1998 Window Regulator/Motor Replacement

[clodbuster]

Can anyone point me to some good instructions ( here on the forum or other)for replacing my regulator and motor on my 98 Camry. The window is all the way down and I need to get it fixed.

I've done a lot of searches and didn't find anything. If I've totally missed something I apologize.

Thanks for any help.

[Kep]

There are two DIYs about getting the door panel off:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t145402.html

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=213774

There are a lot of hits if you search for "window regulator"

It's pretty straight forward.

Kep

[El Tano]

I just took mine appart yesterday. Follow those DIY, just make sure to put tape on the tips of the screwdrivers and make sure to gently push the little lock on the side of the window's, door lock button panel so it doesn't brake..Take your time and be patient...

Good luck

[clodbuster]

Well, let’s just say I have the door panel off... I won’t get into all that. According to what I’ve read the first thing to do is remove the two glass channel mount bolts but, the window is all the way down and so the bolt closest to the door hinge is well below the service hole. How do I get the window to move up? Any advise?
And thanks for the replies so far.

[clodbuster]

Anybody?

[clodbuster]

I got the motor/regulator out today. I ended up getting to the bolt through the speaker hole, it was slow going but it worked. When I got it out I tested it again using a couple of leads just like I did while it was still in the door and what do you know... it worked. Not sure why it didn’t work in the door. So, I thought it was probably the switch, but when I used the switch it still worked. Maybe the motor was just jammed/stuck? I had cleaned and checked the connections before anything else. Who knows?

Now I just have to wait on the door handle I ordered to replace the one I broke getting the door panel off. And yes, I used the instructions from a DYI thread but, I still managed to break it.

I’m also going to replace the front speakers while I have the one door panel off already, they needed to be replaced anyway. Any recommendations on speakers that would be a good replacement for the stock system. I don’t want to have to modify anything.

I believe it’s the premium system with the tweeters that are attached by a little bracket (where the mirrors are) behind snap on grills. <if that helps>

[dc_98_cam]

You might want to consider replacing the motor/regulator with a newer one ... salvage maybe ... The motor might have a lot of hours on it .... possibly a lot of wear on the carbon brushes ... which just sort of grind down over the years. Could also be some sort of lubrication or wear problem with the regulator.
... Alternatively, maybe the present problem is just insufficient lubrication or something jamming the tracks.

[clodbuster]

Thanks for replying dc_98_cam. Just going ahead and replacing it is probably not a bad idea but, the car is really low mileage (63,000) and it seems to be working real smooth. I did lubricate it real good in all the appropriate places with multi-purpose white lithium grease (looks like that’s what it was originally lubricated with) before reinstalling. And now that I know exactly what it takes to replace it I’ll just see how it holds up. I might wish I had if it sticks at a real inappropriate time.
Any ideas on some speakers that would be a quick and easy swap?

[BenScott]

FYI - I just went through the same thing with the drivers rear door. Mine is a 2001 and from what I've seen, window motors going out is not uncommon. I ordered an aftermarket regulator/motor for about $80 on Ebay. I also found a very helpful 99 Camry service manual on thepiratebay.org . When I got mine apart, I noticed that the aftermarket regulator seemed more flimsy than the factory. Aftermarkets being what they are, I decided to just swap out motors and clean/lube the old regulator. Only one mounting hole on the aftermarket motor did not line up exactly right and I just drilled out the old hole to fit. I also had to swap the wires in the aftermarket motor connector because the window was going up when I pushed the switch down and vice versa. Got everything back together and the whole thing works great.

As with most everything, it is only hard the first time. Also, keep some superglue or plastic adhesive handy for the little trim pieces you might break. Hope your solution works, but I've got a feeling you'll be replacing the window motor before long.

[BenScott]

By the way, the service manual on thepiratebay is courtesy of DrXenon...