[Neko-]

Looked through the other issues related to the power windows, but couldn't really find something that linked up with what I have here.

Windows working fine. Last week however the window on the driver side started having issues rolling up. Opening the door, then putting it up would work normally. Sounded to me like a friction issue or something.

However as I tried it yesterday I noticed some of the rubber molding at the front of the door (used to guide the window I surmise), parts of it scrounged up a bit, which may have caused extra friction and thus prevented the window from actually rolling up normally.

Opened the door, tried getting the window up, but in this case... it wouldn't... Again the folding of the rubber occurred. I actually had to pull the window up with my other hand to help it past some friction or something. Once past that the motor itself took care of the rest, so I'm kinda discarding the motor and switches to be at fault.

Used some silicone spray to lubricate the rubber somewhat and now the window does move up and down normally again (although somewhat slower, (must be the silicone spray that still needs to disperse itself somewhat), but tonight when I drove home from work, I did notice the window made some peculiar noises going down and up, as if it was somehow not being guided right.

Now I did notice some piece of rubber peeking out from the front window-guider, as I just had a lowering and upping of the window twice. If pulled on it does seem to want to come out. Looking at the Haynes manual 11-11 - 20) I'm guessing that might be the weather stripping that's come loose, which may cause excessive friction, and possibly the 'strange' noises the window itself makes, not to mention the fact that the window doesn't seem to run up in a straight line, but seems to want to deviate from that course.

I checked the Haynes manual (page 11-9 17) and am planning on taking the door panel off this weekend or so and have a look to see what is wrong, and what I can do myself to fix it, or if it needs fixing from the shop. Now I am kind of curious if someone has had this issue, or might know exactly what is causing it, so I can have a more specific look at certain items to verify correct operation.

[CobraBoy]

Yeah it seems to me like the weather stripping is to blame. If I was you I wouldn’t roll my window up or down till you get it fixed because it will put strain on the motor and possibly ruin it or cause it to go bad quicker than normal. Also... try putting some WD-40 on in and see if that helps. That stuff works wonders. Although, check the warning label and see if it can be used on rubber and stuff because I'm not entirely sure if it is safe for that kind of application.

[Neko-]

Since the weatherstrip (if that is what it is) is at the top of the triangular guidance rail at the front of the window, I'm pretty sure it's loose enough to be tugged along with the window. Any lubrication whatsoever isn't gonna help me much unless I get that thing fixed in place again.

Now the issue really is a questionmark, cause I've never worked on a window before, nor have I any idea how the weatherstrip is supposed to be fixed to the door. Guess I'll have to look at that once I get the panel off.

And indeed... I wasn't planning on lowering the window anymore until I've atleast had a look at things.

[Neko-]

Not posting the pictures, to keep the thread fast-loading. The links are there tho, so you can open the pictures if you want to

Got pretty annoyed tonight, and looking at the manual stating about 7 steps and being able to atleast look at it, I figured: 2 hrs of daylight left, why not. Took the door apart.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7...m/DSC01177.jpg

At first I suspected a piece of rubber since it moved up along in the trangular shape that holds the mirror. Extra rubber usually means more friction, and that rubber doesn't look like that belongs there.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7...m/DSC01178.jpg
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7...m/DSC01179.jpg

Turns out that rubber appearantly hangs loose inside the door and I'm guessing it's only used for guidance.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7...m/DSC01183.jpg

As I had a look it's most likely the lining of the window inside the door, and since I'm not familiar with how that specifically is done, I'm figuring this is more something geared to the shop to do. So reconstructed the door... only to find the window wouldn't move up more then 1/3 or the way...

It's past 17:00, so the shop is closed. But there is a window-company nearby. Maybe let them take a look, cause they sure as hell are more prone to know what to look for then me. Also closed at 17:00...

Can't leave my car out with the window open. So called the 24hr service line of that company. Got an engineer of 'm to come down and have a look (and that costed me a bit since it's after-hours work ), cause he might be able to atleast get the window closed normally again.

Point in case: turns out one of the scissor arms (the one attached to the rail on the window) is slightly bent. So this exerted force on the black-plastic guidance for the rail.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7...m/DSC01187.jpg

That black thing was missing on the ball-joint on the window-based guidance rail. Got the thing out:

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7...m/DSC01184.jpg

The circle in the middle should hold the ball-joint, but it looks like it's seen it's share of force

Arm was bent slightly into a more straight position using a bit of brute force. As was the re-fixation of the black guidance-thing onto the ball-joint. It vehemently refused to slip on

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7...m/DSC01188.jpg

Eventually... Success... Although we did need 15 more minutes to get the black plastic thing back into the window-based guide-rail.

Finally succeeded on that, turns out the vertical guidance rail also has a guidance lock, and also here the ball-joint had come out of the black sliding piece of plastic. Fortunatly this one allowed for a bit smoother refitting... Although some brute force was needed.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7...m/DSC01189.jpg

At this point the window would again normally move up, although it's leaning into the car further then it has in the past. At this point I don't care. I can park the car. And that window will NOT be used at all until it's been thouroughly checked by someone that knows how that stuff should operate. But it seems the whole window-mechanics need replacement, since I highly doubt it's fixable by getting loose parts.

Engine and switches atleast are good, so that isn't a problem. I'm just wondering what this eventually is gonna cost me :? Better have a call to the shop tomorrow then I suppose