Expert: Ben Menard - 7/10/2009

Question
1998 Grand Prix. Passenger window dropped in the door. Was able to manually raise and secure it. Found a cable laying in the door. The "button" is still on it. The bottom of the cable is still attached, but I can't see where the upper connection goes. Any help would be appreciated.

Answer
Hello Bruce,

The end of the cable was originally located in the back of horizontal plate  (lifting plate) that the glass is bolted to.  When the end of the cable pulls out of its mounting point on the plate, the mechanism (cable regulator) is  not repairable.

The GM version of the mechanism is quite expensive.  If you contact your local auto parts store you will find an after-market version that is a suitable replacement and much less expensive.  You will be better off if you get one made by "Dorman."  It will come with a lifetime guarantee.

Replacement shouldn't be too difficult for you.  It sounds like you have the mechanical skill to handle it.

1.  lower the glass about 3/4's down and remove the two bolts holding the glass to the lift plate.

2.  slide the glass all the way up and secure it with tape, wedge, etc.

3.  remove two bolts at the top of the regulator, two bolts at the bottom of the regulator, and the three bolts that secure the motor section of the regulator.

4.  disconnect the power wires to the motor.

5.  remove the old regulator from inside the door by tilting the top of the regulator to the left and the bottom of the regulator to the right.  Then slide the regulator right-to-left out of the opening in the door.  You may want to remove the speaker in the lower right corner of the door.  It gives you an opening to put your hand through so you can control things a little better.

Installing the new regulator is just the reverse of the above steps.

One other suggestion:  spray the rubber gaskets (run channel) that the window slides up and down in with spray silicone.  Wet or dry silicone will work.  Cheap is just as good as expensive.  Just don't use anything but silicone.

Good luck with your project.  

Send me a follow up if you have any problems.

Ben ..... the power window guy.