Expert: Ben Menard - 5/6/2011

Question
2005 Hyundai Elantra. Took the car in for a timing belt change - got the car back with a faulty driver's side window mechanism. Window went down just fine. Coming up presented a problem. motor sounds like it's working, only the glass just vibrates inside the door, then rattles when you open and close the door. took it back to the place where the timing belt was changed. they glued something inside the door and got it to working again for about a week. But this morning i put the window down and it did it again. please help. i don't want to go back there.

Answer
Hello Eleni,

I can't be 100% sure what is causing the problem you describe.  The window mechanism in your Elantra is fairly reliable so I have seen a similar problem only once or twice.  In both those cases, the problem was a broken glass mounting bracket.  Let me give you a little background explanation before I suggest a solution.

The mechanism that moves the window is call a regulator. The glass is attached to the regulator with two small bolts.  The bolts screw into two plastic brackets that are glued to the bottom edge of the glass.  Sometimes one or both of the glass brackets can come unglued or even break off.  When this happens, the regulator can't move the glass properly.

The problem can be solved by installing a new glass bracket or by installing a new/used piece of glass that includes the good glass brackets.  I suggest you find two or three local auto glass companies that are rated A+ by your local Better Business Bureau.  Then discuss the problem with each of them and work with the company that seems most knowledgeable and is willing to work with you at a reasonable price.

Feel free to send a follow up question if you have any other issues.

Ben .... the power window guy