Loose Regulator Cable
 

So I had the typical issue of the window (drivers side) not going up/down without assistance so I opened up the door to take a look. I figured it would be related to the clip that seems to always fail but they looked good on this door.

I then checked the regulator and all seemed OK, meaning I didnt see anything obviously wrong. But when I checked the tension in the regulator cable there seemed to be a decent amount. Watch the short video clip below and you can see what I am talking about.

CLICK TO PLAY - Note the jerking in the motion is me controlling it from the switch.
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps47ad3586.jpg

So can this be fixed by removing the slack in the cable? Is it done by adjusting the nut on the regulator cable itself?

Thanks

Re: Loose Regulator Cable
 

There is a nut/bolt on the regulator (similar to a bike brake cable adjustment) but I'm not sure it will have enough travel to get out the amount of slack you have. You might have a cracked plastic idler pulley, a cracked guide for the cable covering ends, or the cable is just stretched. It could also be slack enough that the cable is not winding correctly on the regulator motor - if it is too loose it will not stay in the tracks on the regulator motor pulley which can cause it to bind up.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...suby/41946.jpg

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...suby/41949.jpg

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...suby/41950.jpg

Re: Loose Regulator Cable
 

The pulleys look good and didnt show cracks or chips when I moved them around with my finger. The grooves on the motor side look well and each cable is neatly on its own track. Pics below:

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps4939b474.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps82ff26fc.jpg

I just wanted to check before I messed with the cable tension myself.

Re: Loose Regulator Cable
 

So I adjusted what I could on the cable but the slack still remained. I even put some tension on the wire to see if that would help but it did not. I was able to detach the motor (3 screws) from the door panel and pop it out a bit to inspect but nothing looked awry. Because of this I am wondering if the issue lies with the motor was slipping.

Unfortunately the motor is quite $$ and I have a feeling the screws holding the motor to the bracket are not going to be easily removed.....

Re: Loose Regulator Cable
 

After getting the motor detached from the hosing bracket / regulator I saw what the problem was....

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...psf576993b.jpg

As a temporary fix I inserted some metal bits into now collapsed gap to try to recreate the motors square peg. I then added some electrical tape around the motors peg to help fill the gap. The window now goes up and down but it looks like I will need to find a better solution.

Re: Loose Regulator Cable
 

Interesting! That's a first as far as I know - have not heard of the pulley disintegrating like that.

Re: Loose Regulator Cable
 

Im sure u can get new (used )motor out of svx that is sitting at Crazy Rays junk yard in Edgewood on RT 40(pulaski hgwy).It is 30 min drive from u.SVX sits right at the entrance to junk yard.

Re: Loose Regulator Cable
 

I didnt see a way for the plastic piece to be removed without being destroyed.

But im more surprised about Crazy Rays. Its actually really close to me and I never knew (15 mins). I havent removed the regulator on a car before so I will have to find a guide. Then ill head over and see whats left on that SVX.

Re: Loose Regulator Cable
 

i dont think u can drive from Fulton to Edgewood in 15 min:)no way:)

Re: Loose Regulator Cable
 

Bart,

The Crazy Ray's he is talking about is in Jessup, MD.

About 12 miles from him and easily 15 minutes. Crazy Ray has about 5 locations.
.

Re: Loose Regulator Cable
 

I didnt realize there were that many locations :p

Re: Loose Regulator Cable
 

take I95 n to 152 east take left at rt40 .yard is on the left about 1.5 miles.