1984 300TD Stuck Window Question

[aaronkobi]

New and nervous owner of a 1984 300TD... figuring out all of the little kinks... seems like a new one pops up daily. Seriously though, great car, just needs some TLC.

Today on my way to work, I had the drivers side window down. When I arrived, I pressed the button to raise the electric window. It closed all the way, then I heard a "snap". When I tried to lower the window... no luck. It sounds like something cracked when it reached the top of the track. The window slides up and down freely if you push it with your hand, it no longer engages the gears.

My questions are,

1) how difficult is it to remove the panels to get inside the window... any tips?

2) has anybody had a similar problem where the electric drive still works but the gears stripped or broke? Is this a matter of replacing the whole regulator, or can I just replace a small piece.

Thanks in advance for your help. This is going to be an interesting journey...

[Biodiesel300TD]

You probably snapped either the gear on the window motor, or the regulator might have broken. The regulator is more likely because you can push the window up and down without the motor going. They are made of pot metal and bend and break easily. Removing the door pannels on these cars is pretty easy. Just becareful when pulling it off the door, the map pocket has a clip on the back that slides into a hole on the door. To get it loose you must push up, towards the top of the door. If you don't you will break the clip.

[Jordan G]

yeah - lots of threads on this and IIRC, dieselgiant has a good tutorial on how to remove the door panels with pictures.

http://www.dieselgiant.com/mercedesmastervacuumswitchinstall.htm

I had a very similar problem on my '81 - busted regulator (motor was fine) and I bought a used one here from another forum member for like $20 shipped.

[Brian Carlton]

To prevent this from happening in the future, please realize that the motors don't have limit switches. When the glass reaches the top or the bottom of its travel, the motor develops full torque and tries to twist the regulator into a pretzel. The gear teeth are not designed for this abuse.

So, get your finger off the button when the glass is 1/16" away from the stop at the top or the bottom of the glass..........a bit challenging........yes.......but, consider the alternative.

[aaronkobi]

This is great. Thanks for the advice guys... and yes, still learning all the many little tricks that this fine car has in store...

[aaronkobi]

Got the regulator out, and sure enough... the 2 rivets on the regulator gear are snapped. Seems that somebody already tried to fix the problem with aluminum rivets (don't ever do this, it won't last!). Drilled out the rivet holes, put in steel pins (made from 7mm bolts) and had the thing welded at a local shop for $40. Hopefully this will solve the problem once and for all. Everything else (including the plastic track guides) was in perfect condition.

Thanks again for the tips.