1997 Buick Park Avenue Driver's power window problem

Tiny
ABE_ROBINSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 155,000 MILES
Just like every other Park Avenue from 97 - 02, the driver's power window in my car was not working properly. The motor works, but the door glass seemed to be binding up, and getting off track. I took out the window regulator, and took it to a repair shop near my house. I had the plastic sliders that go in the track replaced. The new ones came from GM, and I know are the correct ones. The old ones had to have the metal stem in the center ground off, and the new ones had the metal stem in the center welded in. They were well greased. I put it all back together, and same thing. I thought maybe the rubber channels that the glass runs in going up and down were not letting the glass slide along it well. I took them out and cleaned them as best as I could, and then armor-alled them. I put it all back together. It works somewhat better, but not the way it is supposed to. I don't know if there is something still wrong with the regulator, perhaps the pivot point in the middle has too much slack in it, or maybe the rubber channels that the window slides in need to be replaced? On previous GM cars, the glass had a clip that rode in the channel, on this car there are no clips. This car has probably been the worst GM car that I have owned. It drives real nice, but all these problems really add up. I see this same problem with the window on all the other Park Avenues from 97-02, so I hope someone here knows what needs to be done. If someone responds to my question, please have specific knowledge about this problem. Thanks.
Saturday, April 11th, 2009 AT 11:47 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 POSTS
I feel your pain. Just replacing the plastic runners inside usually never works(for long) replacing the window regulator is usually the only option. I use spray silicone on the window run channels to make the window move up and down smoothly but you already did that. My suggestion would be to replace window regulator. Just like you said the pivot point is worn out from it binding previously and no amount of adjusting will make that worn pivot point go away. Let me know how you make out. ***Ps my experience is 20 years in the trade and ten specifically in the ninety's working for gm.
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 AT 9:19 AM
Tiny
ABE_ROBINSON
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Thanks, the regulator is about $500.00 at the Buick dealer. They call it something like a "door module" Dorman does not have a replacement available, so I guess this is the way it is going to be until the end.
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Friday, April 17th, 2009 AT 6:33 PM

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