Expert: Sean Halliday - 9/18/2008

Question
I am having a problem with the drivers side window. I have checked into replacement of the moter and it does not fit the characteristics of a burnt motor. The window goes down and occasionally back up. In the colder weather the window does not go up but, the auto-window down feature works as well as the slowly bringing down the window. Could this be a ground wire in the controls themselves or is it a problem in the motor ground? Another problem I am having is that the car seems eat spark plugs. 2 years ago there was a full tune-up done on the car and I found that the coil pack needed to be replaced. There is about 140k on the car now and it has a new transmition, tune-up parts, and new cats. Is this normal for a Subaru? Also the spark plugs seem to be misfiring again and within the last 3000 miles I replaced the wires and plugs again. Is there something that I am missing?????

Answer
The window issue is the switch and not the motor if it goes up and down ok.If you test the motor first by removing the door panel,you will see which.With power to the terminals,it should go all the way up and all the way down as normal and if not then the motor is faulty.As for the misfire,i dont know what plugs you are using but NGK are best for this car.It depends on what parts were used and if they were the cheap brand.Its not normal for plugs and wires to be replaced after 3000 miles.When you say the transmission was replaced,and all the other problems(cats,wires,plugs,coils)it seems like you have a bad buy.Sometimes you get a good car and sometimes not so good.