I need to replace the drivers side power window motor/regulator. I have taken the door panel off and the cables are shot. The window is in the UP position and I'm unsure how to get the regulator lowered to the point that I can get to the window bolts. Any help would be appreciated!

 

I will move this to the 2nd Generation Dakota Sub-Forum.

 

If you have the cable operated regulator, the window should be held to the top track of the regulator with these odd-looking metal clips. They look kind of like a long u-shaped paper clip, the metal clip is about the same gauge as a paper clip and is a gold-yellow color. The clips go around a round stob on the bottom of the window, one at each lower corner of the window. You just use a pick tool or flat head screw driver to remove the clips by pulling the inside end of each one toward the other clip. Pull the left one to the right and right one to the left. Then push the stobs on bottom edge of the window out of their holes in the regulator track.

If the regulator will work just enough so you can goose the window down, try hitting the motor with a hammer, operate the switch and see if the window will come down far enough to see the clips through some of the holes in the door. If it won't come down at all you can try pushing the window down by hand so you can see to remove the retainer clips. If you can't move it by hand, you will have to reach up inside the door and get to the clips by feel. Use a good flashlight and pull the inside window seal off the door to get a better look.

Once the clips are removed you can slide the window back up all the way and duct tape it into place to keep it from falling. There is a tool you can buy that is a pair of big suction cups with a cable connecting them, it does the same thing, hold the window up while you remove and replace the regulator.

Unplug the motor, remove the nuts and bolts holding the regulator and motor to the door, collapse it inside the door cavity and remove it from the door through the large access hole in the left or right side (depending on which door you are working on) of the door itself. Then the trick is to get the new regulator back into the door through the same access hole. Open it up and bolt it into place loosely, slide the window back down into the top side of the new regulator and reinstall the retainer clips. If you bought a new factory Dodge regulator assembly it will have new clips with it. Otherwise just re-use the old retainer clips. Then tighten down all the nuts and bolts for the regulator assembly.

Jimmy

 

Thanks, I understand what you are describing. The window is totally closed and I removed the motor assembly yesterday just to see how the cables were attached and I wasn't able to get the window to move down at all but I will try again! I'm going to go get a new regulator today just in case I'm successful in getting the window down!

 

It will move, one way or the other. It's best if you can tap the motor with a hammer, operate the switch and run the window all the way down, you will have better access and more room to work with it. If you buy the regulator at the dealer, it will come with a brand new motor on it too. If the window won't move at all, remove the old motor and you should be able to move the window by hand, you may have to push kind of hard but it should move.

Jimmy

 

Thanks to all for your help. A trip to Advanced Auto, your advice, and an hour or so of time and my window is working nicely again. Now onto the next item on the repair list!

 

Glad to know it's fixed. Window regulator failure is kind of a common problem on Dodges and Chryslers.

Jimmy