HMEN2007

Recently, I had an issue with my power window where the window would go down about 6 inches when trying to raise it. This was caused by a faulty window regulator that was providing enough resistance to kick in the anti-pinch mechanism. A possible solution is to lubricate the regulator tracks but given the amount of effort required to get to the regulator, I decided to just go ahead and replace it altogether.

For this project you will need some torx wrenches/sockets, pliers, and a plastic putty knife to remove the door panel and rubber grommet without scratching the paint.

There already is an excellent write-up of how to remove the door panel [URL="https://www.audiforum.ca/a3-67/a3-door-panel-removal-diy-pics-62864/"] so I won’t go into that detail here.

Upon removal of the door panel, the removal of the window regulator consists of the following steps:

1) Remove window motor
- Undo 3 screws holding the motor
- Pull red tabs on the electrical connectors and pull out to disconnect from motor
- Pull motor straight out of regulator gear

2) Disconnect regulator clips
- Use pliers to squeeze the 3 clips holding the regulator gear to the door
- Push rubber grommet (green circle in diagram) having the wire leading to the power mirror into the door.

Refer to photo 1 for the locations of the screws.

3) Disconnect the regulator
- Remove the four torx screws holding the track in place (identified by yellow circles on diagram)
- Undo regulator clip near the center of the door
- Use pliers to squeeze the clip holding the regulator gear to the door

4) Window frame removal
- Remove five T45 torx screws to loosen the top window frame from the rest of the door. These are identified in the red circles on the diagram. The two on the outer edge of the door are hidden. Remove the plug and rubber weatherproofing to uncover them. There is also a third hidden torx screw on the inside edge of the door. To access you will need to remove the triangular shaped cover near the mirror.
- Pull up on window frame to remove the regulator

Refer to photo 2

5) Remove the regulator from the window frame
- Lower the window by hand if not already lowered
- Remove the two torx screws holding the window to the regulator
- Pull the window down to slide out of window frame
- Note the position of the regulator relative to the frame to install the new regulator in the same position. Remove the two torx screws holding the regulator to the frame.

Refer to photo 3.

6) Install the new regulator
- Attach the regulator to the frame using the two torx screws
- Attach the window by sliding into the window frame and aligning the holes in the glass with the regulator mounts
- Attach the glass to the regulator with the two torx screws (do not over tighten)

7) Reinstall the frame
- Remove the 3 screws holding the speaker to the door. No need to disconnect the wire.
- Carefully insert the frame back into the door to avoid scratching the window
- Guide power mirror grommet and wire back into the door (using the hole freed by the speaker removal).
- Reattach torx screws holding the frame. You may need to push slightly on the top of the frame to ensure a good seal with the body. Tighten screws.
- Reach in through speaker access hole and attach the regulator clips. Reinstall the screws previously removed. Test window operation prior to completely installing door panel.

Hope this helps.

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Hi

thanks for e detailed guide on replacing the regulator , the only bad thing i got after replacement that airbag light became on all time

tried to remove the battery cable but things gets worse, now i have airbag, ESP, driving wheel on

cab you please advise how to remove those warning messages

thanks

chrischipsaway

Thanks very much for posting this excellent step by step description and pictures/illustrations. Don’t think I would have managed the job with out your help. Thank you very much 😉