The left, rear window (driver's side) of my 92 SE refused to go up the other day. I could hear the motor working in the door, but it would not move? Does this sound like the glass has come off its track? Do I just remove the cloth insert to get to it or do I have to take the whole door panel off?
Thanks.

 

very common problem

usually when you're able to hear the window motor running when you push the switch but nothing happens, the window regulator is the problem

it's the cables that are driven by the motor and actually pull the window up or down along the track, they get tangled or messed up somehow

Courtesy Nissan (www.courtesyparts.com) is probably the best place to get them. They are about $60-70 each there and it says on their site that they are improved so that wont fail again (not right away at least).

Once you get the new regulator, check out my page for instructions on how to install it. It's pretty simple and should only take you about 30 minutes max for the first time.

Good luck

Also, search next time, this and many other common problems can be found in the FAQs and in the archives here

 

Thanks for the info.
Should I just assume that it's the regulator and go ahead and order one? It sounds as if there is no real way to test it.

 

open up your door per those instructions and look to see

 

Well, it appears that the wire that runs from the motor has jumped a track on the plastic wheel/pulley and is jammed to where there is only about 5 inches of window travel. I am trying to take the back off the mechanism to see if I can get the wheel free in order to re-thread the wire. Problem is, I can't get the 3 phillips screws off, so I doused it with wd-40 and I am off to the hardware store to get an impact driver (can't seem to find mine). Hopefully, when I get these screws off I will be able to access the wheel and re-wire the wire. fun fun fun

 

yeah, that's the case a lot of times. It'll depend on the condition of the wire (it'll usually get bent too badly to rewind around the drum), also check to make sure it's not gonna come loose again - ie. nothing broke to cause it. There are a few plastic clips which commonly break on the edges of the regulator.

Be sure to use a big enough phillips head bit for those screws, #2 I think

Good luck

 

Is there a way to just replace that plastic spindle and the wire instead of the whole assembly?

 

Also be careful you dont burn the motor up like me. I replaced the window reculator and then my motor died on me. I think thats because when the regulator was broke i kept trying to put it up and i burned the motor up while doing that.

 

Respooling the thing is a fun task...very frustrating to get it apart. When mine broke I had to do that to get the window back up before it rained and then I jammed a screw driver under the whole thing to keep it staying up till I replaced the regulator. Its been two months now and it still hasn't fallen yet.

 

Well, the motor seems to work fine, so I really think it's just the wire that got jammed and restricted the travel of the window. If I can replace the plastic runner and wire, I think I will be fine. I am gonna try to use the existing parts to get it apart and then put it properly back together. I figure I'm an expert at getting the damned thing out, so if I have to go back in, it should be no problem.

 

That plastic wire adn spindle is the part that usually gets messed up so that's why most buy a new regulator. You may be able to rig something to work for now, but just be sure to figure out why the thing got tangled in the first place so that it wont happen again. New regulators are only $60 or so and aren't prone to failure like the old ones (according to courtesy nissan's site) so keep that in mind.

 

I see. I guess I didn't understand that the regulator was composed of the plastic spindel, metal assembly around it, the wire and the rail. Seems like it would be easier just to pony up the $60.- and be done with it. Thanks for the info.

 

Hey i have an extra driver side window regulator...Its yours for $40 shipped

 

Hey i have an extra driver side window regulator...Its yours for $40 shipped

please email me for further correspondence I'll forget to check this thread.

 

Damn, I didn't check this thread and I have already ordered my part. Oh well.
Just as a heads-up, my local Nissan dealer actually had the part for $7.- less than courtesy Nissan. $52.50.

Here's the link. I'll let you all know how it works out.

http://www.younkernissan.com/