21st Jul 2008, 22:38

My 2001 Pontiac Grand Am Coupe passenger side electric window has been inoperative for more than a year. About 3 years ago, I paid $350 for the dealer to fix the driver side window.

I was reminded that the passenger side window was inoperable today. Went online to see if it was possible to do-it-yourself. I can't afford another $350. Found this website.

Just wanted to stand up and be counted. It's a shame that there is a clearly known defect like this, and Pontiac won't make good on it.

23rd Jul 2008, 10:23

I have the same problem with my 2004 Pontiac Grand Am (driver window). The window still goes up but it doesn't go down. I will open the thing and see what wrong with it. I might have to replace only the plastic clip. Anyway, I will try to fix the window by myself because I can't afford to pay that much money.

Thank you all for the advice

Rafie.

2nd Aug 2008, 16:49

10:08 makes a world of sense. Dealers will charge you 100 times what a repair should cost sometimes. My friend (a total dummy about cars) just paid a shop $477 to replace his front brake pads. I did this on my GA in late winter at a whopping cost of $17. It took me all of 20 minutes. I see all these ludicrous prices being paid for such minor little repairs and I just have to laugh. My GA is 8 years old and my TOTAL repairs (not counting tires and batteries) is $17. It's an awesome car.

Mine has the Quad 4, which is a very reliable and powerful engine. The only modification I have made on mine is a very free-flowing custom fabricated cold-air induction system. It gives the car a bit more power (probably 5 to 8 hp) and makes it more responsive. Mine does 0-60 in the mid-7's and easily blows away stock Civics. I highly recommend a good used GA for its great ride, good power and reliability. Mine is the best car I've ever owned.

17th Aug 2008, 17:38

I'm in the club also. I got this 2002 Grand Am SE about 18 months ago. I've already replaced both left side regulators and today I ordered a new reg for the front passenger side from E-Bay. It was cheaper than just the clips at the dealers. The car is nice for it's price range, but, GM doors are lousy and always have been. I can remember my 72 Monte windows breaking in the winter because of the plastic tracks. We'll probably never get satisfaction from Gm.

I did shame the dealer into giving me a good discount both times I went there. They should be. With 50,000 miles it shouldn't go through this.

So, make sue you let them know how you feel, politely please, if you go there. Or let them know you would rather support the businesses on E-Bay than pay there trumped up costs.

20th Aug 2008, 12:30

Just had my window regulator replaced on 2001 Grand Am for $466. The repair shop manager gave me a hint to prevent this again. He said not to roll down windows when the car is really hot because the weatherstripping swells and the mechanism can break as a result of opening window. He said this is also true if window is icy. So, if it's really hot in the car, let the A/C cool it off first before opening window. Not very convenient, but worth trying.

25th Aug 2008, 23:46

Great to read all the comments on this trouble. My 2003 GA-GT/55,000 miles had the driver side window stop working yesterday, today its fixed. The window motor would go but the window stayed up. So I followed the advice on this site, opened the door panel up and there were the broken sash clips. I purchased them at the GM dealership in town for $18.50 (Canada) each. (GM part #22689012) It took a novice like myself about 1.5 hours to get the entire job done. I used a heat gun to remove the old sash's pushing with a putty knife, a hairdryer may work. Very easy and satisfying not to give the dealership $300-$400 for the same job.

This is definitly a design flaw, why not use a metal and composite piece.

I have been very happy with the car,fixing only 1 wheel bearing, brakes once and just got new tires after 55,000 miles in extremely harsh Canadian conditions. I still think Toyota is the best for reliability though.

30th Sep 2008, 13:22

Here is the solution to all most all of your window problems. When your window falls down partially or all the way or when you say your clips broke, DO NOT take it to the dealer. The dealer will tell you it will cost $300 because they are not allowed to replace the clip. All they can do is replace the entire assembly.

SOLUTION: Go to Autozone, O'Reilly, Napa and buy A $10 SASH KIT. It will fix 1 window. Follow the procedures to removing the door panel. Take a heat gun/hair dryer and remove the old clip with the heat and a scraper (careful not to damage the window). Replace the clips! Back in business in 1 hour and $10 later.

2nd Oct 2008, 20:17

Comment 13:22 is one of the most helpful comments I've seen on the window issue. I've never had this problem with my 2001 SE-1, but the information is very helpful. Thank you!!

4th Oct 2008, 06:25

My experience with the sash clips is that it is the adhesive to the glass that fails, placing inordinate strain on the plastic sash clip that then fails. Too many DIY'ers and dealers alike are not using the proper adhesive to replace and they end up failing as well. Superglue, silicone, and the like will not cut it for the long haul. Everyone has so much trouble getting the OEM adhesive off, then use Elmer's or whatever is in the kitchen drawer to replace. GM sells one-use vials of the OEM stuff for incredible prices that are never in stock (so how could their techs be using it?). Only available in large quantity boxes if special ordered--so expensive that they don't buy it either. Clips are available at various places, read the thread above or go to Advance Auto's "Help!" board, but if you want the repair to last, GET THE RIGHT ADHESIVE! Try glass or windshield shops. NAPA has a urethane adhesive with which I've had good luck, but be sure to read the label and ask for the overpriced primer that is recommended. It only has a fraction of the bonding strength without the primer. Not cheap, but do-able, and far cheaper in the long run! Will take overnight to cure, will be all the stronger not to use for another 24hrs.

23rd Oct 2008, 20:34

In a nutshell, my 02 Grand Am has 140K on it and my drivers window just blew. I've abused this window through ice, snow and the constant up and down whenever I'm in the vehicle. You can order a regulator for $48.00 and a sash kit for $10.00. Put it together and you're on the road.