grannylib: needs help opening car window

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=310x848

You know, one's really disappointed, truly saddened, that there's such a paucity of automotive experts on Skins's island; this place of course is much much much smaller than Skins's island, but questions in this forum get faster, and more, responses, than on Skins's island.

grannylib  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Tue Apr-01-08 08:54 AM
Original message

Hello all - need some advice. My driver's side window (elec) is going wonky; it's off the track inside the door or something, and I can usually jockey it up/down using one hand on window and one on the switch, but today, it's stuck. Is this a DIY kind of thing, or do I need a pro to take off interior panel and re-seat window?

I'm fairly handy, just have never tried anything like this before.

Any suggestions or advice appreciated - thanks much!

Electric windows annoy me, because I'm under the impression that if something goes wrong, it's an expensive repair job that one can't do himself.

None of the primitives are reacting to this bonfire; can anybody help the granny primitive?

[Rebel]

I'm assuming she doesn't have a master switch?




 

[franksolich]

I'm assuming she doesn't have a master switch?




 

Is there really such a thing as a "master switch" for the windows?

If so, is it located usually under the dashboard, or what?

I really dislike electric windows; if something breaks, I like to be able to deal with it myself.  If something's breakable and requires expert service, I'd rather not have it.

[Lord Undies]

I think electric locks and electric windows are the best thing to have happened to the interior of the automobile since the air conditioner (which actually came after the first electric windows).

Yes, when they are out of order it is the proverbial bitch, but we get it fixed and get over it. 

This particular DUmmie needs to find someone who knows what they are doing.  She has probably ruined the window motor by ignoring the tracking problem until it finally quit. 

[Uhhuh35]

She doesn't say what make of car she has but they are all fairly similar. DUmmie_GrannieLibTard says that she can get the window up by "jockeying it" so the motor presumably is still working. The mechanism can be accessed by taking off the door's inside panels. There may be a clear plastic cover to peel back also. There is an electric motor driving a gear that pushes a linkage that's connected to the window that pushes it up or down. Like this:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/power-window1.htm

The windows do fall off their tracks sometimes either at the gear or the slide, usually the slide. Anyway, there is usually an adjustment screw of some sort that you can loosen, put the window back on track, then re-tighten the assembly.

Yes, this is can be a DIY project for anyone with a little bit of skill but be forewarned: Those assemblies are really greasy! Have plenty of rags available.

Hope that helps

[Rebel]

Is there really such a thing as a "master switch" for the windows?

If so, is it located usually under the dashboard, or what?

I really dislike electric windows; if something breaks, I like to be able to deal with it myself.  If something's breakable and requires expert service, I'd rather not have it.

I was talking about the hammer, Frank. Kinda like having a crow bar as a master key to your home. 

[Chris_]

I'm assuming she doesn't have a master switch?




 

Is there really such a thing as a "master switch" for the windows?

If so, is it located usually under the dashboard, or what?

I really dislike electric windows; if something breaks, I like to be able to deal with it myself.  If something's breakable and requires expert service, I'd rather not have it.

Frank, today is April 1.   

[franksolich]

Frank, today is April 1.   

But I always take RebelKev seriously, 365 days a year.

[Chris_]

Frank, today is April 1.   

But I always take RebelKev seriously, 365 days a year.

Oh my.   

[Crazy Horse]

If the cables have come loose to where they should be, then an entire replacement is needed. Just happened to me...........little plastic piece broke and viola.............$450 new assembly

[Rebel]

But I always take RebelKev seriously, 365 days a year.

Frank, please don't do that. 

[Crazy Horse]

But I always take RebelKev seriously, 365 days a year.

Frank, please don't do that. 

Yeah................3 days a year might be more acceptable

[Randy]

She doesn't say what make of car she has but they are all fairly similar. DUmmie_GrannieLibTard says that she can get the window up by "jockeying it" so the motor presumably is still working. The mechanism can be accessed by taking off the door's inside panels. There may be a clear plastic cover to peel back also. There is an electric motor driving a gear that pushes a linkage that's connected to the window that pushes it up or down. Like this:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/power-window1.htm

The windows do fall off their tracks sometimes either at the gear or the slide, usually the slide. Anyway, there is usually an adjustment screw of some sort that you can loosen, put the window back on track, then re-tighten the assembly.

Yes, this is can be a DIY project for anyone with a little bit of skill but be forewarned: Those assemblies are really greasy! Have plenty of rags available.

Hope that helps

Not to mention razor sharp along the stamped metal edges. Mechanical aptitude is a must. Also if the regulator assembly is stuck in the wrong position a die grinder to cut the thing up to get it out of the hole will be needed.