Windows won't roll all the way up

Arcane Hayter

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The windows in my 96 EX coupe don't roll all the way up. They get about two inches from the top and then - pop pop pop. I have to force them up by hand and then they only stay up for a couple of days. Has anyone else had this problem? Before I tear into it I was just wondering what others have come across. I'm wondering if this can be fixed backyard style or if I'm going to have to replace the whole motor unit just to fix it.
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JohnS.

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it might just be falling off the track when it gets up there. my driver side did the same and i had to push on the window while i was rolling it up to keep it from falling off the track.
 


X-aCuTiOnA

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I know a lot of ppl have trouble with the glass popping out of the rails. I know mine has done it quite a few times, but on mine i couldnt push it all the way, i had to rip out the door panels and get into the door to fix it. Is it lose when you roll it half way down? Can you wiggle it? If thats the case, you juss may have to put it back on the rails and lube them up.
 

NOFX

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Sounds like the common 6th gen problem of the window glass coming off the track and eventually bending the rail. Roll it up and don't roll it down again (until it's fixed). You're just bending the parts more and it will become more difficult to roll up. If you have power windows they might just get jammed and become impossible to move.\

I've had this happen on my '97 EX coupe that I used to have (2 in the morning on a weekend in the boonies in the rain with no where to cover the car to fix it) and Eran has also had it happen on his '97 CX hatch.

You can end up with further damage to the rail or even to the rubber trim around the window.

I've seen people "fix" this themeselves but the only time I have ever witnessed the window working correctly again was in my '97 when I brought it to Honda and had it fixed which included the rail being replaced. Bending it back into shape doesn't seem good enough nor does just relubing it.
 


T!mmy

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NOFX said:
Sounds like the common 6th gen problem of the window glass coming off the track and eventually bending the rail. Roll it up and don't roll it down again (until it's fixed). You're just bending the parts more and it will become more difficult to roll up. If you have power windows they might just get jammed and become impossible to move.\

I've had this happen on my '97 EX coupe that I used to have (2 in the morning on a weekend in the boonies in the rain with no where to cover the car to fix it) and Eran has also had it happen on his '97 CX hatch.

You can end up with further damage to the rail or even to the rubber trim around the window.

I've seen people "fix" this themeselves but the only time I have ever witnessed the window working correctly again was in my '97 when I brought it to Honda and had it fixed which included the rail being replaced. Bending it back into shape doesn't seem good enough nor does just relubing it.
yup tore my window rubber so now when I roll the window down I have to keep pressure around the tear so it doesnt also go down and when I roll it up I usually have to push up on the rubber to keep it sealed.

I truly think honda should've done somethig about this. This has been a problem since forever
 

X-aCuTiOnA

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NOFX said:
Sounds like the common 6th gen problem of the window glass coming off the track and eventually bending the rail. Roll it up and don't roll it down again (until it's fixed). You're just bending the parts more and it will become more difficult to roll up. If you have power windows they might just get jammed and become impossible to move.\

I've had this happen on my '97 EX coupe that I used to have (2 in the morning on a weekend in the boonies in the rain with no where to cover the car to fix it) and Eran has also had it happen on his '97 CX hatch.

You can end up with further damage to the rail or even to the rubber trim around the window.

I've seen people "fix" this themeselves but the only time I have ever witnessed the window working correctly again was in my '97 when I brought it to Honda and had it fixed which included the rail being replaced. Bending it back into shape doesn't seem good enough nor does just relubing it.
How much something like that cost?
 

NOFX

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I'm not sure hwo feasible that might have been. I mean... when did they figure out this was a problem even? I've only known about it since maybe around 2002-2003. Is it a problem with design or does it have something to do with lack of maintenance (getting tracks lubed) or even the lube breaking down? Does it happen on all year sixth gens or just '96-'98s? Does it happen in sedans too or just coupes and hatches? (Sedans have shorter front doors and windows so I'm not sure how much in them might be different parts.)

This problem might have not shown itself until say 2000 on the 1996-1997 year vehicles. Sure, they could have possibly recalled it, but why? It affected at least two of the three body styles on Honda's most popular model. That's expensive for the company. It's not a safety concern either.

If I remember correctly mine cost about $75 to get fixed. Not much at all. I think I was able to wait for it too, so it didn't take very long. Again though, this was 3+ years ago and I could be wrong. Call up your local dealership and ask. Different dealerships might charge differently, also prices might have gone up.
 

stolibears

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you have to be carefull when it gets off track, if you try and force it up when the windows is off, it will go inbetween the rubber seal and the door, which isn't where it's supposed to go. Like NOFX said, you could make it worse and bend the rail and tear the seal. If you don't fix it, you'll end up burning out the motor and paying for a new actuator and assembly.

I've fixed mine using the HOW-TO, and I've been problem free for about 2 years now. I've only had to use the silicon lube once since that time.
 

Arcane Hayter

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Wow guys, thanks for all the info. I have had to put the window back in the track, but I had no idea it was linked to the window not going all the way up. I checked out the DIY and I may try this for starters atleast until I can get the car into the city. The motors are still good so maybe I can get this straightened out before I do any damage to them.
Thanks again everybody.
 

masameet

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My EX Coupe has twice had this window problem. The first time it was under warranty. This was in 2000. The second time was this past January, on a cold rainy Saturday night, with an hour's drive home on several major freeways. In both cases the window regulator was at fault. Apparently Honda parts prices increase by 10 percent every January. I was told I needed three parts, with one not usu. a stocked item (which would mean waiting a week). What with it being rainy season and my car lives on the street now, I had to get the fix done PDQ. Several local dealerships quoted the previous year's prices. At the dealership I went to, I used its 10-percent off parts mail-in coupon and also won the argument that I should be charged the parts prices I'd been quoted, not the newly marked-up prices. All in all, I think I got a good deal, as the customer rep also discounted by 10 percent the labor! :P And the dealer washed my car! (Odd how a dirty car looks somehow dirtier during the rainy season.) Still the nearly $300 bill was something I was not expecting as part of my car's annual maintenance costs. (And the third part turned out to be unnecessary.)
 


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