Windows not working correctly?

Tiny
JAMIE J
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
I am trying to put the cable back on track but cant seam to get it back on the wheels is there a trick to get it back on it power window to work?
Sunday, November 8th, 2009 AT 11:52 AM

38 Replies

Tiny
KNOWYOURAUTO
  • MECHANIC
  • 113 POSTS
This is not what you want to hear but, it is what it is. The cables are held in place by a very small and thin plastic tab near the pulleys. Here's the hard part: The cables are tensioned during assembly and then the end of each cable is "stamped" into place to secure it. This stamping makes rebuilding impossible as it permanently deforms the metal.

The ONLY repair is to replace the window regulator in its entirety. They are available from the dealer and aftermarket at places like CarQuest, AutoZone, etc. With or without a new window motor.

Good Luck,

KnowYourAuto
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Saturday, November 14th, 2009 AT 10:07 PM
Tiny
CHERRIEMOON
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Hello,

I can no longer control my rear power windows. I want to replace one because it will not stay up. How do I know if it is the window motor or the window regulator that needs to be replaced?
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Usually it is not the fault of the motor if the windows slides down by itself as the motor would not turn easily. It could be the linkages between the motor and regulator though.

You need to remove the motor and regulator to check in order to confirm.
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
That model comes as unit motor/regulator common problem they use a plastic cable.
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RANDAJO1
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
My electric driver's window is moving very slow, how do I fix this?
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
You have a bad window motor or a binding window glass most likely a bad window motor. You will have to remove the inner door panel to see which it is.
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RANDAJO1
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Your welcome that's what were here for.
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SBOHN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Window goes almost half way down and then stops and seems to slip off track. I have to manually grab and pull up then window moves up automatically again.
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
You will have to remove the interior door panel and check window regulator and rivets holding window to regulator.
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUMONSTER
  • MEMBER
  • 46 POSTS
If I were you I would get a Haynes manual from ebay or Alibris for 4-10 dollars, it is very helpful to have the repair manual.
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WOLFPIERCE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM
The window buttons stopped working after the driver side sparked from a cut line, neither button works. We got a new button from a grand prix but we cant find the wiring diagram for either of the cars.
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Have you checked all the fuses yet?
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WOLFPIERCE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes, they seemed fine
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Do you have a 2 door or four door?Do you have a multi meter to do some testing.
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WOLFPIERCE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have a 2 door and no I don't have one.
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
We on or a test light to look for the problem.
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARJORINE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM
Ugh. Yes, I am getting this car so that it is ready to sell.

Okay, are there any good instructions online on how to fix a window regulator? I have pretty much decided that is what my mechanics broke. They wouldn't take responsibility for being careless with my fragile crank window. Instructions? I have a manual but it really isn't much help.

My AC seems to be low on r134a since it has not been blowing much of any cold air. Late in the season to be worrying about this, but you know how it is. Living down south, you'd be insane not to have AC. How do I know if it is just low on refrigerant and not something more costly? The compressor looks like it is running and it is blowing out cold air but not much. Of course, I have stopped using the AC when I noticed that it wasn't producing any cold air.

Also. The biggest question of all since I do not have a cause pinpointed and it is kind of important now that colder weather is coming. My vents won't switch from the regular vents to the windshield defrosters. What could be causing this?

Oh, and as I specified in the title. My car is a 1995 Grand Am SE Coupe with almost 88k miles (yes, you read right). I don't know the engine size and I really doubt it matters with my question.

Lizzy :)
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JONESJT
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
My experience is with my wife's 93 Grand Am SE, 130K miles.

I'm not sure what manual you have, but I found a Chilton's manual (the vehicle specific, $20 variety, similar to the Haynes manuals sold at Auto Zone, but I think the Chilton's are more helpful) to be very helpful. If it is a manual crank window I can help with more specific instructions as I have done this job before.

I would recommend going ahead and recharging the refridgerant (make sure the vehicle does, in fact, use r134a and not the older R12, I can't remember when this switch was made, but my 93 had the R12; R12 is incompatible with r134a). The refridgerant is cheap and easy to do yourself and the most likely culprit, relative to the other possibilities.
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARJORINE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Any thoughts on the vent problem?

I know my refrigerant is r134a because it says so under the hood. It also says it holds 2.25lbs of it. ;)

What other parts will I need to fix my window other than a new regulator? I'm about to order a new one so I want to be sure what else I should add to my cart.
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 12:40 PM (Merged)

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