My driver side power window motor just crapped out and i hear this is a common problem with these cars.
I would like to avoid this happening again as it is very annoying and took almost forever to get back up and closed. i am just happy it actually closed and did not get stuck with it opened.
Anyways, anyone know of any aftermarket motors? I would prefer to stay away from oem
thanks!
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Where I work:
HP
What I take for Memory and Focus:
Focus Fast
hate to tell ya, but an aftermarket one is no better than OEM. It is common for any car with power windows to need a motor sooner or later. I would go with ethier, as theyre about the same quality, and aftermarket is cheaper. you could go the junkyard route, but im sure you dont wanna do it twice if its bad.
Did I mention I drive a 2000 Lumina now?-----wigm-tuners.org member
hmm I didnt know that
thanks for the heads up, no use paying more if the result is going to be the same!
__________________________________________________________________
Where I work:
HP
What I take for Memory and Focus:
Focus Fast
replacing it is kinda a pain in the ass as well. have you ever done one on a j body?
Did I mention I drive a 2000 Lumina now?-----wigm-tuners.org member
There are reasons why the window motors are as they are. These motors don't switch on and off when the glass reaches it's upper and lower limits. Instead, there are physical stops that halt the motor in it's tracks. This is why you sometimes see or hear the doors torquing and/or flexing when the glass reaches full "up" or "down". This is also why (one reason) the motors and regulators are riveted in. I've seen doors with metal fatigue around the rivet holes and other places caused by this constant flexing (and the stops not being in proper adjustment). It's not too big a deal on coupes and sedans in the "up" direction as the glass simply stops in the window frame when it reaches the limit. It does however bump into a stop at the "down" limit. And the poor convertibles have no window frames to help out and the "up" stops aren't particularly robust, to say the least. So, a more powerful motor would be a double edged sword. That being said, some aftermarket motors I've seen are more powerful, also noisier. For this reason, I prefer OEM motors. There are enough of these cars in the junkyards that motors are common and cheap. Just remember that the one that wore out in your car is likely the same one worn out in the cars you'll find in the yards. If you are a true masochist, you can find a good passenger side or rear door motor (less likely to be worn out than the driver's door). All four motors are the same, but the regulators they're riveted to are all different and changing motors between regulators is not fun. (A first aid kit should be kept close by.) This job ranks right up there on the "undesireable" scale as high as virtually any other j-body job. All this being said, new aftermarket (which usually means Asian knockoff) regulators with motors are commonly found on eBay (and other places online) for all 2 and 4 door applications (except convertibles) very reasonably. Quality varies, but they'll usually work fine (but likely nosier than OEM) and it's less trouble (anguish, torture, insert your own adjective here if you've done this before) than finding and switching just the motors. I have a third gen convertible and I'm currently saving up to buy a new OEM regulator, if there are any left in captivity, and hope to never have to do it again. Take care. - Mark
exactly what i meant, and couldnt have said it better!
Did I mention I drive a 2000 Lumina now?-----wigm-tuners.org member
