Auto Glass: Stuck 2005 Camry window, window mechanisms, rubber gasket

Question
Ben,

Same issue as James in his 5/31/2009 post with the stuck Camry window in the up position, however mine is a 2005 model year.  The rubber gasket on all the windows was sticking to the glass and actually leaving a residue on the glass and when you would try to roll any of the windows down you would hear a distinct "breaking the seal" sound.  Any chance the window is just stuck to the sealing rubber and how would you suggest I try to seperate the glass from the seal?

I cleaned the residue off all of the windows, but when I got to the driver's side passenger window, it would not go down by using either the front or rear window switch.  I can hear a click sound inside the door panel below the window when I depress the switch but no movement on the window.  The rear windows in the Camry are seldom opened.

The driver's switch control panel did get wet about a week prior to my discovering the rear window wouldn't go down due to a thunderstorm when the front windows were down.  I tried drying up all the water, but I'm sure some got down into the front switch for the driver's rear window.  Any chance of a short from this.  All of the other windows still work by using the drivers' control pad after I dried out the top of switch assembly.

Thanks for any help you can give

Answer
Hi Gerry,

The window mechanism in your 2005 Camry is different than the window mechanisms used by Toyota in the Camry from 1997 through 2004.  And since I haven't worked on a 2005 or newer Camry, I can't be sure of what your problem is even though you have provided a good description of the circumstances.  But, let me at least share a couple of thoughts.  

I doubt that the driver's door glass is just stuck to the rubber seal, but at this point it is at least worth a try.  Use a "butter knife" (no serrated edge) between the glass and the seal on the inside of the window.

It is possible that a bit of water in your switch might have caused a problem, but it would have happened immediately.  If your driver's window worked after the rain storm, the water is probably not what created the problem.

I checked the Internet to see if I could find any history of window problems on the 2005 Camry.  That search came up negative.

I recommend that you lubricate your rubber seals with silicone (don't use anything else!) once or twice a year to minimize the sticking problem and residue issue.  You can get a can of spray silicone at most home centers and hardware stores.  Roll the windows down and spray the silicone onto the rubber gaskets being sure to get it into the "grooves" where the glass slides up and down.  Wipe off the excess silicone with a dry towel.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

Ben ... the power window guy