R230 SL Drivers rear window not working... How to Replace??

[Robjit]

The drivers rear side window has stopped working on my SL and now I can't drop the roof.

Ive bought a replacement window motor so no I need to know how to get it out...

How do I get to the window motor now the roof doesn't go down?

Many thanks

 

[LostKiwi]

Remove the inner paneling and the window and motor etc are easily accessible.

 

[Robjit]

Remove the inner paneling and the window and motor etc are easily accessible.

The smaller rear side window seems to behind a metal panel... Is there some clear instructions on how to do it?

 

[Uncle Benz]

These are a nightmare. It’s usually caused by a blocked drain the bottom of the window “bucket” and the motor gets submerged. The regulator is held in by three (iirc) nuts, hidden behind grommets in the panel you are already looking at. I’ve never got one out with the window up though. In the past I’ve had to work through the slot with the trim removed, remove four tiny screws that hold the motor cover in place and lower the window by manually turning the armature.

 

[Robjit]

These are a nightmare. It’s usually caused by a blocked drain the bottom of the window “bucket” and the motor gets submerged. The regulator is held in by three (iirc) nuts, hidden behind grommets in the panel you are already looking at. I’ve never got one out with the window up though. In the past I’ve had to work through the slot with the trim removed, remove four tiny screws that hold the motor cover in place and lower the window by manually turning the armature.

That sounds like a right faff.... So where do I start? And how do you manually wind it down? Can I still do it with the roof up??

 

[Uncle Benz]

That sounds like a right faff.... So where do I start? And how do you manually wind it down? Can I still do it with the roof up??

It is a right faff. I found it very difficult, but I managed. Others might have a better method so wait a while, see if anyone else comments

 

[Uncle Benz]

Here is a video, shows you a bit of it

 

[Robjit]

Here is a video, shows you a bit of it

Yes I've seen that vid... Red car with red leather??? It seems easier with the roof out the way but as mine doesn't move, I'm guessing the only way is as you suggested by manually lowering the glass by opening the motor... So that's the bit I think il need assistance on.

 

[Uncle Benz]

Or open the roof manually…….

 

[Robjit]

Or open the roof manually…….

I have no idea how to do that??

 

[Robjit]

OK so as we have a few days of clear weather I'm about yo attempt this...

According to uncle benz, you can access the two bolts holding the mechanism in place by removing the pieces of sticky felt covering the holes, which I see and understand..

What I don't get is how people then get to the point of getting the mechanism and motor out to replace it if I have been unable to remove the top trim and metal panel which you unscrew and remove when the roofs down and would normally allow access to the whole mechanism to get it out??

My roof won't come downn due to the stuck window and no one seems to be able to advise how you manually bring the roof down??

 

[Robjit]

Fixed!!!!!

Well that has to be the fiddliest faff I have ever seen in a car....

A big thanks to uncle benz on this and the guys vid on you tube... In essence, you CAN take it apart with the roof still up - but it is very difficult...the you tube vid helps for reference... The hardest screw to remove if the roof is up is the last gold torx where there are 7 torx holding the metal cover on... It is quite tight in the corner so best done with an Allen key torx..

I had all the right tools and the only other issue I hit was reaching the torx screw on the window motor next to the wiring plug... My socket extension was too fat to fit and ideally you need two long extender bars to hit it right as the mechanism gets in the way..

I used the thinner one and despite locking it all together with tape, the torx bit dropped out so I had to then bend the top of the mechanism up to give clearance for the larger socket extender, then managed to free off the final torx for the motor...

The next mission is then getting the motor casing and spindle off... You'll be cursing for a while - in the end I crow barred it to free it off.

Once off the window can be pushed down... The car then recognised this and I was able to lower the roof electronically for better access.

The drainage holes were completely blocked and the water was near the top.... I cleaned out the holes to allow the water to drain... Then hosed it all out to get rid of any residue that could block it again and fed wire through the drain holes to ensure they were completely clean to allow drainage...

Put it all back together and I can then work on the next few items...

 

[Uncle Benz]

Nice work sunshine! I bet your hands look like you’ve had a cuddle with Freddy Kruger

 

[Uncle Benz]

The amount of water is quite shocking

 

[Robjit]

My back is hurting more than anything due to being hunched in the rear of the car trying to free everything off..

I was also lucky as I've heard of people having to replace the whole mechanism due to it being submerged and the cables rusting and snapping as well as the motor due to being submerged in water, so I managed to get away with using a replacement motor on my existing mechsnism using a second hand motor..just as well as I couldn't find any complete mechanisms for the drivers side in the uk and all the ones in Europe were over 100 quid plus extortionate dilivery (60 quid minimum) plus vat added on top now we've left the EU common market ffs.

I bought my window motor from a breaker..

TOTAL cost money wise : 20 quid

Hours taken which il never get back : 3.5 hours

Pain in my back : last a day or so

Pain in the arse : permanent during vehicle ownership

 

[Robjit]

Il say this too - there's not enough money anyone can pay me to do that job of motor removal after failure again - it was horrendous!!

 

[Robjit]

The amount of water is quite shocking

I think I will take apart the passenger side and ensure the drain holes are cleared on that side too - rather do that preventative measure than this ballache

 

[Uncle Benz]

Removing the motor unit and gearbox completely was impressive. I’m really impressed you managed that! As I said before, I’ve removed the four small screws and pulled the metal cover off the armature and then rotated it by hand to lower the glass. You did well!!

 

[mioba]

I think I will take apart the passenger side and ensure the drain holes are cleared on that side too - rather do that preventative measure than this ballache

i was going to mention that. Good stuff.

 

[Robjit]

Removing the motor unit and gearbox completely was impressive. I’m really impressed you managed that! As I said before, I’ve removed the four small screws and pulled the metal cover off the armature and then rotated it by hand to lower the glass. You did well!!

I'm impressed I didn't lose my temper and just break the glass!

Though I am losing my patience trying to figure out what has stopped working in the bose system loop as I still have no sound..