EnglishFirebird

Hi there, I'm new and stuck with a couple of problems.

I am trying to sort out the passenger door lock and power windows, and tried to take off the door card. I remember this being an easy job on my old '85 Firebird, but on my new '92 this is not coming off easily.

I have taken off all the hardware and popped out all the plastic lugs around the sides and bottom. I just need to take it off the top.

The Chilton manual says:
"To remove the trim panel, push the trim upward and outboard to disengage from the door inner panel at the beltline"

The Haynes manual says:
"The top section is secured at the window channel. Once the retaining clips are pried free, lift the trim panel up and away from the door".

I tried to lift the trim panel up and outward, but it's stuck firnly in place. It slides outwards a centimetre but no more, and will come up a bit at the lock end but nowhere else.

I understand from the previous owner that the window winder has not worked in a while, so it could just be that the rubber has stuck to the window, but it feels more solid than that.

Can anyone give a better 'how to' than Haynes or Chilton to tell me what I should be looking for just to unhook the inner door trim panel?

I'd be very grateful!

Alex

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P.S.
I also have a starting problem to fix, will post if I can't resolve with the FAQ's!

hgffrank

wow your in a bad spot, usually to remove the trim the window needs to be in the down position. The best advice I can give( I have removed MANY of these panels), is to push harder. Obviously you are in a catch 22, cause if you dont push hard enough, it wont come out, and if you push too hard you will break the trim. I honestly dont know if you can get the trim off with the window up. I would try and splice a power and ground wire into the wires going to the door and pray that the motor and linkage still works and that the problem is just a switch or something. I would try everything to get that window down.

You said you have done one of these before so you are probably fairly familiar with the inner layout. Can you pull the panel away at the bottom enough to get inside the door carcass and unbolt the motor so you can push the window down by hand? I would try that if I couldnt get the motor powered up and running.

RocsRose86

try and use a 45* degree pick and pull it up gently at each end and just work it. some have screws behind the window trim so u have to watch.

EnglishFirebird

Thanks for your help and sympathy!

That makes sense given what I saw and felt.

I will try to fit the new motor around the trim and then get the wiondow down.

Meanwhile... any idea why my car sometimes won't start without 2 batteries in parallel?????

Cheers!

Alex

hgffrank

Most likely cause is the starter motor itself. Take it off and go to a parts store where they can test it. when installing, make sure to clean mounting surfaces well to insure proper ground path. Get a better battery. Try a redtop or yellowtop Ultima. I have the yellowtop and think its amazing.