How To: Remove Window Regulator, Motor and Door Window

I looked everywhere trying to figure out how to remove the window regulator and motor for my passenger side window. I didn't find anything about it so I figured I would make a DIY since I am taking mine apart. But I guess it is the same thing for the driver side. I will also show how to manually test the window motor. While removing this you could also remove the door window.

First of all you start by removing the door panel.

Unscrew the screw inside the door panel arm rest.


Unscrew the screw holding the door handle. Then try to get a flathead or something flat in-between the door panel and the door handle. Then pull the door handle outward and towards the front of the car.


Once you get the door handle out you will need to unhook this purple piece. REMEMBER HOW YOU UNHOOK IT B/C YOU WILL NEED TO HOOK IT UP LATER ON!


The door handle will come out like this. Then just un-clip the clips that connect it to the tweeter and door switch.


Next thing you will need to remove is the speaker cover. Pull it from the bottom with your hand.


When the speaker cover is removed, you will see 3 screws that hold the front speaker on. Unscrew it, then another 3 screws that hold the door panel to the door fame. A total of 6 screws.


After unscrewing the screws that hold the front speaker, the speaker will fall out. Just un-clip the speaker wire.


Don't forget another plastic screw below the side mirror and the side mirror cover. For the side mirror cover, if you are sitting on the front seat just pull where the red arrow is pointing, pull it toward you and downward.


Now you have everything that holds the door panel down other than the plastic clips on the inside. Use your hand and pull the door panel where the red arrows indicate. It might seem like you are breaking it, if this is your first time removing the door panel don't worry. The clips holding the door panel on just pop out of place once you pull on the door panel.


Now when the door panel comes out, don't just yank it out because there is another wire that clips onto the passenger side window switch. Once you un-clip it you could fully remove the door panel.


This is what you will see. Actually yours will have a plastic cover where all those sticky glue spots are on mine. Don't throw it away like I did because this plastic cover keeps any dirt from getting into your interior. Just roll the plastic cover until you see the clip circled in red in the picture below.

Now this is the moment of truth, un-clip the red circle clip. This clip comes from the window motor. You can manually test to see if the window motor is working.


You will see something like this. For some reason I took the whole thing out before testing it. When you un-clip it you will see this clip pictured below. Hold it up like the picture or how the arrow is pointing with the flat side toward the bottom.


Inside you will see two metal connections. I labeled them 1 and 2 like the Helm's Service Manual. You should connect a wire from the car battery.
If you connect:

1 = + (battery 12V) >>
2 = - (ground) >> window will roll up

1 = - (ground) >>
2 = + (battery 12V) >> window will roll down

This is where you can test to see if your window motor is still working.

Sometimes your window motor is working but your window regulator has crapped out. OR if your window motor is not working continue on.

For those of you who just want to REMOVE THE DOOR WINDOW this is how. Just remove the 2 bolts circled in GREEN and your door window will slide right out (by pulling it up that is).

If you window motor doesn't work and you can't get to the other bolt circled in GREEN you might want to:

Unbolt the bolts circled in ORANGE so the other (GREEN) bolt could move freely and you can unbolt it so you can pull the window up.

If you just want to remove the window motor continue on. Unbolt the rest of the bolts that are circled. I circled them different colors because the 2 bolts that are circled in ORANGE are shorter than those that are circled in RED.


The Helm's Manual says to remove the door window out from the door fame but I just didn't want to make things any harder on me so I just taped it.


Once you unbolt all of the circled bolts it will fall down to the bottom of the door fame. Reach with your hand through the big cut in the frame and take the window regulator out.

Note: When you pull it out the saw looking part is big so you might want to push that part upward and then downward.




This is how the window regulator and window motor look. This is the position it is in when attached to the door frame. Just a reference guide. I was helpful for me when I put it back in. Circled in RED is the window motor.


REMEMBER TO MAKE A MARKING ON THE MOTOR AND REGULATOR (LIKE THE RED LINE). This is so you remember where the motor goes once you remove it from the regulator. I marked it with a black permanent marker as you can see in the picture but I tested the motor so it moved a little. CAUTION: REGULATOR WILL JUMP ONCE THE MOTOR IS REMOVE TO BEWARE. I recommend putting a screw driver where the triangle gap is. Just unbolt the 3 8mm bolts and you can remove the motor.