QuestionI have a 1993 Chrysler LaBaron Convertible the rear window will not go up or down, in fact it now falls down I think that it jumped the track. How do I get it back on the track. How do I get the top panel off with out breaking anything?
My car is also leaking cooling fluid I think from the water pump but I'm not sure. The car has 115000 miles on it. It looks like it had a new heater core put in befor I purchased it. I've only had this car 1-1/2 months. I had the car for only 1 week and the trans went out and now it's leaking fluid. I can't afford to have anyone do the things that need to be repaired on it. It cost me $1600.00 for the trans work, so I hope that you can help me with this.
Thank you,
Debbie
aka Ladybiker
AnswerHi Debbie,
Sorry to learn about your several problems, but once you get it sorted out I think you will enjoy the car. On the transmission, as I understand it the unit was repaired at a cost of $1600 but has started to leak transmission fluid. If that is the case then you should have recourse with the shop that repaired the unit to get them to repair the leak without cost to you as the price you paid is synonymous with a total rebuild which should be leak free. So pursue that course right away and if they are uncooperative the small claims court is a place to get justice, as well as the state bureau of auto repairs in the consumer division of your state government (try that before small claims court).
On the waterpump leakage or other part leaking in the cooling system, how much cooling fluid are you having to add to the overflow bottle per 100 miles of driving or per week, for example? Do you find any fluid under the car after you have left it parked for a while. If so, where is the puddle with regard to the engine or some other part of the body that might be located above the leak (such as a water hose, radiator core, fire wall (where the heater hoses pass thru to the heater), etc. Is the carpet wet under the heater unit inside the car? If you can find the area of the leak, then a solution can be determined.
On the quarter window, I will be glad to copy a page from the Chrysler shop manual that describes how to get at that window and the motor that drives it. I have an '89 LeBaron Coupe which has a fixed window so I haven't had any experience with motor driven windows on the convertible. But I am the co-moderator of a Yahoo LeBaron Club that has many convertible owners who know the ins and outs of this issue. So, let me know if you want the manual page, and I'll Xerox and snail mail it to you. Just give me a postal mailing address. The group can be reached by going to the yahoo.com home page, click on Groups, then search for a group called The Chrysler LeBaron Club. Join the Club and then post a question about you problem with the window. But I think the page would be useful as you will have the terminology to use when asking questions at the Club.
So let me know about your results in getting the tranny fixed by the original repair shop at no cost, and where you find any coolant under the car. If you have 3.0L V-6, and the water pump is leaking, then you will need to have a repair that includes removing some of the drive belts, as well as the timing belt in order to reach the water pump for replacement because it is designed to be driven by the timing belt (it is internally mounted in the front of the engine). It is likely at 115,000 miles that the timing belt may have several 10's of thousands of miles on it and it could be getting near the point where it needs to be replaced (a very conservative recommendation is for a change every 60,000 miles, so it may not really need to be changed yet.) But it could be inspected while the water pump is being changed and if it is worn then that is the time to replace it as it will then be taking care of two maintenance items at the same time. If you have 4 cyl engine then this consideration is not relevant as the water pump on that one is external and is driven by a conventional belt driven by the pulley on the crankshaft.
Roland
