General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Power Window problem on 2001 Z28

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 24, 2009 | 03:38 PM
  #1  
yabadaba's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: London, UK
Default Power Window problem on 2001 Z28

Hi, I tried opening my driver side window today and it moved a few inches but then stopped and a grating noise came from the inside the door panel. Sounds to me like gears slipping. Strangely, though, the window will move up fine, just not down.

I removed the door panel and that plastic sheet, hoping I'd be able to spot something obvious, but haven't got a clue what to try next. I can't even see the motor as I guess it's sandwiched in between the inner and outer door skins. Any ideas what to try?

btw, a couple of other things, just in case they might be relevant. The service history states that the motor/regulator in this door was replaced back in 2003. Also, ever since I've had this car there has been a clunk whenever the window in this door moves from either a fully raised or fully lowered position.
Reply
Old May 24, 2009 | 07:36 PM
  #2  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,967
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

This is a common thing when the motor separates from the regulator. From the factory, the two are riveted together. When replaced, most people bolt them together.

I'll bet that yours are currently bolted and those bolts have just come loose. Re-tighten with some locktite and all should be well.
Reply
Old May 24, 2009 | 11:16 PM
  #3  
slayerized6's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,592
Likes: 1
Default

its not a hard install at all. you might be lucky as the motor was replaced already. basically what you have to do on a untouched motor is drill out the rivets, remove motor, replace new motor, bolt new motor in. shouldnt take more than an hour and every part store carries the motor
Reply
Old May 29, 2009 | 03:25 PM
  #4  
yabadaba's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: London, UK
Default

Well, it turns out it was the motor that was at fault, but as I wasn't sure at the time I ended up ordering and fitting a regualtor/motor combo. Only took 2 days to get here, whch I thought was pretty amazing, given that I'm in London, UK and it was despatched from somewhere in Iowa!

But, my troubles aren't over yet, because now what happens with the new parts fitted is that the window seems to get stuck when in the fully down position. There's no noise or clicking, it just goes completely dead. But, it's not the motor again because if I bang on the door panel or just open and shut the door it starts working again immediately. It's as if something is getting trapped when it goes all the way down and a small jolt is enough to free it again.

Any ideas? Could the window be going down too far....any way to restrict how far it goes down?
Reply
Old May 30, 2009 | 11:08 AM
  #5  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,967
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Check all of the rivets/bolts on the motor and door and make sure that they are not contacting the regulator arms. (Sometimes, if these are too long, they will protrude out and catch the regulator arms.)
Reply
Old May 30, 2009 | 09:26 PM
  #6  
Bad Lt1 Camaro's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Ashland KY
Default

Iv had that problem too..i could fall asleep while watching my windows roll up they are so slow lol
Reply
Old May 31, 2009 | 04:21 AM
  #7  
yabadaba's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: London, UK
Default

Sorted...I hope! I lowered the window fully and kept the window switch pressed whilst wiggling the electrical connector that goes onto the motor and the window immediately started moving up. Although the connector appeared to be on properly I unplugged it and sprayed some contact cleaner into it. After reconnecting it the problem seems to have gone.
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2009 | 07:25 AM
  #8  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,967
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Yea, the connector is really hard to get back on after an install. Sometimes, it will feel like its on but won't actually be contacting. (You need to feel your way around the connector and make sure the latch is engaged to confirm its on good.)
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:57 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE