Oh great...It's happened!

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

Driver's side window motor went out.

I guess I know what I'm doing this weekend. Thank goodness I have Friday off. I've read through the how-to section probably a half a dozen times over the years.

Any special tools that will make it easier?? I'm going to get a couple clamps to hold the window in place. What else? Mirror maybe?

Oh...one more thing. How long will this job take?? I usually work pretty slow.

[Z Ya Later]

If the motor hasn't been replaced before, you'll need a drill and a small bit to punch through the rivets. Other than that, its pretty straight-forward. If I take my time, I can have the window motor out in about 30 min., give or take. Don't rush yourself, just take it slow. The first time Craig and I did it, it took us about 3 hrs....due to some nimrod tac-welding the nuts to the screws for the motor. If they hadn't been welded, probably would've taken us about an hr. or so...and 2 less drill bits lol. Good luck

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

That's good news. I'll be sure to let everyone know how it goes.

[LarryMow]

Dont feel like the Lone Ranger...I just may decide to get off my duff and finally put in the motor for my passenger window...I say finally because Ive had it since Christmas. Since I dont ever sit on that side, it hasnt really been that big of a priority. That is until I rolled it down about 2 inches so the inside wouldnt get so hot sitting in the sun at work...now the thing refuses to budge at all. Just my luck, lol.

[Z Ya Later]

That's good news. I'll be sure to let everyone know how it goes.

You'll be surprised at how little time it took you to finish it . Just make sure to take the applique off above the door panel that covers the side view mirror mounting bolts.

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

You'll be surprised at how little time it took you to finish it . Just make sure to take the applique off above the door panel that covers the side view mirror mounting bolts.

Yup...I've had door panel off a few times. Most recently to replace a speaker. That was fun. I got some soldering practice in!

One more question. Advance auto lists a couple different motors under the part number. They all have a lifetime warranty. Is any one better than the others? There's not much of a price difference.

ACI for $55...This should be in stock.

Cardone new and used $61 and $45.

Siemans for $62

[Z Ya Later]

I went with a Cardone new unit and have been very happy with it. So far it has lasted longer than any one of the GM units I've had. That's my recommendation.

[badTAbird]

Look at the pics at bottom of page. Will help you immensely.
http://shbox.com/page/windowmotor.html

[Formulaboy95]

I went with the Advance Auto one... Had to bring it back once under warranty, so it was replaced for free. Once ya get it done the first time, it only takes 30 mins or less the next time.

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

I'll have to go with the ACI motor for now. I have the time to work on it this weekend and don't want to wait to order a different one. It has a replacement warranty and it doesn't look like it'll take too long to do if it happens again.

If I it goes smoothly I might do both. The passenger side is getting slow as well.

[sneitzel]

I think my driver's side motor is going out as well. It will roll down fine but going up it gets about 2/3 closed then stops completely. If I wait a minute or 2 and try again it will go about another 2 inches and stop again. Eventually it will close completely. It did this once or twice over the winter but now in the summer it's every time. Heat related?

I'm assuming it's the motor no the switch since the passenger side works fine even when the driver's doesn't.

What do you think?

Scott

[Steel2686]

I think my driver's side motor is going out as well. It will roll down fine but going up it gets about 2/3 closed then stops completely. If I wait a minute or 2 and try again it will go about another 2 inches and stop again. Eventually it will close completely. It did this once or twice over the winter but now in the summer it's every time. Heat related?

I'm assuming it's the motor no the switch since the passenger side works fine even when the driver's doesn't.

What do you think?

Scott

My Bravada (daily driver) had the exact same problem. It's the motor. It's getting weak, and soon, will stop going up all together.

[TraceZ]

The cause of window motor failure is actually not the motor itself, but a thermal overload switch that is built into the motor. As this overload switch ages is ceases to allow enough current past to the motor and heats up quickly.

It is possible to take a "bad" window motor and restore it to full strength by bypassing the thermal switch with a little solder and wire. I question how safe that would be, though, because the motor would have no means of stopping itself in an arm or head got caught in the window. Would it provide enough force to really hurt someone?

[Z Ya Later]

The cause of window motor failure is actually not the motor itself, but a thermal overload switch that is built into the motor. As this overload switch ages is ceases to allow enough current past to the motor and heats up quickly.

It is possible to take a "bad" window motor and restore it to full strength by bypassing the thermal switch with a little solder and wire. I question how safe that would be, though, because the motor would have no means of stopping itself in an arm or head got caught in the window. Would it provide enough force to really hurt someone?

No, not all the time. The last 2 GM motors I had failed for different reasons. The first one somehow worked one of the bolts loose, causing it to sit at an angle and screwing up the gear. The second wasn't sealed properly and water got inside the motor. Gotta love GM quality sometimes.

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

Ahhh...progress...or lack of it.

I got the new window motor and the door panel off. Everything's fine until I see a pool of coolent below the car. I had the system flushed last week. So, I guess the window motor is now #2 on the priority list!

Once again...I'm glad I had Friday off. Car's in the shop now...Maybe tomorrow I can get this done.

[UPDATE] Well it's actually the power steering pump. At least it's under warranty. I got it at Napa and it was replaced just over 3 months ago.