It doesn't just rain - it pours...

buster67

New Member
Messages
24
Many thanks for the messages against my front bumper ding.

Yesterday I was all ready to go and get the annual registration done, insurance sorted, police report for my bumper damage and low and behold the drivers side door fell in! As some of you know I'm in Dubai, so driving home last evening in 40 degree heat with no side window was a just little unpleasant.

I had a feeling it was going to go after the window stopped dipping on door opening. I've already had the same happen on the passenger side and replaced the window regulator so not a big deal - just a huge pain in the *** and further delay whilst I get the part from the UK etc!

Having now had both go, is this a common problem? It does sound pretty bad when it happens - a big twang, snap and then the window dropping into the door cavity.
 

lozcb

Member
Messages
12,304
Many thanks for the messages against my front bumper ding.

Yesterday I was all ready to go and get the annual registration done, insurance sorted, police report for my bumper damage and low and behold the drivers side door fell in! As some of you know I'm in Dubai, so driving home last evening in 40 degree heat with no side window was a just little unpleasant.

I had a feeling it was going to go after the window stopped dipping on door opening. I've already had the same happen on the passenger side and replaced the window regulator so not a big deal - just a huge pain in the *** and further delay whilst I get the part from the UK etc!

Having now had both go, is this a common problem? It does sound pretty bad when it happens - a big twang, snap and then the window dropping into the door cavity.

The good news if any buster is that the side door glass is extremely good value at £38.00 plus vat from Marranello , i had occasion to buy one just before xmas as mine shattered overnight during the freezing snow conditions , just get the techs to make sure they dont damage the microswitch when cleaning away the remaining glass insode the door

regards loz
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
Never seen that before, maybe the glass has just popped out of its lifer, might be worth just whipping off the door panel and having a look, but guess if its the same as the other one you had, you already know the cause, do share.
 

alfamaserman

Junior Member
Messages
185
I'm currently waiting for a replacement window lift [now 2 weeks] since it stopped dipping on opening the door. No warning at all but I didn't break the glass. None available in the UK, car off the road. Had to go to Stanford Hall in my Alfa and missed out on the Maserati mob.
Really miffed - car has only done 4000 miles!

4200CC
 

lozcb

Member
Messages
12,304
I'm currently waiting for a replacement window lift [now 2 weeks] since it stopped dipping on opening the door. No warning at all but I didn't break the glass. None available in the UK, car off the road. Had to go to Stanford Hall in my Alfa and missed out on the Maserati mob.
Really miffed - car has only done 4000 miles!

4200CC

are we actually talking about the microswitch not working here


regards loz
 

lozcb

Member
Messages
12,304
That was my second thought, Loz [after the main window switch] but Graypaul say it's the window motor.
J.

Far be it for me to say the dealers take people on , but if the window goes up and down then then carrier and motor is fine , its the microswitch that makes it drop and rise the 20mm believ me ive been there only a few months ago


regards loz
 

alfamaserman

Junior Member
Messages
185
Far be it for me to say the dealers take people on , but if the window goes up and down then then carrier and motor is fine , its the microswitch that makes it drop and rise the 20mm believ me ive been there only a few months ago


regards loz
The window won't go up or down at all, whether dipping or fully opening/closing.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
It sounds like the nylon gear in the regulator has stripped its teeth, a very common fault on these cars.
 

alfamaserman

Junior Member
Messages
185
It sounds like the nylon gear in the regulator has stripped its teeth, a very common fault on these cars.
Thanks for the observation, Matt. So I can look forward to the other one failing as well - very poor on a car that cost somebody else nearly £70K. BTW I'm still waiting for the part from Italy.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
Yes, it is poor, you can get an Alfa GTV part and remove the reg and put it in your lift mechanism, but its easier just to wait for the correct part.

The reason the gear strips is because the windows are not automatic...when you press to close, it gets to the top and is forcibly stopped by the weather seal. This put immense strain on the gearing and eventually, it gives out. It is always this part of the gear that goes.
 

buster67

New Member
Messages
24
As a follow on to my issue of the dropped drivers side window - I at least need to get it back up in a closed or almost closed position. I desperately need to get the car booked in for the other damage but as mentioned, the registration is due (kind of like an MOT here in Dubai, but not so stringent). Is there any chance that if I do the door card removal, I'll be able to access the window, or is this likely to be a bigger job than I am imagining?

Appreciate any pointers?

Many thanks!
 

alfamaserman

Junior Member
Messages
185
As a follow on to my issue of the dropped drivers side window - I at least need to get it back up in a closed or almost closed position. I desperately need to get the car booked in for the other damage but as mentioned, the registration is due (kind of like an MOT here in Dubai, but not so stringent). Is there any chance that if I do the door card removal, I'll be able to access the window, or is this likely to be a bigger job than I am imagining?

Appreciate any pointers?

Many thanks!
Firstly, sorry to have hijacked your thread but I did start off by empathising with you. Secondly, although the local main dealer is doing my window motor I understand that there is no adjustment to the window position if the motor is knackered. There is a tutorial on here re the door card removal posted by Loz.
[At last the replacement motor/carrier has arrived from Italy and I'm booked in tomorrow.]
J.
 

buster67

New Member
Messages
24
Absolutely no issue on the hijacking and all responses and empathy warmly welcomed. Clearly there is quite some issue with the window mechanism and some interesting points noted over this and other threads. My concern now is whether I can access the window just by removing the door card. I did find the removal link and it led me to think this was not going to be straightforward or even accessible without dismantling further. I don't want to start something I can't finish and this is made worse by 40 degree heat and 70 percent humidity at the moment and no A/C garage!!!