vito_ip14

My Acura 2000 3.2 TL has a broken passenger side front window regulator that needs to be replaced. My auto shop was able to confirm this, although given how old my car is and the cost of replacement at the shop, it might be easier to DIY by scavenging one off of a same model car at a junkyard.

I've looked at a couple DIY articles and videos but a question for anyone who has experience in doing this - is it possible to remove the regulator and motor assembly without power to the car?

shows that if the regulator is stuck, you can cut the cable so that the steel plate (i.e. the window lift, the part that is mounted to the window with 2 bolts) can slide freely on the track. This is necessary so that we can access the bolts on the steel mounting plate through two holes on the inside door panel if the motor is frozen.

However, I'm hoping to remove the regulator without cutting the cable because I need to use that regulator as a replacement for my car.

Is there a way to access the bolts on the steel mounting plate if you do not have power to the car (and do not wish to cut the cable on the regulator/motor assembly)?

thelastaspec

just bring a 12v battery

vito_ip14

You're right in that this is the easiest option but the yard has strict rules about letting us bring a battery in there unfortunately...

thelastaspec

bring a impact driver, two alligator clips. you could discreetly power the window using the impact driver battery.

vito_ip14

Turns out the easiest way to do this with a junkyard vehicle is to just smash the window so you can pull the whole regulator through the hole in the bottom of the door panel! Thanks all for responses.

MilwaukeeDave

iTrader: (3)

So can't bring battery but can smash window?? Glass is a $$ item in junk cars.

thoiboi

I was gonna suggest to just smash the window too


I doubt it was "allowed" but... Oh well