Auto Glass: 1996 Camry Power Window, wiring connector, master switch

Question
Ben,

I have a 1996 Camry I recently purchased. The drivers window will not roll down. I have checked in the door for a broken wire and found nothing. I believe the likely culprit is the regulator/Motor. I took the panel off to inspect and noticed that the regulator isnt visible with the window in the UP position. Im thinking about buying a new regulator w/ Motor but Im not sure how to get the regulator down far enough to take out the bolts with the window UP.  Do I cut the cables going to the regulator?

Any help would be appreciated.

Answer
Hi Chris,

Before you make the assumption that you have a bad window regulator / motor you should check to be sure that the switch is sending power to the window motor and that the power coming out of the switch is reaching the wiring connector that plugs into the window motor.  If you don't have the experience or tools to do this, you should probably get professional help.

Once you have confirmed that you have power going to the window motor from the master switch and that the window regulator is not working, you will need to remove the glass from the regulator before you can replace the regulator.  That is almost impossible to do with the window in the "UP" position.  Cutting the regulator cables will allow you to lower the window so that you can remove the two bolts that secure the glass to the regulator and then after sliding the glass back into the up position and securing it with a piece of tape, you will be able to remove the old regulator / motor assembly and install the new one.

Feel free to send a follow up question if there is anything else I can help you with.


Ben ... the power window guy