2000 C5 Torch Red Vert, 45K miles...

So, we were having a nice drive along the beach the other day, and Vickie tried to put her passenger side window up (heard a crunch as it went up), then down. More crunch then something falling and hitting the bottom of the door frame, inside.

Found a great how-to video on YouTube about taking the door panel off, very easy, T-30 driver and a wide screwdriver padded with masking tape.

Removed the speaker, again, very easy, and found a bunch of small light blue plastic rods/pieces inside of the door along with the item that caused the "something fell" sound. A half moon guide for the front cable that pulls the side window up and down.

This guide, probably designed by the same people who used plastic gears in the headlight flaps, is constantly stressed as the cable twists around it. The plastic tips (3) that allow it to be pushed into the metal vertical window support guide, broke off, therefore the clunk of it falling into the door and the window having minimal movement.

Looks like the window regulator, which is the cables and the motor assembly, is in fine shape and works great. It's this tiny plastic half-moon thing that broke.

(Why they didn't make this thing as a metal pulley is not known).

1-So, if just this tiny cheap plastic guide is the problem, any ideas if I can buy it from the dealer?

2-It looks like I could just drill a hole in the middle of it and put a thru-bolt through it and the metal upright.

3-There is the possibility that something caused stress in the cables, up and down or something is jammed in the track that caused stress to this tiny plastic part. Any ideas on what to look for?

Sorry for the very long post. The dealer wants $350 for a new regulator and if it's installed by them, $650. But it looks like its not the regulator, its the tiny plastic part or something causing it to stress/break.

Thanks,

Bob/Bradenton, FL

 

To the best of my knowledge there are no individual repair parts available for the regulators. Here is a link for the passenger side regulator from Cultrag Performance who is a forum vendor and great to deal with. Good luck with your repair.

http://www.cultragfactoryparts.com/c...position=right

 

Thanks Zac,

At least, if I order the entire Regulator/Motor from your source, it costs a lot less. Thanks!!!

But, I'm still wondering about that tiny light blue plastic cable guide and if it is included with the Regulator part.

On Saturday, I'm going to drill a hole through the middle of the plastic guide, bolt into place and try out the window, looking for something that is causing more stress to the cable/guide.

I'll report in...Bob/Bradenton, FL

 

After review, I'm not going to try to reattach that small plastic guide. Something in the regulator caused it to stress so I'll be replacing the entire assembly.

(NOT from the local dealer who wanted $350 for the regulator but from Zac's suggested contact for $204!)

Found a great, simple YouTube video on how to do it:


Looks like easy stuff. Ordering the new regulator today. While I'm at it, might do the driver's side too...

By the way, about 45K miles on this car, mostly top down, garage stored-top down, limited use of the power windows (down most of the time). Could it be that about 50K miles is about the lifetime of these regulators?

Thanks, Bob/Bradenton, FL

 

I do not think mileage is that much of a factor. My nephew is parts manager at the local Chevrolet Dealership. He says from his experience the newer cable regulators fail at random times a lot because of the plastic pieces in them. My 2001 coupe has 140,000 miles on it and regulators are working just fine. Had one changed under warranty years ago but that has been it. Good luck with your repair.

 

Hi Zac,

Again, thanks for the link over to CULTRAG Performance. I bought both the right and left regulators from them for $205/$212 with $29 frt.

I found the regulators cheaper from other sources and Amazon had them for $164/each BUT, some were "reproductions" and others had problems with the electrical hookup being the incorrect factory match. (Needed adapter pigtails).

So, went with the GM parts, not replicas. Same as the local dealer quoted me for $350/each ($650/single unit, installed). (The parts guy has said that the price was the "for you" price. Hmmm...)

This is a very easy install. No need for the dealer.

Thanks again. Bob/Bradenton, FL

 

I just ordered a new window regulator off Ebay for $44.70 with free shipping. I have replaced so many window regulators in my 99 and 02 that there is no way I am paying the price of a new OEM window regulator. This one comes with a 1 year guarantee, so for the priced I am going to give it a try. I bet I have replace at least 5 window regulators due to the plastic cable guides at the spool breaking. Years ago I took it to the dealer, it was $500, then another $500 when the control box relay went out. I now have spare control boxes too and will be buying new relays to solder in. Anyway, hope this helps. Don't be surprised when the other side goes.... Good luck my friend.

 

It's a pretty easy DIY. I posted a how-to with pix a couple of years ago. FYI, the regulators are not Vette specific, they are POS generic parts. You can probably get one from a forum vendor or Amazon, Rock Auto for about $90-$100.

 

Strongly suggest you match-mark all interface points between the window and the regulator including the clamp and all of the adjustment screws and align the new regulator as close as possible to those of the old regulator. This will save you a ton of time in alignment when going back together and getting the window to seal without leaking air or water. Good luck.

 

Thank you for the referral. The customer purchased from us and is very nice. Just finished up working with him letting him know the RH regulator has a new style connector and we didn't want him to get the new regulator without it.