the same sound on my old maro.

[unvmyrs]

Re: power window grinding sounds?

how do i fix it archer? Damn, is it easy ? I wish I had someone here that would know how to help me.

[Archer]

Re: power window grinding sounds?

yeah its simple... do a quick search on window motor repair and it will give ya the how to.

but if its been replaced, just tinker around with the motor to see if its loose. Its a fiberglass door, and the window takes a toll on it especially with the motor being replaced already. you should see 4 holes that have been drilled to install the motor. in those holes will be bolts and nuts. if the gears are off, then your most likely missing some nuts if not bolts. I went to a hardware store and got rivets. the damn motor never moved again. lol its dark out now, but I can take some photos of my door with the motor in tomorrow. once you get into it, you'll see what Im talking about. but looks for that link on how to fix window motor.. its really DETAILED. but yeah its a easy fix

[unvmyrs]

Re: power window grinding sounds?

well mine still has rivets in it, as if they put rivets in it again, instead of bolts. But it does have other evidence that its been tampered with. ie: broken rivets floating around inside the door, etc. but this whole thing is just so confusing

[unvmyrs]

Re: power window grinding sounds?

where are the gears located so I can check them? pics would be gggrrrrreeeeeaaaattt.

[Andy H]

Re: power window grinding sounds?

have a look around this site http://shbox.com/page/windowmotor.html it may help you some

[unvmyrs]

Re: power window grinding sounds?

right andy, i saw that site, but it doesn't show where the individual 'gears' are. sorry all, this is hopeless i think because its hard to get good shots inside the door anyway. my motor gets power, so if its only a gear i need to replace i don't want to spend 200 bucks to replace motor and regulator as well. you feel me brothers?

[RadRacer]

Re: power window grinding sounds?

I had the same problem man; drove me crazy, so I finally just went and bought a new motor (~$40 w/warranty). New motor fixed it, and hasn't done it since (roughly 7months ago)

[Archer]

Re: power window grinding sounds?

have a look around this site http://shbox.com/page/windowmotor.html it may help you some

thats the link i was talking about, couldnt remember what it was called.

Thanks andy.

[Archer]

Re: power window grinding sounds?

if its spinning, and there are rivets floating around in the door. you just need to reattach it. what you see through the door is the base of the motor. inside where you dont see is the gear and the window arm. you'll have to feel around in there to know what Im talking about. once you feel the motor see if it moves around. IF it doesnt... then the rivets on your window arm busted. This is normal happens all the time. you'll need to find a bolt that fits, and replace the rivets with the nuts, washers and bolts. you'll notice the window arm/ gear/ window slide is spring loaded. you will be able to move it up and down if the rivets are broken. you'll want to move the spring which ever way (cant remember) as if your pulling on the spring. you'll then notice the holes will line up. you MAY have to make the holes bigger where the "BIG" rivets used to be holding the window mechanism. once you figure where the holes actually go and the rivets used to be, you then will need to put a washer on the bolt slide it into the fiberglass door (where the old rivets used to be) and slide it though the bracket inside (metal) the door. make sure your bolts are not long because it will catch on the bracket and arms. then put a washer and nut on. repeat on the rest. I believe there are 3 rivets you'll need to replace.

This happens because the window goes ALL the way down, then up, then down and after a while the fiberglass weakens and the rivits finally break loose. poor engineering, great for racing because of weight. it will (if it hasnt already) happen to everyone. though I try not to let the window go all the way down, from what I have learned from my previous camaro fix. if you can wait till tomorrow afternoon when I get off of work, I'll take the photos of how I did it. the bolts and nuts are still there. I wont be able to show you the gear... but after I fixed it, i went to my other door, popped the rivets and fixed it this way aswell. if you hear it spinning, the motor is tight, then its the window brackets inside that have failed because of the rivets... not the motor.


once you pull on the window bracket the gear will reengage on the motor gear.. you'll have to feel around a little. but you'll understand. Dont be afraid to get dirty..
Archer