Was happily driving along with the windows up and AC on, and my window dramatically just dropped down. I can hear the motor working but it won’t go go.

any tips on where to start and on how to non destructively remove the door card and access the window mechanism.?

 

The door card on a pre facelift anyway, is removed as follows:

• Undo the two chrome screws holding the courtesy light chrome striker plate
• Underneath the pocket is a small screw to be undone - look carefully as there may be one more in the carpet covering
• The armrest/pull handle has a chrome bezel where it attaches to the door, this must be eased back along the handle and it will reveal a bolt that must be undone. It might need starting with a small lever to get it moving as it is slightly clipped in place
• Then with a plastic trim tool - basically a flat plastic lever to protect the paint and trim - go round the door car starting at the base of the window at the front of the door working down, along and up to the base of the window at the other end, and lever out the trim clips from the metal part of the door.
• Once this is done the card will be free except for the part along the base of the window. The card needs a sharp upward jolt and it will come up and away from the window bottom edge. Note that there is also a metal clip level with the armrest centre that this jolt also disengages from the door interior metal. getting this back as part of the refitting is important, otherwise the card flaps about when you shut the door using the armrest.

 

Door panel removal

This photo might help. It's a facelift, but I gather essentially the same inside. The two metal clips in the middle of the panel slot into the slot in the middle of the door. There are also two metal clips at the top that slip into the indented areas at the top of the door. These can be tricky to align when replacing the door. And watch the various electrical cords when replacing as well.
Also, take care when easing that chrome bezel back, as it can scuff the leather.

 

thanks Greg these instructions were spot on and very helpful.

i did manage to get it all apart and discovered that the main toothed gear that meshes with the teeth on the arm that raises the window had worked its way off the toothed spindle from the motor. Pulled it all apart and put it back together and refitted and it all works.

if anyone else is wanting to get the window motor out here are a couple of pics. If you undo all of the outside screw on the black plate that the mechanism is bolted to, and the two bottom screws but not the top ones on the internal door handle. And then undo one bolt (I got lucky starting with this one by accident) that goes through a sleeve in the door and bolts to the outer door skin, the whole plate and motor can be worked out of the door together. One the plate is loose you need to move the whole assembly towards the back of the door onto the wheel on the end of the raising arm can be freed from the end of the runner attached to the bottom of the glass, and then you can work it all out towards the front of the door again.

 

Hello Andrew

Bit off topic

If you haven't already reinstated your door panel - might pay to have a quick look at your central locking motor.

Mine would lock - but not unlock - turned out the innings of the motor had started moving towards the outer. Which explained why it would lock - but not unlock. You can see it, inspect it with the door trim off, but to replace it is a bit more difficult (window needs to come out)

Cheers
Steve

The little cooper (?) wire connecting to the red wire is supposed to be inside the housing. Also - looks like it was repaired in the past

 

Thanks Steve, it is back now, but good to know for the future, thank you.