Power Window broken - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

nash · 02-10-2004, 05:43 PM

I had to lower the driver's side window all the way down today and I can't get it back up. I think I can hear the motor turning but the window (I can reach in and feel the top of it) isn't budging. Any idea what's broken and how much it costs to fix? It's a 97 or 98 Dodge Caravan. TIA!

shakran · 02-10-2004, 06:22 PM

sheesh, it could be a LOT of things. The motor shaft might have broken. A gear might be stripped. The window could be out of its track. Ice could have gotten down there and is jamming something. . . .you'll pretty much have to pop the door cover and take a look. Fortunately for you, it's not all that hard. Just remove every screw you see on the door panel and gently pull it away at the bottom and up at the top, and you'll have it off.

Peryn · 02-10-2004, 11:29 PM

Yeah, could be the track stripped out or broke. We had a 90 Grand Caravan, and that happened once or twice...oddly enough, it only happened on drivers side only. Could be something else. I know on my jeep i cant roll my drivers window down all the way, or it will click when i move the handle, but wont go up unless i reach under the door panel and give it a little start. You really will need to pull the panel and see what going on. Could be a cheap fix, most likely wont be too bad.

james t kirk · 02-11-2004, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shakran
sheesh, it could be a LOT of things. The motor shaft might have broken. A gear might be stripped. The window could be out of its track. Ice could have gotten down there and is jamming something. . . .you'll pretty much have to pop the door cover and take a look. Fortunately for you, it's not all that hard. Just remove every screw you see on the door panel and gently pull it away at the bottom and up at the top, and you'll have it off.

Watch for hidden screws too.

My car has this red light in the door.

To remove the door panel, you MUST remove the red light and there is a screw behind the light.

I had to get my door panel off once and couldn't for the life of me find that screw. Practically tore the door off before i figured it out.

In my case you remove about 3 screws then lift up on the entire door panel. The door panel employs large permanent plastic hooks that hook into slots on the metal frame of the door.

Moonduck · 02-13-2004, 04:34 PM

If it is a Ford, the a strong possible is a blown elastomer. Ford Elastomers seem to self-destruct after about 12 years or so. I've taken apart and bodged about 6 Ford power window motors in various cars. You can remove the elastomer from the equation by epoxying it or screwing it to the shaft depending on model. Or you can remove the wasted shreds of your elastomer (if you are like me) and just permanently affix actuator to shaft.

In the future, tell us what year, make, and model vehicle you have. Makes it easier to answer questions.

iamnormal · 02-14-2004, 03:32 PM

Our Chrysler Town&Country power window had broken. It was the steel cable came off the motor drum then broke.
The replacement part had the motor, steel cable and window track. It cost around $150 if i remember right.

nash · 02-15-2004, 08:22 PM

Maybe I'm blind but I don't see any screws for the door panel. I think I have to pry the panel off according to this site: http://www.a1electric.com/caravan.htm

I don't know where the hooks would be or what tool to use. Anyone done this before?

02-10-2004, 05:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
nash Psycho	Power Window broken I had to lower the driver's side window all the way down today and I can't get it back up. I think I can hear the motor turning but the window (I can reach in and feel the top of it) isn't budging. Any idea what's broken and how much it costs to fix? It's a 97 or 98 Dodge Caravan. TIA!

02-10-2004, 11:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
Peryn Junkie Location: San Diego, CA.	Yeah, could be the track stripped out or broke. We had a 90 Grand Caravan, and that happened once or twice...oddly enough, it only happened on drivers side only. Could be something else. I know on my jeep i cant roll my drivers window down all the way, or it will click when i move the handle, but wont go up unless i reach under the door panel and give it a little start. You really will need to pull the panel and see what going on. Could be a cheap fix, most likely wont be too bad. __________________ Dont cry kid, It's not your fault you suck.

02-10-2004, 06:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	sheesh, it could be a LOT of things. The motor shaft might have broken. A gear might be stripped. The window could be out of its track. Ice could have gotten down there and is jamming something. . . .you'll pretty much have to pop the door cover and take a look. Fortunately for you, it's not all that hard. Just remove every screw you see on the door panel and gently pull it away at the bottom and up at the top, and you'll have it off.

02-13-2004, 04:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Moonduck Junkie Location: SE USA	If it is a Ford, the a strong possible is a blown elastomer. Ford Elastomers seem to self-destruct after about 12 years or so. I've taken apart and bodged about 6 Ford power window motors in various cars. You can remove the elastomer from the equation by epoxying it or screwing it to the shaft depending on model. Or you can remove the wasted shreds of your elastomer (if you are like me) and just permanently affix actuator to shaft. In the future, tell us what year, make, and model vehicle you have. Makes it easier to answer questions.

02-14-2004, 03:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
iamnormal Addict Location: In the id	Our Chrysler Town&Country power window had broken. It was the steel cable came off the motor drum then broke. The replacement part had the motor, steel cable and window track. It cost around $150 if i remember right.

02-15-2004, 08:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
nash Psycho	Maybe I'm blind but I don't see any screws for the door panel. I think I have to pry the panel off according to this site: http://www.a1electric.com/caravan.htm I don't know where the hooks would be or what tool to use. Anyone done this before?