Passenger side Window InOp
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Passenger side Window InOp
When I try to lower my passenger side window from either control, it makes a soft click and nothing happens. 
I have gathered from other posts that I likely need to replace the motor and links. My question is: is this within the realm of my limited experience to undertake, or would I be better off taking it to a professional? Thanks!
I have gathered from other posts that I likely need to replace the motor and links. My question is: is this within the realm of my limited experience to undertake, or would I be better off taking it to a professional? Thanks!
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 10
From: Simi Valley CA
If you do a search you'll find this is very common. The pass window doesn't get used much. The remedy.. bang on the door while operating the switch. It usually jars it loose. Then use the window once in a while.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
You could also have a defective relay in your Right Door Control Module RDCM . The contacts in the relay get burnt and do not allow enough current to pass through to allow the motor to work. Bang or slam the door can and some times that will help.
Also try grabbing the wires inside the rubber accordion tube between the door and door frame and giving them a good shake!
Carry out each one separately so you know what one helps.
BC
BC
Also try grabbing the wires inside the rubber accordion tube between the door and door frame and giving them a good shake!
Carry out each one separately so you know what one helps.
BC
BC
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Very easily doable by yourself. I have NO mechanical experience and I replaced mine easily. Ordered my replacement part from Gene at www.gmpartshouse.com and used Vette Essentials website for door panel removal instructions and here is their link: http://www.vetteessentials.com/instr...or_handle.html.
Take your time. Be very careful removing the door panel as you can break the male connectors off from the door panel itself (ask me how I know) and replacing the door panel is VERY expensive unless you get lucky and have the time to wait around for a used one. Also, with your new window regulator assembly, there will be an odd star shaped zip tie holding the cables in an X pattern. Do NOT cut that zip tie. It is used to help secure the cabling to the inside of the door panel. Be sure you test the functions of your speakers and door panel buttons (windows, door locks, etc) to make sure you reconnected the wires (ask me how I know).
Good luck!
Take your time. Be very careful removing the door panel as you can break the male connectors off from the door panel itself (ask me how I know) and replacing the door panel is VERY expensive unless you get lucky and have the time to wait around for a used one. Also, with your new window regulator assembly, there will be an odd star shaped zip tie holding the cables in an X pattern. Do NOT cut that zip tie. It is used to help secure the cabling to the inside of the door panel. Be sure you test the functions of your speakers and door panel buttons (windows, door locks, etc) to make sure you reconnected the wires (ask me how I know).
Good luck!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
Sort of weird, but what Todd157K is true ... something seems to get stuck. Banging or driving around will probably fix it. Preventative maintenance is rolling the windows down and up every once in awhile.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
I tried shaking the hell out of the wires, which didn't help. The 'Fonzi', however, worked with just 2 hits. Thanks for the advice! Hopefully I'll be able to get more window down/ top off time now that the temperature is below triple digits...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
open the door all the way and then see if it works, sometimes you get bad connections in the wiring between the door and body and opening the door gets things working again... happens to me once every couple months...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,865
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From: Hillsboro OR
Never under estimate the power of percussive maintenance.
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Gray TN
Knock it!
Wow - I can't thank you guys enough. My passenger window on my newly purchased C5 (1999 Coupe, with 25K miles) was inop, and I was afraid I'd have to purchase a motor or something - a couple of thumps to the door and everything's working great now! What a fun car to drive - with the 6-speed tranny, heads-up display and the Bose cranking, it's a blast. We drove it on a trip a few weeks ago from Johnson City, TN to Charleston, SC and on to Hilton Head Island, SC - got 31 miles / gallon average on the whole trip. It's my little economy car!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Wow - I can't thank you guys enough. My passenger window on my newly purchased C5 (1999 Coupe, with 25K miles) was inop, and I was afraid I'd have to purchase a motor or something - a couple of thumps to the door and everything's working great now! What a fun car to drive - with the 6-speed tranny, heads-up display and the Bose cranking, it's a blast. We drove it on a trip a few weeks ago from Johnson City, TN to Charleston, SC and on to Hilton Head Island, SC - got 31 miles / gallon average on the whole trip. It's my little economy car!
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: pass christian Mississippi
I have the same problem with my pass. window, I do the Fonzi method its work for awhile and it quit,,,so I have 2take everything off and pound on the motor again and it work but a week after that it quit again. anybody have some idear...or else..
Thanks
Tommy
Thanks
Tommy
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 5
From: Mt. Pleasant SC
If you hear a clicking sound when you depress the window button, but it doesn't move, you need to replace the motor/regulator assembly.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Marshall TX
I thought my car did it today, I haven't tied the knock knock thing yet as the cars already put up. I do have a theory (maybe its been brought up already). The window uses relays, one for up and one for down. The relays that GM uses are notorious for being cheap and sticking. My wifes GTO wouldn't start one day and it was because the fan control relay stuck on and the fan stayed running until it ran the battery down. After jumping the car the fans were still on so I took the relay out and tapped it on the ground and low and behold it fixed the problem and it hasn't happened since. I wonder if this is just another case of cheap relays and the hitting the door frees the relay, nothing to do with the actual window or motor, just one more theory.
I think I am going to remove the door panel gently to make sure the window stays locked up and tap each relay to see what happens.
Well when I went back out its working fine.
I think I am going to remove the door panel gently to make sure the window stays locked up and tap each relay to see what happens.
Well when I went back out its working fine.
Last edited by Bills96TA; Feb 5, 2008 at 11:33 PM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 666
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From: Mt. Pleasant SC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
The hardest part of the job is getting the door panel off without breaking any of the mounts for the nylon fasteners. Getting the trim plate off from around the door handle was no easy task the first time either.
Once the door panel is off, the mechanical part of the job is easy.
Once the door panel is off, the mechanical part of the job is easy.