Hey everyone. I got a question about my power windows in my 96 Accord. Well not really a question, mainly a statement. They suck! Anyways, I'm thinking I probably bent some of the arms in there and I probably need to get new tracks and motors. But, one day I was browsing the internet and found a video of a Honda Civic and they did something to the power windows that made them roll down and up instantly. It took maybe all of about a second to roll down and like 2 seconds to roll up. Anybody know what those kits are called? Anybody know what I can do to fix my power windows now without taking apart the doors and such? They are a PAIN!

 

1) u cannot fix ur windows without taking apart the doors

2) the video u saw was probably fake b/c i have seen similar videos and windows cannot roll up and down that fast

3) most accord experience power window problems

4) u will have to replace the window regulator and motor

 

A much cheaper way would be to take the door panels off and lubricate EVERY moving part in the window regulator and use some graphite on the rubber window tracks

 

"I feel your pain dude," I had the same problem on all my Accords. The easiest fix is buy a new regulator with the motor on Ebay. You can get one for about $50 and save your self alot of headache plus they come with a warranty. The cable system and plactic mechanism are trash on the oem regulators thats why they break. The new ones have a metal mechanism at least so they last. Hope this helps you out, Jdmpartshunter

 

If they still go up & down, but slowly or erractically, I had the same problem on my 90 Accord several years ago; simply lubricating the window tracks with ArmorAll (without taking the door apart) solved my problem and they've been fine since. Put the window down and use a Q-tip to lubricate the exposed portions of the track, run the window up & down, then maybe another application. Worth a try before taking the door apart.

 

Honestly it's 2 screws and push tabs to take apart the door, it's not too difficult at all

 

Thanks for the help everyone. I've had the doors apart to put new speakers in, but I have to take this white plastic sheet off. Is that alright to do? What do I replace the sheet with? I try not to use my Windows in the winter, just because I know they'll get stuck. Good rule of thumb I think...

 

I have the exact same prob. So basicly, take oout the white plastic. Try not to break any of it if you can. The glue is kinda hard to take off, but some effort would do. And take out the track and so and so.

 

So what you're saying is I need to keep the white plastic. Just get it off somehow and then put it back later with some other kind of glue?

 

i've read all posts in this thread. good read. i hate this crummy problem. i've got the door panel off and that white plastic off too. but i can't find the track. i keep putting my hand in those holes but i have no clue what im feeling inside that door. where is the track on my rear left door? is it the furthest guide to the left of the door? how do i dismantle it because im having a huge problem doing this right now. i want to roll my glass up manually as the motor will only roll it down but not up. is that even possible...

 

i heard that if you grease the tracks, they would pretty much move without hesitation

 

I've tried about every greasing thing. It works for about a week, then slows down even slower because it gets "gummy". I've tried grease, WD-40, vaseline, windex. All work for a while, and they are FAST, but then slow way way down.

 

If you haven't tried it yet, white lithium grease won't turn "gummy". It kind of sounds like you're getting a lot of dirt and dust in the channels somehow, which is turn making it "gummy".

If it wasn't for the windows, I would have bought a 4th or 5th gen Accord as a second car. They're just notoriously bad for slowing down and whatnot. If you look at how the complete system works, you'll start to get an idea why there are so many problems. Thankfully for me, Honda switched back to a much simpler setup starting with the 6th gens, which is actually very similar to the system they used in 3rd gens... Sorry, now I'm just rambling.

 

I'll see if I can track some of that down. Will it affect the tint?

 

Nah. I've used white lithium grease for years upon years. I'd probably still avoid over-spraying though. It doesn't take a whole lot of this stuff to work. AutoZone or any other auto parts store should have a can of it. (Aerosol can)

Just keep in mind that if the motor is already weak, nothing may help...

 

has anyone here had to manually roll up there power window for whatever reason??

curious.

 

It's not really possible to manually roll it up...

 

ok..... well

i just went out this morning, bought a used regulator/motor

installed it and it STILL won't roll back up

so what now? i've spent 100 on a USED motor (cry) and my problem still isn't fixed. not only will it be a pain to bring that thing back but now i have to troubleshoot further to find out why i can't get my window up. two regulators later i'm back where i've started?

if the window can wind down, but can't be sent back up to the closed position, what the heck could be the problem?

 

If you look in there, you'll notice how a metal wire loops around. The wire has channels that it rests/runs through. Make sure that the wire hasn't slipped out of place and is getting caught somewhere. If it has, the weight of the window combined with the added friction/resistance of the wire being out of it's channel could prevent the motor from rolling the window up.

If you pull up on the switch and nothing happens at all, as in, the motor doesn't even try to roll the window back up, your problem most likely lies in the switch.

 

thanks... so are we talking the door handle switch? should i get a new door handle then?

im so confused and pissed i hate this. lol

is a switch fixable or should i just not bother and replace it instead?

problem is, it won't roll up from either switch, but it will roll down using both. (HHHHHHHEEEEEEELLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPP)

 

i wish you guys would have suggested to replace the switch.....

anyways, is there a way to clean the contacts on the switch and it magically pulls the window up? any stories like this? i have a feeling someone must have had this problem before

 

Man, I wish I could help you out, but I really haven't had this problem. My Dad sort of had the same problem with his window switches on his crappy Dodge Minivan. He unplugged the switch and then barely twisted some of the pins so that they would make better contact with the plug. I know it worked for a little bit. I really don't know how you could test it or anything. Maybe measure the voltage at the motor, and if it's not getting anything it may be the switch? Measure the voltage into the switch? If that's not getting anything, I'm not sure... Fuse? I really don't know sorry...

 

So did you get a chance to try the white lithium grease?

 

LOL it's okay, i appreciate everyone's suggestions. turns out that THIS IS MY PROBLEM

- old regulator (rear left) works but will only roll window DOWN, not UP
- bought a used regulator, but still will only roll window DOWN, not up
- i tried using lubricant on everything, nothing seemed to work.
- i can get my window all the way up the tracks when the regulator is removed, therefore there is no obstruction in the guides.
-i can roll down the window from both my main power window switch, and rear left door handle switch... but neither switch gives the motor power to roll the window UP.

(what SUCKS is i'm stuck with two regulators that work and i can't refund the part, only exchange it)

Went back there this morning to get the problem solved. Service guy at the parts place i went to came up with THIS IDEA:

used a car battery and attached two individual wires (one to the positive and one to the negative) and then touched the ends of those wires to the end of the plug (on the yellow motor's wire).

Like a charm my window rolls right up after months (years actually) of frustration.

I'm happy on one hand that my window is now up ($100 dollars and two perfectly fine working regulator/motors later) but now my PROBLEM is finding out what electrical problem my car is having that causes my rear left power window to roll DOWN only.

any electrical buffs with suggestions? for now i'm going to TAPE DOWN my power window shut-off button so i can only open my drivers side glass for the rest of winter (until summer when it's warm enough to fix all my electrical problems).

 

I haven't tried that grease yet, gotta track some down. Is it alright to use the power windows in the winter? I always thought it was a bad idea, I wouldn't think it would matter really, as long as they weren't frozen shut. It's kind of akward going through the drive through and actually getting out of the car to order and get the food... People look at you funny.
Best of luck finding that electrical problem!