Power Window and Trunk Release Issues on a 1996 Buick Century

[natsmith9]

I have a 1996 Buick Century and the front passenger side window will roll all the way down, but when you try to roll it up it will go up about an inch and then die...wait a few minutes and try again it'll go up about another inch. It'll do that until you get it rolled up. Second, when I got my Century a little over a year ago the trunk release worked, but the one day it just stopped working. When you press the button you hear a faint clicking like it's trying to release the latch, but nothing happens. Any ideas on how to fix these problems?

[NTX5467]

If the window goes down fine, but has trouble being rolled back up, it could be a window regulator issue. It sounds like the regulator is binding somewhere and causing the thermal cutout on the motor to do its job. Probably need to remove the door panel to inspect the regulator asm as it goes up and down. I'm not sure how the door panel comes off, but sometimes it's better to let somebody else do those things.

Probably need to check the voltage at the release solenoid of the deck lid release. Might be that it's working fine, but the housing that holds it (which would react to the "release" torque of the solenoid) could have fractured with time and use. Again, it just needs to be observed during operation to see where the problem might be.

Enjoy!

NTX5467

[Reatta Man]

There are several plastic guides that control the movement of the glass as it goes up and down. Sounds like one or more of those plastic guides has cracked, allowing the window to move off-track as it goes up and down. As suggested, if the window binds, it will definitely cause the motor to stop as it overheats.

A quick test is to put both front windows about half-way down, then move the glass in and out with your hand. If the driver's side barely moves (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch) but the passenger side moves much farther in and out, that would indicate the guides are broken or missing.

Joe

[natsmith9]

Ok, here's an update. I tried to roll the window down and in the process it just gave out. Could it be the motor itself?