(I posted this in the third gen section, but wanted to see if it could get more attention here!)

Hi Guys,

I am totally new to the forum, but could really use some help. I have a 1997 Sunfire Convertible which I recently purchased and both the driver and passenger side windows aren't working. I assumed it would be the motor, due to the search I performed on this site, but my mechanic insists that both regulators need to be replaces, because the metal cable on the regulators is fraying. I am not very mechanically inclined so I wouldn't be able to tell myself.

Anyway, I went to purchase new regulators, but for some reason on the Convertible models, they are exorbitantly priced higher then all other regulators for the sunfire. For example, the coupe regulator is around 70 bucks where as the convertible regulator is about 400.

My questions for you guys is first, is this a normal problem? Do regulators go and if so is it normal for both to be broken? Is my mechanic wrong and is a motor all that is needed?

Second, if it is in fact the regulator, is there any possible way of getting them cheaper than 400. I tried junkyards, autopart stores, and everything, and no one seems to carry regulators for the convertible model, and if they do, they are very pricey.

Any information or advice you guys could offer would be so greatly appreciated. I purchased this car as a first car for my girlfriend, but really can't afford paying 800 to fix the windows. Do I have to just suck it up and do it or is there any other way.

I look forward to hearing any of your comments or suggestions. Thanks so much in advance everyone!

- Mike

HA! Mine are both broke right now...and really it is not the regulator as much as it is the motor. This is a huge problem with these cars. The problem is the unit motor and regulator are not separate parts per GM's standard....the motor is pop riveted to the regulator. You can buy just the motor and attach it to the regulator. I found my regulators were horribly rusted which probably contributed to the motors failing. Mine are scissor actuated, so I do not know where your mechanic is talking about frayed cables. Soak the regulators in penetrating oil and grease them very well!!!!

It is a pretty simple fix if you have patience. You can buy two motors on Ebay for $50...I would buy 4...as they seem to last about a year.

I have found them at junk yards for around $100...but they are not in any better shape than mine. Remember GM made a whole lot more coupes and sedans, than convertibles. Plus depending on where you live, they might not be to plentiful.






______________________________
'99 Cavalier Z24 Convertible
Remind me why i keep this car?

you probably should just get the motors allthough it would be best to get the whole assembly. I have repaired these before, just be sure to ask your "mechanic" if he has the special GM rivets and LARGE rivet gun to put it back together.. I've tried bolts and it was nearly impossible so I just used the rivets.


------------------------------------------------------------

it is possible to bolt them back in...you need a bolt that has a fairly small thread thoough.... as for the poster above that states the motors only last about a year... he must either be using his power windows a ton... or just having bad luck

Check to see if your window switch is plugged in, i have seen them come unplugged before. Since both window are not working, i would be looking at the switch and wiring 1st, not the regulators.

Also my brother had a jeep cherokee which the windows did not work(i forget how many didnt work, but the driverside def. did not). The problem was the the wires to the motor/regulator broke at the door hinge in the drivers door.

Take your door panel off and hook up a 12v power and ground to the motors/regulators to test them. If they work then your problem is elsewhere, if they dont then they are the problem.

as far as i know(GM tech)

there is no wire on your regulator



its just a pain cause you have to drill rivots out



swapped, supercharged, intercooled, 2.9, fun

Tinkles wrote:Check to see if your window switch is plugged in, i have seen them come unplugged before. Since both window are not working, i would be looking at the switch and wiring 1st, not the regulators.

Also my brother had a jeep cherokee which the windows did not work(i forget how many didnt work, but the driverside def. did not). The problem was the the wires to the motor/regulator broke at the door hinge in the drivers door.

Take your door panel off and hook up a 12v power and ground to the motors/regulators to test them. If they work then your problem is elsewhere, if they dont then they are the problem.

Yeah, Check the wiring before you go through a lot of trouble. I would check the switches with a multimeter too. They don't operate like a regular toggle. when the switch is not being used, both sides of the motor are grounded, when it is used, one side stays grounded and the other goes positive, this is becuase the window motor being a single DC motor, it has only the 2 ends to the motor winding, and to change directions, you must reverse the current. Tinkles' suggestion to apply the 12v directly to the motors is the best thing you can do.

Hey Everyone,

Thanks so much for all your input and suggestions. I spoke to my mechanic and I guess he assumed since the motor and regulator are the same piece, they need to be replaced together. Unbeknownst to him, and thanks to the insight on the board, he realized he could simply drill out the rivets for the motors and just replace the window motors. (this is correct right?).

So now I need to purchase 2 window motors. Does anyone have any recommendations on where to find affordable window motors? Does it matter that it is for the convertible as opposed to the coupe? (because the regulators are different for a coupe/convertible).

Thanks again and I look forward to your suggestions.

- Mike