Coworker has a 2004 accord in decent shape - needs help, figured I'd ask you guys

Z Stig · 05-29-2013, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmhenderson

One other question - she has an issue with her driver's side window. Very likely the motor but it could just be the regulator.

I took a look at it and it seemed fine but she said sometimes it "just doesn't work" and she has to keep hammering the button to get it to work.

Even I can install a window motor. Any chance it could be something else? Her mechanic wants to charge her a fee to "diagnose" and to add insult to injury, they won't let her source her own parts. I'm afraid if I install a new motor and it turns out to be a short somewhere, she'd end up getting screwed.

Were you able to pull the door panel off and check out the wiring connected to the switch itself? If it is a short, it could be as easy as replacing the connector. Some of the parts store staff will actually have some good insight and possibly be willing to help her diagnose the problem as well.

eastwest2300 · 05-29-2013, 03:41 PM

Good luck installing a window motor, its not as easy as it seems, every car is different..

Chuck33079 · 05-29-2013, 03:41 PM

The fact it works intermittently makes me think it's a switch or wiring issue, rather than the motor.

dmhenderson · 05-29-2013, 03:42 PM

Problem is that I have no idea how to shoot it down to the trouble and I don't want her buying parts she doesn't need. Could be the switch, motor or regulator or a short somewhere between the switch and the motor. I suppose she could return what we don't use...

Chuck33079 · 05-29-2013, 03:44 PM

Check the wires and grease the connections. Rule out the stuff that's free to fix. Then, the amount of effort you should put in to this is directly related to how hot she is.

eastwest2300 · 05-29-2013, 03:45 PM

make out a list of possible problems, and check each one.

eastwest2300 · 05-29-2013, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Check the wires and grease the connections. Rule out the stuff that's free to fix. Then, the amount of effort you should put in to this is directly related to how hot she is.

dmhenderson · 05-29-2013, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z Stig

Were you able to pull the door panel off and check out the wiring connected to the switch itself? If it is a short, it could be as easy as replacing the connector. Some of the parts store staff will actually have some good insight and possibly be willing to help her diagnose the problem as well.

Haven't done this yet but this is a good idea. I think I'll start here. Thanks for the advice.

MyKindaGuise · 05-29-2013, 04:04 PM

Plastidip her bumper!

eastwest2300 · 05-29-2013, 04:08 PM

She could always take it to D&V, I hear they do really good work.

sixpax · 05-29-2013, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyKindaGuise

Plastidip her bumper!

Not a bad idea actually ... for that matter look into plasti-dipping the whole car ... or a combo of plasti-dip and vinyl wrap it. Be way cheaper than even a cheap maaco paint job.

Cmike2780 · 05-29-2013, 04:25 PM

I say save the money and leave the cosmetic stuff as is. Fix the mechanical stuff and the car will last a few more years. She can use that cash towards a new car the longer she keeps this one. These cars also hold value pretty well. We're talking about a Honda Accord here, not some classic that history would miss. The motors on these things are near bulletproof and last a really long time if maintained properly. I guarantee upgrading brakes, tires, etc..etc... will be far more beneficial to her wallet than a shiny new hood and bumper.

gomer_110 · 05-29-2013, 04:30 PM

Had a similar problem with a window on the Saturn I drove in high school. Ended up being a dead spot in the motor winding. Her banging on the switch probably jars the motor just enough to get it off the dead spot.

SouthArk370Z · 05-29-2013, 05:15 PM

A cheap multimeter and a schematic/diagram will allow you to troubleshoot the problem (if you know very much about automotive electrical, you may not need the schematic). Going by the symptoms, I'm guessing it's the switch or the connector that plugs into the switch.

dmhenderson · 05-30-2013, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastwest2300

She could always take it to D&V, I hear they do really good work.

She's not looking to pay anywhere near what they'd charge her.

05-29-2013, 03:41 PM	#17 (permalink)
eastwest2300 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: South FL Posts: 90,972 Drives: '16QX70/'21 Supra3.0 Rep Power: 2684550	Good luck installing a window motor, its not as easy as it seems, every car is different.. __________________ Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

05-29-2013, 03:41 PM	#18 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29538	The fact it works intermittently makes me think it's a switch or wiring issue, rather than the motor. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

05-29-2013, 03:42 PM	#19 (permalink)
dmhenderson A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,930 Drives: AWD TT 370z Rep Power: 26	Problem is that I have no idea how to shoot it down to the trouble and I don't want her buying parts she doesn't need. Could be the switch, motor or regulator or a short somewhere between the switch and the motor. I suppose she could return what we don't use... __________________

05-29-2013, 03:44 PM	#20 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29538	Check the wires and grease the connections. Rule out the stuff that's free to fix. Then, the amount of effort you should put in to this is directly related to how hot she is. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

05-29-2013, 03:45 PM	#21 (permalink)
eastwest2300 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: South FL Posts: 90,972 Drives: '16QX70/'21 Supra3.0 Rep Power: 2684550	make out a list of possible problems, and check each one. __________________ Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

05-29-2013, 04:04 PM	#24 (permalink)
MyKindaGuise A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,029 Drives: 11' 370z Sprt M6 Rep Power: 19	Plastidip her bumper! __________________ \|445whp398tq\| \|BW S259 Turbo\|3" Downpipe\Exhaust\|ID1000\|AeroMotive\|Tial\|EcuTek\|BC BR\|S0-4\|MaffFab\| MKGs-Single-Turbo

05-29-2013, 04:08 PM	#25 (permalink)
eastwest2300 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: South FL Posts: 90,972 Drives: '16QX70/'21 Supra3.0 Rep Power: 2684550	She could always take it to D&V, I hear they do really good work. __________________ Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

05-29-2013, 04:25 PM	#27 (permalink)
Cmike2780 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 5,059 Drives: slowwww Rep Power: 29	I say save the money and leave the cosmetic stuff as is. Fix the mechanical stuff and the car will last a few more years. She can use that cash towards a new car the longer she keeps this one. These cars also hold value pretty well. We're talking about a Honda Accord here, not some classic that history would miss. The motors on these things are near bulletproof and last a really long time if maintained properly. I guarantee upgrading brakes, tires, etc..etc... will be far more beneficial to her wallet than a shiny new hood and bumper. YOUCANTZME and chieuxuan like this. __________________ [09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R] [ArchitTEK Photography]

05-29-2013, 04:30 PM	#28 (permalink)
gomer_110 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Perrysburg, OH Posts: 17,992 Drives: '11 Nismo #528 GM Rep Power: 36941	Had a similar problem with a window on the Saturn I drove in high school. Ended up being a dead spot in the motor winding. Her banging on the switch probably jars the motor just enough to get it off the dead spot. __________________ '11 370Z Nismo #528 Fast Intentions \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| Uprev \| CSF \| Zspeed \| Z1 Motorsports \| AST \| Swift \| SPC \| SPL \| Whiteline \| Hotchkis \| Bride \| Schroth \| Robispec \| Cusco \| Nismo \| Volk \| Forgestar \| Hoosier \| RJM '17 Titan Bone Stock

05-29-2013, 05:15 PM	#29 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	A cheap multimeter and a schematic/diagram will allow you to troubleshoot the problem (if you know very much about automotive electrical, you may not need the schematic). Going by the symptoms, I'm guessing it's the switch or the connector that plugs into the switch. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
So I figured this deserved its own thread: Naeki-san's Z34	dmhenderson	Mid-Atlantic Region	41	05-22-2013 03:53 PM
small photoshoot with my coworker..	captain-nok	Exterior & Interior	8	06-08-2012 02:49 AM
Accord times(x) 4!! Sickest Accord VIDEO EVER! 4 New Accord Coupes on Vossen CV3/CV2	jav@vossen	Other Vehicles	18	02-20-2012 05:50 PM
I think my coworker/roomie jacked my glasses	FreshFish	The Lounge (Off Topic)	9	08-31-2011 09:17 PM
figured i'd introduce myself now...	4ever2morrow	New Forum Member	3	07-23-2011 06:29 PM