So my honda accord's ('03, 4 door, silver, LX 4-cyl) passenger side window has been struggling for months now (slow to roll up and down). Today it decided to stop working (while it was down, ugh).

Question... I have (next to) no experience (I did replace my driver side view mirror with a junk yard replacement after some fucker knocked it off) but would like to fix it myself. Is this a feasible task for a novice? I'm assuming i need to order a new motor, but are there other things that might be causing it? I have a suspicion that water leaked into the door and maybe damaged the motor because that door has been leaking whenever it rains.

3/28/2014 8:34:34 PM

My bro-in-law has done it on his TL with zero car knowledge.

I'd say it's feasible to DIY

3/28/2014 10:07:13 PM

that's good to hear. It just so happens that today started my spring break so I'll have a couple of days i can do some research and then jump in on the "project."

3/28/2014 11:03:43 PM

If you can hear the motor running but it just isnt moving its a good chance its the window regulator, or the linkage cables and guides that the window actually runs up and down on. If theres no sound when you hit the switch then its the motor as you surmised. You can do it, just be prepared for some WTF moments, better have some u-joint socket adapters and/or gearwrenches, and watch out for some scraped knuckles.

3/29/2014 12:50:11 AM

when i hit the switch i just hear the "click" of it trying to activate but then no sound from the motor

3/29/2014 8:38:11 AM

Honda's windows suck...always have, always will.

If just need to get the window up, try having a helper pull up the glass while you press the switch.

Take the door panel off:
Take out a few screws(sometimes hidden behind a cover in the handle). Remove the window switch and unplug it. Snap the bottom of the panel off by pulling towards you. There are plastic clips and a tool to remove them, but you don't need it. The top lip of the panel hooks into the window seal. Tilt the panel and lift vertically to remove the panel.

Remove the plastic moisture barrier carefully so you can reattach it later.

The problem could be the window switch, window motor, or window regulator(the cable assembly that connects the motor to the window). On Hondas, they all suck equally.

Check the window regulator for frayed cables. If found, replace the regulator.

Examine the tracks that the little window wheels ride in.

You can check the motor by applying 12v from a car battery directly to the two wires of the motor. Obviously keep your hands clear or it will liberate them from you. Connect the wires one way to raise the window, reverse them to lower it.

The window switches are sorta 'smart'. In other words, the drivers' switch sends a low voltage signal to the passenger switch, which then controls the motor. So even if the driver's switch doesn't seem to control the passenger window, it could still be the passenger switch that is the culprit.

Replacement of motors and regulators is not too bad, just beware of the glass falling(get a helper to hold it) when you start unbolting things. Also protect your wrists from sharp door metal.

3/29/2014 8:50:59 AM

Look on youtube, there's probably a how-to video

3/29/2014 11:20:57 AM

so i took care of this on Easter with my brother in law's help/guidance. took all of 20 minutes. very easy. (extra set of hands was helpful)

[Edited on April 23, 2014 at 10:46 AM. Reason : ]

4/23/2014 10:46:23 AM

Sorry, only know how to fix red accords

4/26/2014 1:15:20 PM

4/26/2014 3:27:28 PM

I was having this problem with my RED HONDA and a friend of a friend (who casually works on cars) replaced the motor and regulator for me. But after ONE DAY LATER, it stopped working. Can someone help!?!??

Quote :

"Remove the plastic moisture barrier carefully so you can reattach it later."

And he definitely just ripped that shit off saying I don't really need it. In some trash can around Avent Ferry.

4/29/2014 10:49:27 PM

you don't really need it.

4/30/2014 8:24:13 AM

Can anyone help me figure out why it's still not working after he replaced it and it worked for one day?? I'm not good with these things......I'm a female....soooooo.

5/6/2014 1:12:40 PM

I've heard of aftermarket regulators being bad out of the box, or going bad immediately after install. Could be the case.

Does it do anything when you hit the switch? Move slightly? Click? Whine? Or is it just silence?

5/6/2014 6:00:58 PM

It was a bitch for my friend to put it on in the first place. But it will go down about 1-2 inches and then it starts to make a slight noise and go down VERY slowly and crooked. I haven't tried to put it down very far for fear of not having it go back up.

5/23/2014 12:42:00 AM

chances are that the friend reinstalled the peripheral items attached to the new part incorrectly.

5/23/2014 7:04:32 AM

Yeah, I've been trying to have him look at it again, but he lives 2.5 hrs away. *sigh* That's why I was trying to find someone local to fix.

5/23/2014 12:59:05 PM