One of the rear window regulators went out a few months ago (2003 TL) and after looking it up and seeing there was procedures for aligning the glass and testing for water leaks, we let the dealer do it which ended up costing around $500.

The other one's just broken today (window doesn't move and there's a loud clicking noise when the switch is pressed).

I see I can get a regulator for $115 online, but I'm still a bit concerned that it might be a hard job to do properly. I'm not so worried about getting it all in place, I'm just worried that it will be really hard to line up so it works smoothly and doesn't leak.

If anyone could give me some advice or point me to a good DIY guide on this I'd really appreciate it. I did find some PDF service manual scans but can't remember where I found them.

Thanks a ton for any help, it'd be awesome to fix this without having to pay the parts markup & labor costs.

 

well, i did mine (RR window) 2 days after i bought the car. theres 1 screw behind a little cover for the inside door handle. slide assembly forward and unhook from behind. theres also another screw for the door panel, after that the panel pops off, not completely, the wires for the window motor switch need to be disconnected. once the door panel if off, remove the white plastic covering the openings in door. might need to remove speaker from door as well. there is now 4 bolts holding the "slide rail" to the inside of door. there are 3 bolts holding the "motor assembly" to the door. while the window is down, you can unbolt it from the whole assembly and take what left of window regulater/motor assemnly out of door. (use caution as these loose metal parts do a number on window tinting) for installation, install the whole new assmbly into door. bolt up window to "slide rail" then bolt "slide rail" to door. bolt up motor assembly to door. hook up wiring, replace plastic covering, speaker, and anything else removed. reconnect wiring to window switch, install door panel, door handle, 2 screws. and you should be all set. theres not much movement/adjustment for the window itself.


BTW, im writing this from memory. my LR broke on me this weekend and i need to get it fixed now too. just need the $$$$ for part to fix. if its needed, when i get around to fixing the other window, ill take pics and update for future reference.

 

Thanks ever so much, that'll be a huge help.

Does the regulator set itself or 'know' when the window is up or down? I was concerned that I might hook it up so the regulator wasn't quite at the top but the window was, and strip the gears out of it.

 

from what ive read/been told, the only one you have to be concerned with on that issue is the "driver side front" because of the "auto" up/down feature.

 

No need to be concerned with that one, as you have to train it top and bottom before the auto up/down will work.

 

Thanks again guys.

So am I right in thinking it doesn't matter what position I install it in (partially up/down), and that it will just close until it senses it's closed and vice versa?

 

How you do get enough slack on the window cable to get it back on the track?