Thread: Power window alignment?

I didn't know which forum to put this in...

Anyway, when I got the car back in July I knew about a power window problem on the passenger side (coupe!)

I took the door panel apart and when the window rolls up it really struggles about halfway up the window. I figured the regulator was going so I ordered a new one and put it in... same problem.

When changing the regulator I noticed the one mounting point of the glass to the back of the car (i.e. close to the door latch) had pulled the nut out of the plastic piece mounted to the glass. I didn't notice this before when troubleshooting.

So, I removed both bolts and slid the window up and down with my hands in the track = no resistance.

I could only hook up the forwardmost bolt and I noticed the reason why the nut popped out of its casting: as the window regulator goes up, the glass moves away from the regulator towards the outside of the car. This will obviously put tremendous strain on that nut that looks to be plasticwelded or glued somehow into the plastic tab on the window itself. Out of curiousity, I checked the driver's side window and it doesn't do this (I had the panel off to fix a broken side mirror on that door.)

So there is obviously something way out of alignment for that window wanting to move like 3/8" - 1/2" away from the regulator. The thing is, I don't see any obvious adjustments to fix the glass alignment problems.

Has anyone seen a problem like this and know how to fix it?

Well, I dismantled the door more so I could see both tracks. As it turns out the plastic clip on the glass itself has blown out and they're basically superglued to the glass, replacement is near impossible without breaking the glass. Because of that broken clip the window tilts way forward when lowering the glass (the window corner at the back by the B-pillar almost completely comes out of the track.)

I found out if I shove the glass back into the track by the B-pillar the glass goes up and down fine. I timed it, the driver door windows rolls up in about 5 seconds, and if I manually hold the glass in the right spot until near the top it rolls up in about 6 seconds.

Took pics to a glass shop and was told yes the clip is blown out, happens a lot on older cars. Apparently they get brittle and just explode one day like mine did. They can't repair it though as the glass will most definitely break if they try to remove the broken clip. He's going to see if a new glass piece is still available for my coupe passenger door and get back to me tomorrow, he said it'll probably be around $300 in our Canadian peso. That's a lot cheaper than getting the air conditioner fixed though.

I tried a couple of wreckers and dang it they only have 4 door Grand Prixs.

As they say a picture or is worth a thousand words.

I took a picture of the broken clips (I found out both of the window clips are broken...)

I found a picture online of the clips and the nut is supposed to be enclosed and the ones in my door aren't and as such they pop out of the clips.





This is a picture of what they're supposed to look like: FD4MM 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix Front Door Window Glass Buttom Attachment Channel Clips W/ Tips - Walmart.com - Walmart.com

I found a replacement glass. However the shipping for it is way more than the glass itself as it's coming from a different province! But at least I found one...

I got the replacement glass today. I found out that it's actually a new piece of glass! Slid it in, put my dang door back together and the window works fine now.