99 C280 Left Rear Window failure.
 

Hi all,

'99 C280

Rear Window failure (stuck in down position).

Fuses are good.

Center dash switch and rear door mounted switch will not operate the window.

Question: Anyone know of a good "how to" remove the rear door panel (so I can test the motor and or regulator)? I've removed the screw near the lock and the speaker cover... hunting for the other screws but I am not wanting to damage the interior. I have removed the little cover plate that sits under the door handle... I suspect that there are screws under the vertical handle but cannot figure out how to access them. Pics or video of how to do this???


D.

Yeah... did it. Two "hidden" screws can be found behind the plastic "vertical" handle on the rear door in a location similar to that found on this newer 203 model:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yrYGPVO_Ng&feature=related

Door panel is held in place with the standard snap in plastic trim/door panel snaps (aside from the two hidden screws and the one small screw up near the door clasp). Simple to remove once you know what is going on.

Window is in the up position now. Taps on the motor assembly once it was removed (drilled out rivets ) allowed the motor to spin intermittently so I re-assemmbled the entire unit and prior to replacing the door panel pressed "up" and tap tap tap... window returned to closed. Obviously I am in need of a new door motor unit. Anyone have a cheap option (anyone parting out a 99 C280)? Local Mercedes dealership wants around $400 canuck for a new one.

I did not open up the circuit board panel on the motor unit though as it was held shut with "security" five point (tamper proof screws) screws... I could not find a driver for 'em locally and did not want to drill them out (or dremel a groove etc). Anyone know if the board/control unit can be replaced or repaired? If it can I'll hunt down a security driver set and take a look.

My left rear motor went bad also. I managed to take aparts the motor enclosure since I am an electronics guy so I wanted to see what happened. But the board looked pristine. Some people had suggested water leakes in and shorts it out but this was still clean and dry. Nothing was burned up that I could see under magnification. It is CAN controlled so not really serviceable. I got a "new" one from a junk yard for 60.00. Be careful of the EBay replacement ones. There were some non CAN types sold in Canada and other places. They will say it fits but it doesn't. Unless you are in Canada I suppose...

mpolli, Thanks for the input! :)

Have you any feedback re. the rebuilt units by "A1 Cardone":
http://www.*********.com/catalog/1999/mercedes/c280/body_mechanical_-ar-_trim/window_motor.html

Just going off of memory that looks like it. I would confirm with them that it is the CAN bus type. That is a good deal if it is.