QuestionQUESTION: How can I determine if the window motor is bad or if it is the regulator? My passenger window just slides up and dwon I have to put tape on it to hold it up, my driver side window sometimes will not go back up after I have lowered it.
ANSWER: Andy,
Please provide me with the following information:
Vehicle Make
Vehicle Model
Year Vehicle was made
Do you hear any sound coming from inside the passenger door when you press the switch to lower / raise the window?
If you only roll the driver window about half way down, do you still have a problem getting it to go back up?
Ben ... the power window guy
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Sorry it is a 1997 Toyota Camry, I sometimes hear sound on the passenger side but not always and like I said the window can be raised and lowerd by hand. The driver side seems to only be when I roll the window down completly, I can't be positive of this but that is what I seem to recall.
ANSWER: Hello Andy,
If you can raise and lower the glass by hand on the passenger door, the glass must no longer be connected to the window regulator. The problem may be simple and it may be complex. See the third paragraph for more information.
The window motor on the driver's door is probably failing. When the window is all the way down, the motor has much more work to do to get the window up. Hence, it overloads and shuts off until it cools down about 10 minutes later.
I don't have any idea how mechanically experienced you are so I won't go into any detail about what it takes to make the necessary repairs. I will tell you however, that you can find reliable replacemnt parts from someone other than Toyota. I recommend the "Dorman" brand. Most auto parts stores will have access to these products.
Let me know how else I can help.
Ben ... the power window guy
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Ben,
Well when researching this topic I have read how to pull the door panel off, have not tried it but have read how to. Is it tough to get to the motor for the window? And when I pull the panel off the passenger door how easy is it to tell if the window is off the regulator?
AnswerHi Again Andy,
Once you have the door panel off, follow the steps briefly outlined below.
1. re-connect the master switch and lower the window almost all the way down. you will see two 10mm bolts that hold the glass to the window regulator. remove the bolts. slide the glass to the top and secure it with a piece of tape.
2. remove the six 10mm bolts that hold the window regulator to the inside of the door. four of the bolts are in a rectangular pattern just right of the center of the door. the two other bolts are toward the left side of the door. remove the wiring connector from the motor lead.
3. take the window regulator and motor out of the door.
4. place a locking pliers or similar clamp on the regulator to keep it from springing closed when you remove the motor. remove the bad motor and install the new one.
5. re-install the regulator inside the door. lower the glass and and re-install the glass mounting bolts.
6. re-connect the switch and make sure everything is working properly.
7. lubricate the rubber channels where the window slide up and down with spray silicone: DON'T USE ANYTHING BUT SILICONE.
8. reinstall your door panel.
If you do the passenger door after you have done the driver door and you will probably be able to see what is wrong.
Good luck with your project. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Ben ... the power window guy
