Volkswagen Repair: VW electric window stuck, vw golf gl, auto electrician

Question
I've just had to take my VW Golf GL to the auto electrician to fix my driver side window that went down and won't go back up again. They told me there was probably a part involved that they would have to replace. Can you suggest what this might be and how much it would cost? I don't know anything about cars, except how to drive them and i don't want to get ripped off just because I'm a woman who doesn't know about cars!

Answer
Hello Emily;  Please forgive me for not getting to you, and your question sooner.  My home computer broke.  I'm doing this from work for the time being, and it is sometimes difficult to get on the Internet, with 11 other guys, and a boss looking over my shoulder.  The window regulator may be at fault, and the entire door has to come apart.  This is a very labor intensive operation, and takes, even a practiced technician about 2, and a half hours.  So, it will be expensive.  The best place to get this operation completed, I would say, is your local, best Volkswagen dealer, because they usually have the parts on hand, and the technicians there have all done it, except for the lube only guys.  Nevertheless, excluding the regulator, the window "clips" could be at fault, too.  So get those replaced at the same time.  The ones that have been in use at all of the factories since late 2002, are the newer design, and they are far more robust than the older style.  The outer door panel has to come off first, and then the window has to be raised (by hand) to a certain level, and held, and then the inner door panel needs to be removed, and that is the part with the regulator, and the clips.  If the motor is still OK, those other parts can be replaced, and then the reverse process can reconstruct the door, and then, hopefully, the car should be good to go!  Let me ask you one question though, Emily...Do the interior lights come on when you open the door?  Does the remote unlock, and lock the doors, and does the alarm sound when locking?  If not, the window motor, and/or the door latch assembly might need to be replaced at the same time the window clips, and regulator are replaced...everything in the drivers door, as far as electronics, runs right through the window motor...that is where the "Comfort Module" is located.  So, check that other stuff out too, and you'll be happier, with a more complete repair.  Good luck, Emily, and once again, I'm so sorry I wasn't here right when you needed me...hope I'm not too late.