Driver window inop

[michael lang]

My car's left window has become stuck in the up position so I did a search on the forum of what to look for. I have removed the left door panel to gain access to the window motor. I have determined that the window motor has shorted out. My questions:

1. The Bentley manual instructs to lower the window 1/2 way down before removal of the regulator. If the window is stuck in the up position, how do you lower the window?

2. Is it possible to gain access to and replace the window motor without removing the regulator?

Thanks in advance

[Dpmulvan]

Are you sure it's the motor and not the switch? I believe you can remove motor through speaker opening without removing regulator. I would also exam regulator for broken pivot spring as well (common issue).

[88911coupe]

Use a meter to test the switch to see if its getting power correctly, you can also see whether the switch is functinoing. To get the window down use a 5mm(?) hex wrench inserted into the opening behind the tweeter in the upper door panel. There's a picture in the owners manual. I believe Porsche has a special part but a long hex wrench works perfectly. As the prior post stated make sure its not the switch...they are notorious for failing. Note that I spent months tracking down a window issue only to find out it was a kinked/broken wire that would make sporadic contact. Drove me nuts till I finally figured it out...good luck and there are a LOT of excellent "my window won't work" posts with detailed diagrams and pics.
Just remembered...my window will get "stuck" closed and using the hex wrench breaks it free. When this happens I can hear a very faint click when I try to open the window, which tells me there's power but the window is jammed closed. Not sure why this happens but it does it once or twice a year.

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

Are you sure it's the motor and not the switch? I believe you can remove motor through speaker opening without removing regulator. I would also exam regulator for broken pivot spring as well (common issue).

^^^^^
Correct.

[wnsolomon]

+1 to all the advice for checking the switches. Just swap 'em out and see if that makes a difference. The motor can indeed be removed without removing the regulator and re-install is pretty easy. I was able to check for the broken pivot spring with a mirror. Also worth searching the posts for "while you're in there" projects while you have the door apart...

[CCM911]

Before you get in too deep, try pushing down on the window while holding the switch down. Mine stuck a few years back, and we just pushed it down, and the motor started to work again. My tech daid that sometimes they land on a bad section with no continuity.

I know this is not a technical answer, but it worked for me.

Best of luck.

[michael lang]

Guys, thanks very much for the input. Before I posted about the window motor I did check the switches to, if anything, eliminate them from the list of failed items. Then I inspected the wiring harness (it amazes me every time I tear into my car how much stuff Porsche jammed in there during the assembly process) as much as I could. The next thing was the motor which I believe is most likely. I will take the vapor shield all the way off and go through the speaker hole to try for access. I will report back what success I have in removing the motor. Thanks for the ideas, they will be helpful.

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Hope you're able to get this figured out without too much stress. I posted our window regulator/motor article for some DIY help if needed: Porsche 911 Window Regulator and Motor Replacement | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article. Good luck!

[michael lang]

Success and I didn't even need to replace any parts. When I took a closer look at how to get the motor out I found when the window raised up the teeth on the regulator had jammed against the teeth on the motor spool so it essentially locked the motor in place. I got it unlocked by relieving the pressure at the motor/regulator by loosening the regulator mounting screws. Once I got the window raising/lowering again I lubed the bejesus out of that joint.