window grinding gears

[gmhowe]

OK so now going out today was letting the passenger side window down and it stopped 1/2 way. tried putting it up and just hearing gear grinding. is it the "ribbon" or the regulator itself. and how much of a pain is it to replace tither???seems like all I ever do is work on this thing.

 

[ZRXMAX]

OK so now going out today was letting the passenger side window down and it stopped 1/2 way. tried putting it up and just hearing gear grinding. is it the "ribbon" or the regulator itself. and how much of a pain is it to replace tither???seems like all I ever do is work on this thing.

You didn't say what year your car is... so... I assume it is an early C4 with the ribbon type window drive... Sounds like a few teeth are missing...
You have to remove the assembly from the car... Unbolt the window and remove it... then unbolt the window mechanism and remove that... Drill out the top 2 rivets on the guide bar... remove the ribbon... Pick up some generic replacement ribbons at Napa... or... wherever... Measure the ribbon for the required travel on the guide... ( don't cut it to short ) Install ribbon... I use a 12 volt battery to get the required movement of the motor and ribbon so I can get it all adjusted for assembly... I simply touch the motor contacts with 12 volts to energize the motor for the movement needed... You might need an extra hand to help you feed it onto the guide bar... Once your satisfied with the ribbon lenth... The ribbon will run from just below the motor gear to the top of the guide... Rivet the ribbon to the guide at the top ( 2 holes are there ) Then pop rivet the top end of the guide to the framework... Install the mechanism, then the window...
Hope this helps... the 1st time is the hardest !
Good luck

 

[gmhowe]

Sorry its a 1985 coupe.

 

[ZRXMAX]

Sorry its a 1985 coupe.

No problem on the year... I think they are the same... I gave away the manual that had that information... Just pull the door panel and look inside... do you see a ribbon or a scissors mechanism for lifting the window?

 

[gmhowe]

it is the actuator... $300 part replacement. ouch

 

[dzierke]

it is the actuator... $300 part replacement. ouch

Did you pull the regulator out? A dealer will try to sell you the full assembly if they can convince you that it's the only way to fix the problem. Chevy will also tell you that it's hit or miss on getting a replacement ribbon. Go to any Dodge dealership or Napa and ask for window regulator tape for a Dodge Caravan. I trimmed it to fit. Works perfectly!

ZRXMAX gave great directions on how to install it.

 

[gmhowe]

didn't go to a dealer but to a shop I have used before, and they showed me the regulator and it was shot. The ribbon actually looked ok, but I bought the car used and there is no telling what condition things like that are in, I always noticed that the side that went bad was always 1/2 speed of the other one

 

[ZRXMAX]

didn't go to a dealer but to a shop I have used before, and they showed me the regulator and it was shot. The ribbon actually looked ok, but I bought the car used and there is no telling what condition things like that are in, I always noticed that the side that went bad was always 1/2 speed of the other one

That slow speed might be from a weak motor or bad / worn contact inside the switch... You can replace it or look for a newer style salvaged unit as an upgrade... then you won't have a ribbon ever again to deal with...
Good Luck

 

[WhalePirot]

That slow speed might be from a weak motor or bad / worn contact inside the switch...

A good cleaning and renewed lube will also help.

 

[dzierke]

A good cleaning and renewed lube will also help.

I agree,

Mine where running slow until I cleaned out every guide and track and installed a new tape drive and fresh lube. When you have it on a work bench, throw 12 volts from a good battery. Then you will really know if the electric motor is bad. Did the repair shop run that test in front of you? These days, no one wants to repair anything. It's all about replacing parts. Not repairing them.

I'm not about to say that both my windows go up and down like they did when they where new. They did cost me only $30 a side to do though. That was 4 years ago and they still work fine. I think that a replacement motor cost about $70 and it too is held in by 2 or 3 rivets.

 

[3dale1]

I'm going though the same exact thing with an 85 I just bought. Window only goes halfway up and down, then grinds. Turns out the ribbon was broken in half, not chewed up. This is the first time I've had to take the window mechanism apart; it's not hard, just time consuming and requires patience. Joe

 

[RRR731]

Sounds like the ribbon broke. My window was going 3/4th of the way up and then stopping. I just replaced the ribbon yesterday afternoon and had never done it before. It took about 4 hours with most of the work getting the door apart. I used a link that I found in this forum that showed step by step instructions and pictures. I actually bought a Chrysler ribbon that HELP sells and trimmed it down and it works fine.