Hi all, 

Has anyone tackled replacing the window regulator on their car? I've watched a couple of You Tube videos and it seems a manageable task ( reasonable level of DIY skills and tools required )

Recently spent just over £1K on repairs at the garage and I don't think my marriage would survive another trip there for this work.

 

Secondary point  - the window is 99% shut and doesn't let any rain water in but I can hear there is a slight gap ( i think the size of when the window drops slightly when unlocking ) I wondered if removing the door card and fully raising the window manually would buy me some time before purchasing the regulator? 

 

Any advice or tips on where to purchase the part would be great. 

 

Thanks so much!

 

David 

I'd recommend a diagnostic check to see if any fault codes flag up as it might not be the regulator 

Thanks Steve. I can hear the motor spinning and a rattle as well which i suspect is snapped cables flying about - i could always remove the door card and have a peep - but yeah a diagnostic check could be a good shout.

 

Thanks for  advice

Please keep us posted on how you get on 

Window regulators are fiddly, but usually straight forward. Weather isn’t on your side just now. Reckon we’ve had 2 weeks of rain where we are. Ideally this is an under cover job, decent lighting and warm. If you’re buying time, then Gorilla tape on the inside may help hold the glass up.

I’ve replaced window motor on BMW i3, but similar approach. On this car you can access by removing door skin or interior. On opening the doors, the window drops, suspect coupe is the same, on closing the door, the window automatically rises an inch. Scanned with ISTA. Motors either fail due to water ingress, corroded electrics, or snapped cables.

Usually a case of stripping off door card, removing vapour barrier (usually foam membrane). New from Audi will be expensive. You should be able to order from EBay from a breaker such as Charles Trent. Unfortunately this market is unregulated and there are more than a few charlatans, so check feedback before ordering. 

Order exactly the same part number. Usually held  in place with 10mm nuts, Torx screws, etc. You’ll probably have door electrics, stereo speaker to disconnect. Work clean and don’t stress the wiring. Test the window before you reaffix the door card.

I’d be tempted to disconnect battery and place on trickle charge while working, or pull the fuse at least.

 

Thanks both for the helpful tips and advice.

 

Weather wasn't on my side but I had a window of about 40mins without rain so I removed the door card and had a quick look around. I can get access to the LHS by removing the black rubber membrane but the RHS is behind the speaker which seems to be bonded as well as Torx screw fixed in place.

The cable on the LHS section of the regulator is still in place but doesn't feel particularly tight. I can manually push up the window the final 10mm or so but it doesn't stay in place - resulting in a whistling noise when the AC is on and I can also hear the road outside when driving.

 

Quote from Audi for a replacement is £200+ and then obv labour ontop if I go the garage. MOT due next week so it might be a case of seeing if it passes that and then having the work done.

 

Thanks again!

 

David 

 

 

It passed the MOT, which was a relief although now my wife wants me to sell the car before anything else goes wrong ha! 

Now that the car has passed the MOT and i've got another year out of it I feel better about the purchase, the window regulator will need to be a next month / next pay check issue but I feel like with regular service and care the car could last a good bit longer.

Thanks for you your help and guidance thus far guys!