Expert: Sean Halliday - 7/13/2009

Question
QUESTION: 2000 vw passat window began to roll up (from all the way down) and then about 8 inches up it fell down into window abruptly (did not break), seems that it lost tension at once and would not roll up. i lifted window back up in place but still no tension and when window control "up" is lifted, motor makes one click. it will go down using motor but will not go back up and i can not regain tension. would this be my motor needing replaced, a regulator issue, or the plastic/metal block broken that is supposed to save the motor when a problem occurs? Thanks.

ANSWER: The regulator is broken.This car uses the cable type and most likely the cable has snapped and tangled up in the mechanism.

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QUESTION: I took door panel off and removed screws from the inner panel (metal sheet in between panel & window with all electronic items attached) but it has a seal. Do I just pull hard and break that seal in order to get behind it to see what's happening with the regulator? There are two round holes in the metal sheet allowing me to see the window and I can tell that the regulator clamps are still attached. I'm sure I will probably have to replace the entire regulator and not just the cable, correct? Since VW probably doesn't sell that replacement part. Thanks.

Answer
The sealer around the sound proof cover will be black and sticky but re -usable.If you are removing the steel plate make sure you have removed all the screws first then pull it off.The regulators are one piece and do not come in individual items such as the cable or plastic bits.Theres no fixing your regulator as i have done many of these,it must be removed completely from the door.This will entail removing the motor and reg complete.The new reg will have the motor or some do not, as it depends how much you spend or where you buy a new one.