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Safari/Astro Window/Door Issues

28 messages,  Last post on Oct 18, 2009 at 1:24 AM

You are in the GMC Safari & Chevy Astro Forum.

What is this discussion about? GMC Safari, Chevrolet Astro, Electrical, Van

Messages Page 2 of 3

#9 of 28 Re: Sagging slider door [spike99] by droptastro

Nov 16, 2007 (9:16 pm)

Replying to: spike99 (Nov 10, 2007 8:24 am)
I didn't even think about the tracks , thank man I think i'll just replace the entire assembly if and when I find it

#10 of 28 Re: Sagging slider door [droptastro] by kntheboys

Mar 22, 2008 (9:11 pm)

Replying to: droptastro (Nov 16, 2007 9:16 pm)
Did you fix the door problem? I'm having the same problem -- except my door also pops out of the track on the roof of the van.
Thanks.

#11 of 28 Re: Passenger Side Power Window [atarifan49] by ProblemKia

Apr 13, 2009 (1:17 am)

Replying to: atarifan49 (Oct 07, 2007 6:47 pm)
I discovered that on my Safari, when I had window problems, the wiring was broken/cracked at the door opening, inside the rubber boot.

#12 of 28 Re: Passenger Side Power Window [ProblemKia] by atarifan49

Apr 13, 2009 (5:50 pm)

Replying to: ProblemKia (Apr 13, 2009 1:17 am)
In my case with the 1995 Astro that I had I could only isolate a broken ground connection between the passenger door and the driver door. I was able to confirm that the wiring going from the switches on both sides were good thru the door connection. Unfortunately, the connection was broken somewhere underneath the dashboard and I was unable to find where the wiring harness it that this ground wire was part of. My only solution to the problem was to wire a ground wire for the passenger switch so that the passenger could raise and lower the window. The driver could only lower the window but had to use the passenger switch to raise it. The factory drawings indicated that there were two harness connectors that the ground traveled thru. I wish I could have found those. But those connectors are embedded inside the dashboard/vehicle frame and are just not easily accessible.
 
Lesson learned from all this: use jumper leads to test the power window motor to confirm it is bad before changing. Changing out the window motor is quite a painful experience because they are riveted into the door frame. Check the functionality of the window switches too to make sure they are good too.

#13 of 28 Re: Sagging slider door [kntheboys] by atarifan49

Apr 13, 2009 (5:52 pm)

Replying to: kntheboys (Mar 22, 2008 9:11 pm)
In my case with the 1995 Astro that I had I could only isolate a broken ground connection between the passenger door and the driver door. I was able to confirm that the wiring going from the switches on both sides were good thru the door connection. Unfortunately, the connection was broken somewhere underneath the dashboard and I was unable to find where the wiring harness it that this ground wire was part of. My only solution to the problem was to wire a ground wire for the passenger switch so that the passenger could raise and lower the window. The driver could only lower the window but had to use the passenger switch to raise it. The factory drawings indicated that there were two harness connectors that the ground traveled thru. I wish I could have found those. But those connectors are embedded inside the dashboard/vehicle frame and are just not easily accessible.
  
Lesson learned from all this: use jumper leads to test the power window motor to confirm it is bad before changing. Changing out the window motor is quite a painful experience because they are riveted into the door frame. Check the functionality of the window switches too to make sure they are good too.

#14 of 28 seek answers to many issues by croom74

Apr 17, 2009 (12:22 pm)

hi all, new to this forum but look very promising to resolve issues I have with my 99 Astro (160K miles)
  
1. Power windows went out around for lunch since about 70K miles. At that time, estimates I got to replace the motor was about $300 each side. So it left it alone. Recently while search on web, I saw pair of motors for Astro power windows $50. Wonder how "simple" is it to replace them myself (I'm no expert with cars).
  
2. Passenger seat the back rest adjustment bar came off from the seat. Now I'm stuck with the bucket seat's back in a single position. Can it be fix or need to replace the whole seat?
  
3. Some of the radio/cassette button lights (1,2,3,4, ...) is not working anymore, is that another whole sale replacement of the entire radio unit or something can be done to have it fix?
  
4. There's a very strange problem when running th AC unit. At time (not always) while the unit is running, all of sudden there's no air flow coming out but I can hear the fan is still going. And then it can be 2 to 15 seconds, the air comes back again. The air is cool. When the air flow is cut off, it sometime appears to be when the vehicle is on the uphill run. Although it not always the case. I had the AC unit checked out, and that small vacuum hose leading to/from the resuvior replaced but the problem came back.
  
Any thoughts, idea or suggestion would be welcome. Thanks in advance.

#15 of 28 Re: seek answers to many issues [croom74] by Steve_01

Apr 17, 2009 (2:21 pm)

Replying to: croom74 (Apr 17, 2009 12:22 pm)
Croom, I can tell you this.
I'm on my third window motor on the drivers side. If you've never replaced a window motor before, the job may be a bit more than you bargain for depending on your mechanical abilities. On the other hand, it's not brain surgery either. You'll need a special tool to pop the plastic door "clips" out. These clips hold the door panel onto the metal door frame. There are a few screws, torx head if I remember correctly, that also need to be removed. The door regulator and motor are riveted in place from the factory so you'll need to drill the rivets out. A new motor comes with screws and sometimes rivets as well. I have a Haynes repair manual and to be quite honest, it doesn't really give you a very good idea of how involved replacing the motor can be. You will have to rely mostly on your ability to figure it out as you go. The last motor I installed came from e-bay. $20.00. I don't recommend buying a motor from e-bay. This motor barely moves the window. While it's true that I could have returned the motor for another one, the problem is that then you have to wait for a replacement motor to arrive, then you have to do the job a second time. My advice is to try to find a GM dealer that might sell the motor at a reasonable price (good luck). At the very least, try to buy it from a local auto parts store that can provide you with an OEM motor. At least that way, if you get a bad replacement motor, you can take it right back for an exchange... assuming that they didn't have to special order the part in the first place. Before you go out and buy a motor, you should make sure that the problem is not something like a bad switch or a bad ground as explained in earlier posts on this thread. Wish you lived in my neck of the woods-- I'd do both sides for you for half of what your estimate came to. One last thing, I recommend you buy just one motor if you think you are going to attempt this repair. That way, your only out the money for the one motor in case you get in too deep. Hope this is helpful advice and I wish you good luck if you do decide to have a go at it.
 
Steve

#16 of 28 Re: seek answers to many issues [Steve_01] by croom74

Apr 18, 2009 (9:42 am)

Replying to: Steve_01 (Apr 17, 2009 2:21 pm)
Hey Steve,
 
That's a really good advise. If I have to get special tools and drill out in order to get parts out, it sounds like I should be prepare to have an alternative transportation in case I'm stuck half way on the job. That happened to me once when I was trying to replace the water pump many years ago on the 79 Toyota.
I might have to stuck with inoperable power windows (as I did for the pass 100K) unless I can find someone to replace it at a much reasonable cost.

#17 of 28 changing window motor on Safari by 2hawks

Apr 18, 2009 (4:09 pm)

I have done this twice with no special tools at all. It takes longer to get the door panel off then it did to drill out 3 rivets and replace the motor, I got mine from a junk yard for 25 bucks, the last one I replaced wore out the drive gears and not the motor, good thing I kept the old one, changed out the drive gears and its as good as new. If you can change your oil, you can change this motor. I used metal screws to replace the rivets, just in case I ever had to do it again. good luck, if you have any questions just post them. BTW mine is a 94, with 160K and runs like a top.

#18 of 28 Re: changing window motor on Safari [2hawks] by croom74

Apr 19, 2009 (3:43 pm)

Replying to: 2hawks (Apr 18, 2009 4:09 pm)
Ok, thanks for the encouragement. I'll wait for my son return from college in a month so I can use his car just in case I need more time to put back the door/window.

Messages Page 2 of 3

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