Q45 with a Broken Window Regulator

[austinQgirl]

Hello out there...

I am new to this forum and I appreciate the chance for some help from other Q lovers.

I did a search for this topic, but came up empty.

I have a 1995 Q45 (81K original miles/immaculate) with a broken driver's side window regulator.

I am told the motor is fine.

My mechanic called throughout Austin and a couple places in San Antonio and said he repeatedly got the same answer... that this is a dealer-only part with about a $250-300 price tag because this body style was only made for a couple of years and there are no after market options.

My understanding is that the regulator cannot be bought separately without the motor?!?

I suppose it makes sense to replace them together (since they are the same age and the same wear and tear)... but it seems terribly pricey....and that's before I even get it put on the car!

Is this correct information?

Is there any other model with which an interchangeable/less expensive part might be obtained?

Or any other ideas?!?

Scouring through 'junk yard parts' seems if-y since I wouldn't have any way to know a part's real age or condition...and I do want to keep my car in as good a shape as possible...
But I hope there is a less expensive option.

My inspection is due in June, so I have to get this done soon.

Thanks so much for reading my post...and for any and all suggestions you can share.

austinQgirl

[Infinitiguy19]

I mean no disrespect but the new search engine is 100% better compared to the old one. NICO just underwent a big upgrade so thats why I say this. So you should have found a topic created by someone in Connecticut AT LEAST.

There was a guy close to me (Same guy as I said above) that once had a 1996 Q45 and he had the same problem as you. He found one on Ebay for a fair price but sold the car before he noticed any problems.

Go to local junkyards that you or a friend... Can pull it out yourselves and record the millage on the vehicle. If its lower than yours then chances are its better.

Replacing its tough but not impossible.

And 1994-1996 Q45's have a history of window regulators breaking because of the thicker windows. So if you want to "Down grade" your glass chances are your regulators will have a longer life. But I am not sure if the rubber on the door (To keep water out) is thinner because of the thicker windows.

[goody90q45]

.......My understanding is that the regulator cannot be bought separately without the motor?!?
I suppose it makes sense to replace them together (since they are the same age and the same wear and tear)... but it seems terribly pricey....and that's before I even get it put on the car! Is this correct information?.......

The regulator and motor are definately sold separately and as you already figured out there's nothing wrong with your window motor. A new regulator is about $120 through our sponsor and installation should take about an hour. Window motors are a dime a dozen in the parts forum. They don't wear out. It's really not hard to change out either if you know someone with a phillips screwdriver, a 10mm wrench and a 10mm socket. There's a good picture in the Body section of the FSM that is very helpful and there's lots of previous threads explaining door panel removal and regulator removal.

If money's tight try buying a used regulator through one of the sellers in the Infinti Parts forum. I recommend Dsagers but there's plenty of other sellers. Any regulator 90-96 from the same door will work. When you get it, clean it up and lube it good and it will work like new as long as the cable is not frayed and the plastic end connections for the cable are not broken or cracked. Clean and lube is a must if you expect a used unit to last any length of time.

[Q451990]

Welcome to NICO!

Hopefully this link will work. http://www.infinitipartsusa.com/partloc ... atalogid=0

If not go to http://www.infinitipartsusa.com, select your year and model, then look under "glass and hardware" then "regulator"



Heath

[austinQgirl]

Thank you, Thank you...

You are all great! Yea! I am so glad to be able to get just the regulator!...and to know that motors don't generally wear out and are cheap if they do, and that there is a difference in glass weight on various models...all really good stuff for me to be aware of...helps me ask more intelligent questions and ups the chances of getting things right the first time.

The links for infinitipartsusa worked perfectly, Heath...so for just a little over$150 fed-x will bring one to my door....and btw...the driver's side...is it considered the 'right' or 'left' side (is one 'in' the car or 'looking' at it from the front?)? I guess they always have plenty in stock and available for shipping...

Money is always tight in my world...but I don't think I am up to the challenge of 'doing it myself' right now (too much already on my plate...), but I will investigate in the parts forum and see what comes about, just in case I can find something in good enough shape that my mechanic could clean up easily and quickly. He's charging me a cut rate, but every extra minute, counts, don'tcha know...

If I bought a used part through someone from infiniti parts forum, how would I really know what condition it is in until I have received it? Are these people both private owners as well as used parts dealers? Do you have a link for Dsagers? And how long would it take to be cleaned up and re-readied...and would it have a very long life left in it? How would anybody know (or be able to venture a good guess?) How would I find out? I don't suppose mine could be re-worked/repaired, no?
...and btw... who is' your sponsor' (goody90q45) and could I get the part for $120 through them? Of course there's shipping to TX...but I wouldn't think it would be over $20...

And...it is great to know it should only take an hour or less to install.

And Paul, after I read your post I did try another search. The first time, I think I searched the forum posts instead of NICO,( I'm a newby), and there were alot of mentions when I finally got to the right place...but most seemed to be about that do it yourself thing...and I just don't have that kind of patience or time right now. But I do see what you meant and now I know how to do it. I missed that 'big red button' the first time. Sorry...

Anyway, you all have made my life so much easier and helped me keep more of my pennies in my pocket. I knew there had to be better answers. Thanks again...

austinQgirl

[Q451990]

Driver's side is left... so yes, everything is from the driver's perspective sitting in the driver's seat. I suspect Goody was mentioning the same sponsor and just working off of memory.

A used one is always a crapshoot... could last a month, or could last a few years. If you're paying for installation, and plan on keeping the car for a while, it's probably best to bite the bullet and get a new one - especially for the driver's window that gets the most use.

Heath

[elwesso]

I agree with heath.. if it was a rear one or something like that i might feel a little better about a used one, unless i could give it a visual inspection before buying it.

I would reckon the number of drive through's is inversely proportional to longevity... Maybe someday they'll put black boxes on window regulators.

[Q45tech]

You all just had to discuss it, sesequently my passenger rear fell yesterday. Will there be a 2 week period when nothing new fails?
Duct tape and a piece of wood til I find a newish one.

[elwesso]

bummer, dennis... thats always the worst when you go to use the window, you hear CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH and down the window goes into the door...

[austinQgirl]

So, that squeaky sound that I sometimes hear when I open the front and back passenger windows are shades of things to come?!? Oh dear... I was hoping that it was just the glass squeaking on the rubber...no?? Oh dear...

Sorry, Qtech, that you're having the same problem...

Thanks for the confirmation on buying (or not) a used one. That sounds like more than I could handle. Left side ...right side...who knew? Thanks for educating me...

I suppose I will just order a part from infinitypartsusa for the driver's side today. That seems like the best alternative.

I'll just hope for the best on the other side for now and cross that bridge later. I do plan on keeping the car. It's in fabulous shape (as far as I can tell)...give or take a few minor body-things (door ding, underpinning and a few scratches). Mechanically, I think/hope it's sound and won't leave me anywhere.

Thanks again for sharing and educating... Now I know where all the 'go-to' guys are the next time I need to run up the red flag! You're the best!

austinQgirl

[Q45tech]

Fixed an hour after post with a unit from yard full of donors. Cost 6 real hamburgers with swiss and mushrooms. Bought lunch.

[Q451990]

Duct tape and a piece of wood til I find a newish one.

My last temporary fix was to clamp the slider for the window in place on the regulator with a pair of vice grips.

Heath