Camray: Power Window Problem.

[mariamarsala]

Car: Toyota Camray 1998.Problem: Window goes up about 2/3 of the way then stops. It starts out going up fine, then about 1/3 of the way up it starts coming out of the channel. Done so far: Went to a glass/window specialty mechanic.

They opened the door and insisted that someone much stronger than me must have have done something to the door because the channel was out of it's tracks so much. (I didn't do anything, nor anyone else do anything -- when I noticed the problem, I didn't play around with the door at all). So he fixed the channel, said the fix would last a long time and didn't know why they channel go off the track as much as it did if I didn't do anything.

--------------
Five days later and about 10 window openings the window would only go up 2/3 of the way again. --------------

What I heard before that happened.1) the window going up but sounding like the glass was hitting felt type paper very strongly. (that was how it sounded to me)2) the window all the way down, and I had to open/close the door (seat belt stuck in the door) but when I closed it it sounded differently than usual. It sounded like the glass was rattling back/forth in the door when I closed it. 3) window wouldn't go up all the way. Before I go back to the shop, my intuition tells me that "something" is pulling the glass off the channel. And that if I fix the channel, the problem will come back -- but this time ruin the new channel.

Any ideas of the "what" can be causing the problem?

[jdmccright]

The window is attached to a bracket that rides on a metal track called a regulator. The bracket is probably plastic and it is likely worn out after rubbing against the metal....there is grease in there to help, but it wears down anyways. There are little cables that the motor uses to pull the window up and down the regulator track...a worn pulley or loose cable can cause the window to tilt and cause binding in the window frame.

Sounds like you need a new window regulator. Never heard of a regulator getting bent...could be alot of hooey...go back and insist they do the job right instead of "jerry-rigging" it or get your money back and find a reputable shop. Good luck!

[mariamarsala]

Thanks. I'll bring your note with me when I go back to them this week. They aren't going to charge me for anything other than parts, should I need them. The work was guararenteed and he said if something just needs adjusting, there would be any charge.

When I spoke to him this weekend, here is what he said:

I'm not well versed on the inner workings of the door, never saw one opened, but I will go see it opened next week. I'll explain the best I can.

I cannot "pull" the window up more than it goes it. Nor can someone stronger than me pull or wiggle it. It will go down all the way though.

Regarding channel/tracks. My error, I should have stuck with the word channel.

On the part of the window that is closest to the mirror (driver side) the channel allows the window to "flow upwards" -- that is where the problem is showing up.


The window is popping out of it's channel on the side of the channel that is closest to the front of the car AND the pressure of it popping out of channel is warping the channel. The glass itself is jumping out of the channel and getting between the felt and metal of the channel, instead of it being protected by the two peices of felt that are between the metal channel.


What he said makes sense about the felt; mostly because the first indication that the problem was coming back was when I raised the window and I heard a strong noise like the window was pressing on the felt.


Well, I hope this explaination helps as I don't know much about car doors, cept to close and open them

[jdmccright]

Your explanation helped alot actually...and I retract my "hooey" comment should the glass repair guy actually see this.

Maybe a human couldn't bend it out of whack but I might guess that the car could have been in an accident in the past (maybe before you owned it?) and the problem had always existed, but now the rubber/felt window seal has worn down enough to cause the window to pop out of the channel.

You could put a new window regulator in, but if the brackets that it bolts to are bent, the window will never sit straight in the track...have them look for signs of damage in the door framing. Also replace the window seal too. Finally, check that the window itself isn't warped. If it was in an accident, someone might have replaced with a cheap knockoff.

[mariamarsala]

Thanks.

I'll bring a version of your note to him tomorrow.

I "carfaxed" the car prior to purchase. Hadn't been in an accident before I purchased it in 2003. However, I was in one, when I teenager drove backwards vs forwards in an SUV. It crushed the hood among other things. Door wasn't touched, but who knows what effect that accident might have had 3 years ago. I'll bring the papers from the detail shop to the glass co, too.

Thanks for your help. I see this is going to cost me a bundle. Any idea of the costs of something like this?

Any parting thoughts?

[jdmccright]

I can't see what a front-end accident would do to misalign the door window either. I'm guessing about $150-200 to fully diagnose & fix it, but could be loose or broken bracket that holds the glass onto the regulator, or missing fasteners. Unless the window stays level while opening/closing, there will be binding as the glass rubs hard against the weatherstripping, which creates wear along the track, etc. Hope this helps!

[mariamarsala]

yes. Your answer was very helpful to me.


car went in, window is fixed for now. he checked everything and made a few minor adjustments. If problem happens again, then he said he'll change the channel; right now be bent it back in place.