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1997 Safari/Astro Window/Door Issues
cartrouble10
Member Posts: 1
My 1997 Astro Van has a problem with the drivers side power window. It used to go up only 2" at a time, not it takes hours to get the window up once it's down. I need to replace the power window motor prior to state inspection. I've taken the inside door handle, paneling, etc off, but I've know idea how to get to the motor or where to even get one. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Once I did that it was just a matter of unpluging the electric cable. I found a used motor at the junk yard for 20 bucks. When I replace it I used screws in place of the rivits so that if it ever happened again it would be a snap.
Mine works great
good luck
I recently pulled the motor out to make sure it wasn't because of a stuck window lift. When I had it out and use the switch at the passenger side I found the motor only worked in one direction - UP. I removed and replaced and reinstalled the lift with the window in the up position.
So I proceeded with narrowing down if I had a switch or wiring problem. I confirmed that the switches work on both sides. There's a wire (blue w/ white stripe) that provides a ground return when the passenger lowers the window or +12V when the driver raises the window. The wire is broken between the two switches. I checked the wire thru the door connections and the wire is good going into the vehicle. The wire is broken somewhere inside the van.
My problem is trying to figure out the route of this wire. I tried to see where the wiring harness comes into the van on both sides and can not locate it. Can someone give me an idea of where the harness on each side routes thru the van? Is it deep inside the dashboard? Does it go up and above the ceiling inside the van?
I may just be better off and wire it so only the passenger can operate the window. But want to make sure I'm not able to fix the wire before I do this modification.
Thanks,
Glenn
Is it just a matter of carefully prying up this panel with a screwdriver to expose the 3 bolts that hold the mirror in place? Thanks a lot, I'd appreciate any help you can give me.
Thanks.
Lesson learned from all this: use jumper leads to test the power window motor to confirm it is bad before changing. Changing out the window motor is quite a painful experience because they are riveted into the door frame. Check the functionality of the window switches too to make sure they are good too.
Lesson learned from all this: use jumper leads to test the power window motor to confirm it is bad before changing. Changing out the window motor is quite a painful experience because they are riveted into the door frame. Check the functionality of the window switches too to make sure they are good too.
1. Power windows went out around for lunch since about 70K miles. At that time, estimates I got to replace the motor was about $300 each side. So it left it alone. Recently while search on web, I saw pair of motors for Astro power windows $50. Wonder how "simple" is it to replace them myself (I'm no expert with cars).
2. Passenger seat the back rest adjustment bar came off from the seat. Now I'm stuck with the bucket seat's back in a single position. Can it be fix or need to replace the whole seat?
3. Some of the radio/cassette button lights (1,2,3,4, ...) is not working anymore, is that another whole sale replacement of the entire radio unit or something can be done to have it fix?
4. There's a very strange problem when running th AC unit. At time (not always) while the unit is running, all of sudden there's no air flow coming out but I can hear the fan is still going. And then it can be 2 to 15 seconds, the air comes back again. The air is cool. When the air flow is cut off, it sometime appears to be when the vehicle is on the uphill run. Although it not always the case. I had the AC unit checked out, and that small vacuum hose leading to/from the resuvior replaced but the problem came back.
Any thoughts, idea or suggestion would be welcome. Thanks in advance.
I'm on my third window motor on the drivers side. If you've never replaced a window motor before, the job may be a bit more than you bargain for depending on your mechanical abilities. On the other hand, it's not brain surgery either. You'll need a special tool to pop the plastic door "clips" out. These clips hold the door panel onto the metal door frame. There are a few screws, torx head if I remember correctly, that also need to be removed. The door regulator and motor are riveted in place from the factory so you'll need to drill the rivets out. A new motor comes with screws and sometimes rivets as well. I have a Haynes repair manual and to be quite honest, it doesn't really give you a very good idea of how involved replacing the motor can be. You will have to rely mostly on your ability to figure it out as you go. The last motor I installed came from e-bay. $20.00. I don't recommend buying a motor from e-bay. This motor barely moves the window. While it's true that I could have returned the motor for another one, the problem is that then you have to wait for a replacement motor to arrive, then you have to do the job a second time. My advice is to try to find a GM dealer that might sell the motor at a reasonable price (good luck). At the very least, try to buy it from a local auto parts store that can provide you with an OEM motor. At least that way, if you get a bad replacement motor, you can take it right back for an exchange... assuming that they didn't have to special order the part in the first place. Before you go out and buy a motor, you should make sure that the problem is not something like a bad switch or a bad ground as explained in earlier posts on this thread. Wish you lived in my neck of the woods-- I'd do both sides for you for half of what your estimate came to. One last thing, I recommend you buy just one motor if you think you are going to attempt this repair. That way, your only out the money for the one motor in case you get in too deep. Hope this is helpful advice and I wish you good luck if you do decide to have a go at it.
Steve
That's a really good advise. If I have to get special tools and drill out in order to get parts out, it sounds like I should be prepare to have an alternative transportation in case I'm stuck half way on the job. :-( That happened to me once when I was trying to replace the water pump many years ago on the 79 Toyota.
I might have to stuck with inoperable power windows (as I did for the pass 100K) unless I can find someone to replace it at a much reasonable cost.
It sounds like you may have either a stripped gear, or a shot in the motor. I would try to locate a used window motor and replace it. not sure where you are, but around here you can get them all day long for around 30 bucks used.
They are not that hard to change out, first time may have to drill out the rivets, and replace them with some self tapping metal screws.
2hawks
I haven't had to replace that one yet (crossing fingers), but you should be able to find one at most junk yards.
2hawks
ps. I found a used motor at the junk yard for 20 bucks and it wasn't that hard to replace.