'03 Corolla Power Window Problem

Myrddin

So the other day I put the window up (electric window), and when it reached the top the motor didn't do the usual stop-at-the-top, & I then heard something small falling off inside the door. The window from that point wouldn't go up or down, despite hearing the motor spinning, it was like the motor was no longer connected to the regulator. The window started to drop then as I drive, with little bumps etc dropping it down a little every time.

I took the door panel off today and had a look, all looked physically ok, so I decided to take the regulator out to see if I could see anything wrong. It all looked fine, the only thing I could see was the half-moon shaped gear on the regulator was away from the gear on the actual motor itself - so I figured the motor maybe ran too long & disengaged the regulator gear. I connected them back up, & the regulator was moving up & down fine.

I then bolted the window back onto the regulator thinking it was all sorted, but once done, the same problem started right away - the motor spinning but the window not moving up/down & seemingly completely disconnected from the regulator. Would I be right in thinking this is a regulator problem & not the motor itself?

They cost an absolute fortune from Toyota (circa €300 inc vat), but can be gotten spurious too (Micks garage etc) for a good bit cheaper. The only thing is the spurious ones don't come with the motor, and if that's what the problem is, then I don't need the reg.

Help

fancy pigeon

Broken regulator, very common fault.

Memory serves me correctly 3 & 5 doors will interchange but JT and SB won't (correct me if I'm wrong)

First 2 digits of your chassis number and get one from the same.

Budget about €80 from a breakers. They are easy enough to change

Myrddin

fancy pigeon wrote: »

Broken regulator, very common fault.

Memory serves me correctly 3 & 5 doors will interchange

Perfect, thanks for that. Once I know I'm buying the right thing I don't mind paying.

but JT and SB won't (correct me if I'm wrong)

First 2 digits of your chassis number and get one from the same.

I presume that doesn't apply when considering spurious ones? I've found them listed on Samora (according to reg plate number) - http://www.somora.ie/Part/XChecker/314458

Budget about €80 from a breakers. They are easy enough to change

Yep handy enough to do, thankfully

colm_mcm

3 door and 5 door are different.

fancy pigeon

The doors are physically different and won't fit, hence you need to specify which one you have from the chassis on your car.

Personally I'd be going oem only here but thats a personal preference (2nd hand of course!)

fancy pigeon

colm_mcm wrote: »

3 door and 5 door are different.

I sold a JT reg from a 5 door to a fella with a 3 door and never heard back. They looked identical side by side

Myrddin

fancy pigeon wrote: »

Personally I'd be going oem only here but thats a personal preference (2nd hand of course!)

Is that because there could be fitting issues with a spurious one, or because or build quality?

colm_mcm

fancy pigeon wrote: »

I sold a JT reg from a 5 door to a fella with a 3 door and never heard back. They looked identical side by side

They have different part numbers anyway.
Saw a corolla reg put into an old model Corolla verso. Looked the same but it dropped the window at a different angle and hit the checkstrap.
Maybe they're interchange though.

Myrddin

I'm not having much luck on partfinder for one of these. What are my options for going 2nd hand?

fancy pigeon

colm_mcm wrote: »

They have different part numbers anyway.
Saw a corolla reg put into an old model Corolla verso. Looked the same but it dropped the window at a different angle and hit the checkstrap.
Maybe they're interchange though.

That would be the up to 04 model yes? Several nasty little differences. Like gearboxes, the diff had slightly different splines and the shaft was that little bit different to the regular corolla

They were a nuisance of a car for regulators! And the window guide... And the locks... And the mirrors

What a terrible car the Verso was

Myrddin wrote: »

I'm not having much luck on partfinder for one of these. What are my options for going 2nd hand?

Are you near Dublin? A trip to Kilcock is the best way to go. Get the regulator tested before you pay for it though

Myrddin

fancy pigeon wrote: »

Are you near Dublin? A trip to Kilcock is the best way to go. Get the regulator tested before you pay for it though

Aye, Dublin. Kilcock is a major detour for me though What's the big breakers on the Naas Road just opposite the Red Cow?

fancy pigeon

Myrddin wrote: »

Aye, Dublin. Kilcock is a major detour for me though What's the big breakers on the Naas Road just opposite the Red Cow?

Id be avoiding that place if I were you. At least you have a huge selection in Kilcock.

Summerhill spares is also worth a call. Up beside me in Coolock

Myrddin

fancy pigeon wrote: »

Id be avoiding that place if I were you. At least you have a huge selection in Kilcock.

Summerhill spares is also worth a call. Up beside me in Coolock

Blast, all the good places seem to be nowhere near me. I might just try one of the spurious ones from Samora or Micks Garage instead, at least they're a lot closer to me. Failing that, ebay...but it's buyer beware there too

JohnBoy26

Myrddin wrote: »

So the other day I put the window up (electric window), and when it reached the top the motor didn't do the usual stop-at-the-top, & I then heard something small falling off inside the door. The window from that point wouldn't go up or down, despite hearing the motor spinning, it was like the motor was no longer connected to the regulator. The window started to drop then as I drive, with little bumps etc dropping it down a little every time.

I took the door panel off today and had a look, all looked physically ok, so I decided to take the regulator out to see if I could see anything wrong. It all looked fine, the only thing I could see was the half-moon shaped gear on the regulator was away from the gear on the actual motor itself - so I figured the motor maybe ran too long & disengaged the regulator gear. I connected them back up, & the regulator was moving up & down fine.

I then bolted the window back onto the regulator thinking it was all sorted, but once done, the same problem started right away - the motor spinning but the window not moving up/down & seemingly completely disconnected from the regulator. Would I be right in thinking this is a regulator problem & not the motor itself?

They cost an absolute fortune from Toyota (circa €300 inc vat), but can be gotten spurious too (Micks garage etc) for a good bit cheaper. The only thing is the spurious ones don't come with the motor, and if that's what the problem is, then I don't need the reg.

Help

If the motor is working it's highly unlikely to be at fault. If the spurious reg is reasonable money then it might be worth going for. It might not be as good as a genuine one but I'd take one over something from a scrap yard tbh.

Myrddin

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

If the motor is working it's highly unlikely to be at fault. If the spurious reg is reasonable money then it might be worth going for. It might not be as good as a genuine one but I'd take one over something from a scrap yard tbh.

When you say it might not be as good as a genuine one, how do you mean? Like something that'll break in a few months kinda thing?

JohnBoy26

Myrddin wrote: »

When you say it might not be as good as a genuine one, how do you mean? Like something that'll break in a few months kinda thing?

No I think it will last a lot longer than that tbh. If it's a reasonable price and there is a massive difference in price between a genuine one then it's the road I'd go tbh.

Myrddin

Myrddin wrote: »

I presume that doesn't apply when considering spurious ones? I've found them listed on Samora (according to reg plate number) - http://www.somora.ie/Part/XChecker/314458

Only got around to this over the weekend, can confirm the Samora one fits & works fine. At €65, it's decent value and easy enough to fit.