Car problem: Dropped electric window in a Mazda Protege

RunGuy17 · July 9th, 2008, 11:33 AM

Hey all,

I have a electric window that has dropped in a 2002 Mazda Protege. I believe the motor still works, but the window has to be wedged up...otherwise, it basically drops back into the door like it's not being supported. I was trying to get the interior panels off the driver's side door, but wasn't sure about where the snaps were, so I didn't want to break anything. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks!

ghosttour · July 9th, 2008, 11:58 AM

I had this happen in a Toyota Corolla years ago. It's irritating!

There's a long platform or bracket that cradles the bottom edge of the window - in my case it was held snug by a rubber gasket that had dry rotted out, so every time the window was rolled down, it would come out of the bracket and fall down into the interior of the door as you describe.

I tried a few different things to no avail - I wound up just pressing my hand on the inside of the glass and guiding it down every time I rolled the window down. Some creative Googling might get you some more info about how to get the door panel off if you want to take a look inside. Hope this helps a little!

e-merlin · July 9th, 2008, 12:14 PM

A little snooping around will turn up the location of some hidden screws, usually around the armrest. There will be some plastic fasteners along the edge of the panel as well. You'll need to remove the screws and pry the panel away from the door. Get as close to the fasteners as you can. A screwdriver on each side of the fastener should work if you don't have the removal tool. Once you've got the panel off, there will be a piece of protective paper taped to the door. Don't rip it getting it off. Once that's out of the way, you should see the window mechanism. I suspect that one of the rollers or a screw has come off. It will be a pretty quick fix once you're in there.

ajgus · July 9th, 2008, 12:22 PM

Happened in my Infiniti. You gotta open up the door & put it back on the track. Happened to me while I was driving down the express way. Thought it was gonna fly out into traffic. Scared the s*** out of me.

RunGuy17 · July 9th, 2008, 12:22 PM

e-merlin,

Is there a special tool I can purchase to remove the fasteners?

Thanks!

boris bubbanov · July 9th, 2008, 12:29 PM

Careful now!

Don't remove the veil of invincibility behind these underengineered japanese cars.

Our whole world will unravel, Newton's Law will no longer apply.

Brent Hutto · July 9th, 2008, 12:39 PM

The only car I've ever had that dropped a window was a Ford.

TJNY · July 9th, 2008, 12:47 PM

Funny, the same thing just happened in my 92' Camry. Haven't done much besides put plastic over it for the moment........how trashy!!! Ha ha.....

Slow Reflexes · July 9th, 2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

...underengineered japanese cars...

Ford owns a controlling interest in Mazda. The Probe, Fiesta, Explorer, Ranger, Escort, Escape, Focus... all shared platforms.

ToeCutter66 · July 9th, 2008, 02:14 PM

I just had the same thing happen to my 1990 miata. A cable had snapped on the regulator. I replaced it with a new manual regulator, because it was cheaper than the power version. My car now has a power window on the passenger side, and a manual on the driver side. I had to cut a hole in the door panel for the crank handle. It was also easier to go this route, otherwise I would have had to reconnect the new cable assembly to my existing electric motor.

But the parts with shipping from Finish Line Performance (Rosenthal Mazda) was less than $75.

e-merlin · July 9th, 2008, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

underengineered japanese cars.

Sir, I fart in your general direction!

My Subaru WRX was as good a car as I've had, and I've had a bunch. I think that for as long as cars have been made there have been car problems. I doubt all of them were engineering problems. This one sounds like an assembly problem or a a heavy use problem.

Scoot · July 10th, 2008, 05:17 PM

Most likely the regulator, follow E-merlins instruction for removing panel.
if the regulator is a rack and pinion gear style, more than likely you'll find
2 bolts that hold the window bracket that is connected to the regulator in the
bottom of the door. If it is a cable regulator you'll need to get a new one
PM me if you need more help.

e-merlin · July 10th, 2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunGuy17

e-merlin,

Is there a special tool I can purchase to remove the fasteners?

Thanks!

Yes, there is. I can't remembet what it's called, though. A parts store should have one or be able to point you in the right direction.

July 9th, 2008, 11:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
RunGuy17 TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indiana Age: 24 Posts: 62	Car problem: Dropped electric window in a Mazda Protege Hey all, I have a electric window that has dropped in a 2002 Mazda Protege. I believe the motor still works, but the window has to be wedged up...otherwise, it basically drops back into the door like it's not being supported. I was trying to get the interior panels off the driver's side door, but wasn't sure about where the snaps were, so I didn't want to break anything. Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!

July 9th, 2008, 11:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
ghosttour Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Age: 36 Posts: 417 6 Photos	I had this happen in a Toyota Corolla years ago. It's irritating! There's a long platform or bracket that cradles the bottom edge of the window - in my case it was held snug by a rubber gasket that had dry rotted out, so every time the window was rolled down, it would come out of the bracket and fall down into the interior of the door as you describe. I tried a few different things to no avail - I wound up just pressing my hand on the inside of the glass and guiding it down every time I rolled the window down. Some creative Googling might get you some more info about how to get the door panel off if you want to take a look inside. Hope this helps a little! __________________ www.myspace.com/brasssaddles

July 9th, 2008, 12:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
ajgus Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chicago Posts: 1,907	Happened in my Infiniti. You gotta open up the door & put it back on the track. Happened to me while I was driving down the express way. Thought it was gonna fly out into traffic. Scared the s*** out of me. __________________

July 9th, 2008, 12:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 7,537	Careful now! Don't remove the veil of invincibility behind these underengineered japanese cars. Our whole world will unravel, Newton's Law will no longer apply. __________________ Bubban0v

July 9th, 2008, 12:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
Brent Hutto Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 657 6 Photos	The only car I've ever had that dropped a window was a Ford. __________________ ON HIATUS

July 9th, 2008, 12:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
RunGuy17 TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indiana Age: 24 Posts: 62	e-merlin, Is there a special tool I can purchase to remove the fasteners? Thanks!

July 9th, 2008, 12:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
TJNY Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Orange County, NY Posts: 1,171	Funny, the same thing just happened in my 92' Camry. Haven't done much besides put plastic over it for the moment........how trashy!!! Ha ha..... __________________ http://www.myspace.com/ocbluesxpress http://www.myspace.com/tjny

July 9th, 2008, 02:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
ToeCutter66 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sterling Virginia Posts: 112	I just had the same thing happen to my 1990 miata. A cable had snapped on the regulator. I replaced it with a new manual regulator, because it was cheaper than the power version. My car now has a power window on the passenger side, and a manual on the driver side. I had to cut a hole in the door panel for the crank handle. It was also easier to go this route, otherwise I would have had to reconnect the new cable assembly to my existing electric motor. But the parts with shipping from Finish Line Performance (Rosenthal Mazda) was less than $75. __________________ Thanks, Kevin 06 American Telecaster, Texas Specials, 4-Way Switch Mod.

July 10th, 2008, 05:17 PM	#12 (permalink)
Scoot Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Republik of Vermont Age: 43 Posts: 234	Most likely the regulator, follow E-merlins instruction for removing panel. if the regulator is a rack and pinion gear style, more than likely you'll find 2 bolts that hold the window bracket that is connected to the regulator in the bottom of the door. If it is a cable regulator you'll need to get a new one PM me if you need more help. __________________ Scoot If I Have to Explain, You Wouldn't Understand!!!