R230 Problem with rear quarter window

[Mans Best]

I'm not sure if this is on the right part of the forum, but here goes.

Not been my month so far, but the right rear quarter window packed in working tonight. In normal use it would retract a small amount on opening the door and return to position when the door is closed (presumably to secure the rubber seal). Now all I get is a whirring/grinding noise from behind the trim, but no up/down/forward/backward movement.

Same noise occurs when trying to lower the window with the button on the driver's door and it certainly sounds like something has come adrift. Anyone have any experience of this happening and what's likely to be cause and fix?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dec]

The noise would be the motor running but unable to move the glass, possible because the cable has snapped/rusted through.

Some more good pictures here… r230 rear window motor in Vehicle Parts and Accessories | eBay

Dec

 

[Mans Best]

Thanks Dec.

Is this an easy part to get at and replace myself? Once removed, do you know if they can the be repaired? I've reasonable(ish) spanner skills.

Reason I ask is I might buy a used one on eBay and refurb the one I take out if it's not beyond repair.

Cheers

 

[Dec]

I have no idea what’s involved, you could remove the trim to see what’s gone wrong, probably the cable has broken or one of the 2 pulley wheels or the window guide that moves along the grove, have failed.
Maybe there is a DIY around the internet for that job, do a Google search, you might get lucky.

If you get the trim off, you could put up pictures of the problem, someone may be able to advise further.

Dec

 

[cfoster]

Imagine it would be quite straight forward to replace as the trim is pretty simple to remove (roof down its easier I think). I imagine MB will sell it as a whole kit though so won't be cheap knowing them! Maybe best looking around on ebay etc for ones being broken.

 

[Mans Best]

Have this job lined up for the weekend, so hopefully will know more by then. The bayhas.com link is very helpful as it contains instructions on removing trim panels, etc without which it might have taken me a while to figure out!

 

[Mans Best]

Found the problem. Replaced the mechanism with one bought on ebay and all is well. Fiddly job but not that difficult.
Replacing the old one I realise what a terrible piece of design that part of the car is. The cable sits in a trough of water, retained by a rubber liner guaranteed to keep the trough topped up. Inevitably, the cable rusts (it's not made of stainless steel clearly!) and snaps. I assume the reason for this water retention scheme is to stop the water getting somewhere else and doing even more damage. Hmmm...

 

[Dec]

Did you notice any drain holes like the two in the video below?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS4lis_zJrg

Dec

 

[Mans Best]

No. The whole 'chamber' has a shaped rubber liner that traps water and there weren't any corresponding holes in the liner that I could see.

I don't really fancy stripping it all down again to check (though I'm becoming quite adept!) so maybe if someone on here knows better (and I didn't look hard enough) they can add a comment?

 

[Dec]

I believe any car window that can be moved up and down will allow water in, as you have found out, that’s why there are always drain holes at the bottom of car doors, or, as in your case, the chamber below the glass.

As one side was block up then it is possible that the other side might be blocked too, worth checking regardless of whether or not there are drain holes in that area.

Dec

 

[Mans Best]

I plan on doing a check, but this isn't a case of blocked drain holes that I could see - there weren't any underneath the 'liner' and the latter is impermeable!