Window (regulator) has too much play

[ninsei]

Hi. I noticed when I open/close the passenger side door, the window doesn't automatically go up/down as much as it should (this causes the door to be hard to close all the way). If I grab the top of the window, I can pull it up or down about an inch (doesn't move at all on the driver's side). Now, I thought it would just be the clips holding the bottom of the window that would be loose. I removed the door trim and have access to the clips and they are on tight. But the whole window regulator system (cable) has about an inch of play if I grab the window and move it up and down. Any help is appreciated.

[1schoir]

Hi. I noticed when I open/close the passenger side door, the window doesn't automatically go up/down as much as it should (this causes the door to be hard to close all the way). If I grab the top of the window, I can pull it up or down about an inch (doesn't move at all on the driver's side). Now, I thought it would just be the clips holding the bottom of the window that would be loose. I removed the door trim and have access to the clips and they are on tight. But the whole window regulator system (cable) has about an inch of play if I grab the window and move it up and down. Any help is appreciated.

The symptoms on your passenger window are caused by a faulty or failing window regulator. One of three things has happened: either the cable has stretched, or it is frayed or one of the plastic sleeves that helps to hold the cable taut has cracked or broken apart.

The solution for most is to replace the window regulator assembly. Now that you have the door panel off, it's an easy DIY.

If your problem is the first or the third mentioned above, there is a guy on 986forum.com that has devised an ingenious way to repair the problem(posted there within the last 6 months, IIRC). He installed a bicycle brake adjuster inline and was able to re-establish the correct tension on the cable. Here is where it was previously discussed on RennTech: http://www.renntech....__1#entry185749

If you are able to repair it with the bicycle brake adjuster, please take pics as the original 986forum post was not very detailed.

Regards, Maurice.

Edited November 12, 2010 by 1schoir

[ninsei]

Thx so much. I'll first try that cable tie thing (near the spring) to increase tension.

[ninsei]

Ok, I used cable ties as spacers in three locations and that seems to have fixed it for now. The three are just below the two green thingies where the cables go into the two bottom regulator brackets and the other was at the top of the spring. That increased the tension enough. Thx so much.