Driver side window problems
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: Batlimore, Maryland
Driver side window problems I know that we all seem to have problems with the window switches and or motors in our cars. This weekend for the fourth time the window switch went up or so the dealer thought. A little history about the car first before I go on. I have had the car to the dealer on July 2001, Aug 2001 and June 2002. It seem that when the weather breaks and it gets really hot the car eats window switches. Or aat least that is the part the dealers continue to replace. The symptom is that the window will start to go down and stop. Then you can't move it in either direction. After driving the car for a about 10 mins the window will work again and go all the way down or all the way back up but if you keep playing with it it will stick again. The dealer replace the switch and window worked fine.....for about a day 
Is the dealer correct in just replacing the switching or are they failing to look further into it. I was thinking that maybe the motor has a bad ground or something that keeps shorting. to me it seems a little weird how this problem only seems to occur after the weather breaks from cold to hot. Any ideas on how to fix this problem would be greatly appreciated.
Is the dealer correct in just replacing the switching or are they failing to look further into it. I was thinking that maybe the motor has a bad ground or something that keeps shorting. to me it seems a little weird how this problem only seems to occur after the weather breaks from cold to hot. Any ideas on how to fix this problem would be greatly appreciated. Re: Driver side window problems it sounds to me like it's the motor thats bad somebody correct me if I'm wrong but don't they have a thermal type breaker? and thats why you have to wait to raise it or lower it
Re: Driver side window problems its the window motor over heating pushing up our heavy *** windows. so thats why when you give it a break and time to cool down for 10 minutes, then it works fine. also hence why it messes up in the summer months and not in the winter months.
i seriously doubt it is the switch, id look into getting a new motor.
i seriously doubt it is the switch, id look into getting a new motor.
Re: Driver side window problems I agree with the above. Sounds like the motor to me. My car was doing the same thing for a while I replaced the motor I haven't had the problem since. It would do it more often when the car was hot. I would take it to the dealer and demand a new motor. I know in new jersey if you bring a car back to the dealer for the same problem 3 times or more their is a lemon law and you can demand a NEW CAR.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: Batlimore, Maryland
Re: Driver side window problems Here is the latest. I talked to the Chevrolet zone rep and they have ordered all new pieces and are going to replace everything from the switch to the motor. Hopefully this will fix the problem.
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Greece
Re: Driver side window problems I had that EXACT problem. I replaced my window motor two days ago and haven't had any problems since. It works better than my passenger side now. If you are going to do it yourself though, MAKE SURE THE PARTS STORE GIVES YOU THE RIGHT ONE. For some reason there are two types for our cars. It will be listed as just left/right side. Do not get the one listed as left/right front/back.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: East Cobb County, Ga.
Re: Driver side window problems Just had the driver side window motor replaced on my 99' T/A. Was covered under warranty- expensive
part. Tech said thermal breaker was the problem.
Works okay now- better than passenger side.
part. Tech said thermal breaker was the problem.
Works okay now- better than passenger side.
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On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: 'Planet Braaaaaggggg' and the GWOT
Re: Driver side window problems I have the same problem with my passenger side window, you say it's some thermal switch? maybe I'll just replace both if they work so much better after replacing. what do you guys think?
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 739
Likes: 0
From: houston,texas
Re: Driver side window problems Mine has the exact same problem too.....mine does it every once in a while ....For some reason my pass side window is slower than the driver side!!But my pass side window will go up halfway and stop and won't go up or down 
....a little while later it decides to go up!!......hopefully it will never happen to me while its raining!!! 
....a little while later it decides to go up!!......hopefully it will never happen to me while its raining!!! 
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Lehigh Valley, PA
Re: Driver side window problems One more chiming in,
Same damn thing happened to me the other day. It was a really hot day here in Pennsy and I went to refill my 'script at the beerman. Kicked down the side 'dows. Came back shut the car off [we have the delay power] and my drivers side window only went up a few inches and stopped. Ok, I fired the beast up again [figuring I timed out] and got maybe half an inch. No wonder I'm divorced.
Playing with the window for another 10 mins I finally got it all the way up. It has to be a self serving "I don't want to fry" thermal breaker. I took the car out today in mod temps and the window worked just fine.
I wonder if there are perfectly good motors being replaced because of a super sensitive breaker??
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
Same damn thing happened to me the other day. It was a really hot day here in Pennsy and I went to refill my 'script at the beerman. Kicked down the side 'dows. Came back shut the car off [we have the delay power] and my drivers side window only went up a few inches and stopped. Ok, I fired the beast up again [figuring I timed out] and got maybe half an inch. No wonder I'm divorced.
Playing with the window for another 10 mins I finally got it all the way up. It has to be a self serving "I don't want to fry" thermal breaker. I took the car out today in mod temps and the window worked just fine.
I wonder if there are perfectly good motors being replaced because of a super sensitive breaker??
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
TECH Resident
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 777
Likes: 0
From: Mentor, Ohio
Re: Driver side window problems I replaced my left window motor with a SIEMENS motor from Autozone. I think it was about $60.00 and has a lifetime warranty. Really easy to do. The hardest part was geting the little bolts in to secure it in place.
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Lehigh Valley, PA
Re: Driver side window problems Hey Stang Killer and Monge!
Cool names, not sure about bypassing the damned thermal protect thing, that's got to be what it is. An electric motor doesn't crap out and then come back to life.
My "baby" has been sitting outside for the last week because the wife's van pooped out. Only means of transportation. [My "Divorce Present" has been garage kept since I got her 3 years ago] It has been hotter then Hell here for the last few days. Drivers side getting the setting sun. Pass window went up just fine. Hopping in the car that day was like sitting in a green house. I have tan marks on my *** from hitting the hot leather!!!
The most I ever took apart the car was to take out the spare tire cover thingie to pull the once again super sensitive alarm "Iv'e been touched and will wake the neighbors and you at 3am horn sounding module" So I am guessing the thermal protect is inside the motor somewhere.
I played with that damned security button in the fender well more that my wifes to do what I wanted. No wonder she is mad at me. The W not the car.
There's gotta be a way to bypass it, but, you still have to pull it from the door. Drilling out the rivets and still being a PITA!!!
I just went out now to check it, it's fine. Go figure.
Cool names, not sure about bypassing the damned thermal protect thing, that's got to be what it is. An electric motor doesn't crap out and then come back to life.
My "baby" has been sitting outside for the last week because the wife's van pooped out. Only means of transportation. [My "Divorce Present" has been garage kept since I got her 3 years ago] It has been hotter then Hell here for the last few days. Drivers side getting the setting sun. Pass window went up just fine. Hopping in the car that day was like sitting in a green house. I have tan marks on my *** from hitting the hot leather!!!
The most I ever took apart the car was to take out the spare tire cover thingie to pull the once again super sensitive alarm "Iv'e been touched and will wake the neighbors and you at 3am horn sounding module" So I am guessing the thermal protect is inside the motor somewhere.
I played with that damned security button in the fender well more that my wifes to do what I wanted. No wonder she is mad at me. The W not the car.
There's gotta be a way to bypass it, but, you still have to pull it from the door. Drilling out the rivets and still being a PITA!!!
I just went out now to check it, it's fine. Go figure.
Re: Driver side window problems Last night I put my drivers side window down and when I got to WallyWorld(WalMart) I rolled up the window. When I was getting out the car I could smell something hot, like an electrical short. When I got back into the car I did not use the window until I went thru a drive through. Darn thing would not go back up. Of course it had started to rain then After a short time it went up part of the way and I continued this process until it was all the way up. I believe it was the motor windings that were getting hot. It did not smell like a semi-conductor frying, more like a motor winding. It did it again this morning with no smell of something getting hot. I believe the motor took a crap and based on the previous messages I will replace it this week.
After a short time it went up part of the way and I continued this process until it was all the way up. I believe it was the motor windings that were getting hot. It did not smell like a semi-conductor frying, more like a motor winding. It did it again this morning with no smell of something getting hot. I believe the motor took a crap and based on the previous messages I will replace it this week. Re: Driver side window problems Replaced the drivers side window motor with a new Advanced Auto unit, $54.00. It runs at almost twice the speed of the passenger window now. However, there is more gear noise. This does not bother me much though, just glad the window goes up and down without stopping. This one also had a lifetime warranty. They even had one in stock, hmmm, wonder if they sell many.
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Add me to this long list... Found the part at Napa... 41 bucks ... but the question now is how to get to the old motor since the door is one piece?
Anybody done this already? if so how did you go about doing it...
Thanks guys...
Chris
Anybody done this already? if so how did you go about doing it...
Thanks guys...
Chris
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
can anyone give me a tip how to brace the glass... so that I can remove the motor?
I've got the Interior panel off, door speaker out..., but dont see how to properly brace the glass and get the motor out... That I see, the motor has 1 rivet and 1 screw holding it in place.
Do I have to worry about a spring?
Any been there done that tips would be appreciated.
I've got the Interior panel off, door speaker out..., but dont see how to properly brace the glass and get the motor out... That I see, the motor has 1 rivet and 1 screw holding it in place.
Do I have to worry about a spring?
Any been there done that tips would be appreciated.
1999 Z28 I have changed mine 3 times 4 counting the dealers try under warranty , Had the Seimens motors from AutoZone with the life time Warranty-they did last 3 years traded them in on what AutoZone carries now which are made by Dorman , Dorman says they have corrected all of the orginal motors short falls so far so good even in Vegas heat last month were It was already in the High 90's.
