Window problem poll

[continentalgt]

I want to try and obtain a little more information regarding window faults with a view to coming up with some sort of a fix.
It looks like and makes sense that these problems usually occur during the colder damper months or wet spells during other times of the year, obviously there will be exceptions but is this generally the case?
All car doors are manufactured with drain holes in the bottom because manufacturers accept the fact that water will get inside the door and so they just deal with the problem, Some Megane CC doors and rear windows will let more water past the seals than others
I don't have problems with my windows on my 04 plate yet but feel it is inevitable so I want to try to find a solution.
I removed the door card on the passenger door and it was obvious someone had been there before probably for a window problem.
I removed the window controller and tightly wrapped self amalgamating tape around and all along the controller to attempt to seal it from the ingress of water, I carried on seamlessly down over electrical plug and socket and continued down the wiring for about 150mm making sure the wiring sloped down to form a drip loop.
Only time might tell if it has been successful but after I had put it all together I wished I had smeared silicone grease around the outside of the connector that attaches to the motor and will do that on the next one.

Any info relating to the weather conditions during or prior to a window failure would be appreciated.

[ChrisM]

GREAT IDEA!!
Windows seem to be a massive issue with these cars.

My window problem is mechanical but no idea why, always the same rear passenger quaterlight reg, it is on its 3rd now, I have number 4 in the garage waiting to go in, at present Number 3 is bolted in place [still].
What is going on:
motor starts making awuful grindy sounds, glass goes down a bit on switch but then stops, you can lift glass up with your hand, eventually glass wont move at all, last reg [Number 3] worked fine for around 3 months, dropped roof, put up all windows and drove home, halfway home therewas an almighty BANG, like some one had shot at the rear glass, when I got home put up roof but the usual offender didn't move, this rear reg has now got two bolts through it holding up the glass, cables have been removed so motor spins freely.

What Happens:
The motor some how gets its cables crossed when putting window up and down, this then crushes the trackes on the regulator winding wheel which makes the cable cross over worse, eventually the cables lock an dthe glass goes nowhere, motor stil lturns so puts stress on the plastic cable mounts on the regulator wheich break resulting in the BANG! Why this happens I have no idea, the cable wheel has tracks inside it the cables are guided around these tracks for the opening and closing mechanism, these seems to be no adjustment on them at all, Number 4 reg is from an 07 car so perhaps it may be modified somehow inside [doutful mind you]

Interesting point:
I can now hear the rear reg motor running, strangly sometimes it just clicks from the door switches both up and down, other ocasions you can get it to run through the open and close procedure, which leads me to think maybe there is a problem somewhere, in the form of this reg not winding in [or out] the cable correctly so when the motor is sent in the other direction the cables are forced to find there way around the wheel with no groves possibly pulling both cables in [out], so they cross, maybe!.

I just find it strange that it has had 3 including the origonal all on the same side and place, all broke in the same way, No 4 is from an 07 car which I don't really want to fit at present until I can track this issue, it maybe related to the window issues people are having where it works from the center consul but not the switches, some even have revesed operation issues from door switches, maybe driver door letting water in to the back of the switch gear.

[continentalgt]

This might be a stupid question but what do you mean by "reg", do you mean the actual mechanical window raising mechanism or the motor/controller?

Also, to everyone else, please and let me know what went wrong with your windows and what were the circumstances even if you had the repair under warranty?
If we can get a clearer picture of the main problems we might be able to come up with some improvements.
In the case of window motor controllers, If you take the problem to Renault they will strictly follow procedure and just fit a direct replacement that will probably also succumb eventually, we on the other hand are able to do what we think will be more effective.
If the problem is mainly down to the ingress of water we should be able to come up with a viable improvement.

[ChrisM]

Reg = window regulator, which is the whole mechanism, for the rear windows the "reg" is kind of steel plate, with slots in it [VERY basic discription], the window runner has guides in it so it follows the slots on the plate which gives the rear window its tilt and lift, the motor is at the bottom, the whole thing is cable driven with 2 cables which seem to wrap alternatly around the guided spindle inside the motor, there is an ECU which sits ontop of the motor, as far as I am aware when you go to Renault and purchase the regulator you get the whole shooting match apart from the mount plate at the top of the regulator which also acts as a kind of water shoot and seal guide and of course the glass, the motor and cables are not availble as seperate items, the glass bolts to a type of clamp on the window runner and you can adjust this glass via the 3 x 10mm nuts it will lift and tilt a little in every direction to get a good seal on your roof and door seal.
It looks nothing like the front door regualtors nor does it look like the regulator from the rear door of the hatch, so in the case of the CC the reg is the complete mechanism including motor.
Sorry my fault, motor trade we just lable with the most conveniant phrase, to break it down correctly it would be lifter motor and lifter, the word regulator has been superceeded by the posher Lifter these days...
Also! the rear regulator from a Meg 1 Cabrio wont fit, it looks very close to the CC but not quite the same. Just incase anyone though of buying one for thier CC.

[continentalgt]

Really wish I lived closer as it sounds an interesting if very very frustrating fault but unfortunately I'm right down on the south coast.
I was a design and development engineer up until a few years ago fault finding and also improving the efficiency of high speed manufacturing equipment that we made in house so I'm pretty used to these kind of things, problem is it cant be easily diagnosed remotely.
I haven't got as far as removing the complete regulator yet and guess I hope I never will so cant be much help I'm afraid.

For everyone else, I'm beginning to think that with the exception of ChrisM window problems are a myth as no one appears to have had problems so how about posting how long you have had your CC without experiencing window problems.

Many thanks

[ChrisM]

Only other window problem I foresee is the passenger front, which lags behind the rest (apart from the passenger rear which does not move) closes ok and silently but just slower the rest are up but this window is about 10mm behind, not worried about it yet but the wifes Meg Coupe driver window did the same and it packed in, middle of winter - Down of course, she had to drive home (25 miles) in pouring rain with an open window - needless to say she was not impressed!
I have seen quite a few people on here with window problems, funny how they all disapeare when asked for some information. nobody ever comes back with a "fix" especially to the window buttons problem, so they have either had them fixed and not disclosing or they still have the same problem just living with it...

[continentalgt]

I have seen quite a few people on here with window problems, funny how they all disapeare when asked for some information. nobody ever comes back with a "fix" especially to the window buttons problem, so they have either had them fixed and not disclosing or they still have the same problem just living with it...

Guess you must be right, still I'm going to press on with finding ways of sealing the drive units from water, seems the motors rarely give problems if you believe the numerous posts on other sites.
My problem is that I have to do the work outside as my garage is too small and full of machinery meaning I have to pick the right weather and start a job knowing I can complete it that day.
Your problem sounds like it might be an alignment issue putting strain on the cables and motor, it would be too much of a coincidence for all 3 regulators to be faulty so I guess your gonna have to carefully check your window reg mountings and weather sealing strips.
Maybe you could fit the next regulator with the motor removed so that you could align the window operating it up and down by hand and check it moves freely, once accomplished refit the motor without disturbing anything.
Having said that I don't know if its possible because I haven't actually seen a regulator out of the car, if you still have one of your broken ones lying around I wouldn't mind getting hold of it to play around with, I'd be happy to pay the postage if you were willing to send it me.

[jak01]

Drivers side window failed on mine last year, but Renault agreed to pay 90% (I think, may have been 95), So i can't help with cause in my case other than it was the regulator.

Window problems are by far and away the biggest problem with the Megane. Thankfully, not too many roof faults!!

John

[continentalgt]

Drivers side window failed on mine last year, but Renault agreed to pay 90% (I think, may have been 95), So i can't help with cause in my case other than it was the regulator.

Window problems are by far and away the biggest problem with the Megane. Thankfully, not too many roof faults!!

John

Thanks for taking the time to reply jak01, any input is appreciated.

Friend of mine also has an MGB really stunning car he treats it like a baby, even carpeted out his double garage for it. A few years ago I got about half way through a nut and bolt restoration of a 1960's series 3 Lotus Elan until the company I worked for closed and I needed cash to start up a venture on the south coast.

[~kev~]

hi my drivers side went last year went down managed to get it back up then wouldnt lower ,reported to renault who repaired it under warranty then a week later passenger side went,thankfully repaired to,was the regulators. then this month drivers side only worked an inch at a time , then worked fine ,then stuck again thankfully in the closed pos. its back in garage tomorrow said may have to do a temporay repair until parts come in from Japan.p.s havent had alot of rain so not sure of cause.

[peter h]

I have this problem with my 57 plate 1.6 hatchback

Bought the car from a dealer with the promise it would be fixed before pick up... Who would have known japan would have such issues.

Anyways still not fixed, I have had offers to replace mechanisms from other doors, but decided to just put up with it for the moment..

Garage are going to fix it for free so bonus.

Also I have read here/other Renault forums that if you ring customer service that they will pay upto 75%, But its still bad it still happens.

Annoying too as have fitted wind deflectors to all windows except this one...

[continentalgt]

Thanks for the comments, I'm aware of the manufacturer subsidising window motor/controller replacement but I think it's for cars up to 7 years of age. My car gets there in the next month or two so it probably won't help me anyway.
Even when Renault replace the motor/controller they just put a replacement in without solving the underlying problem so it's still probably just a matter of time until the same thing happens again.
I don't want to always be thinking when is it gonna happen to me so I want to try and find a solution and damp proofing the electrics seems the obvious place to start.

~kev~ I think I read somewhere that when the windows operate in small steps you need to get the window fully closed and hold the button in the close position for a few seconds further to reset the system (not too long or you could overheat things), I'm still quite the newbie on the Megane cc so perhaps others here can confirm if that's right or I'm just rambling

[speedwaydthom]

Glad I read this thread as wife's car is now 7 years old and will just fit into the criteria for a subsidised fix from Renault. Have checked with dealer re availability of replacement regulators to be informed that they are on "back order" and not able to forecast when they will be back in the supply chain. This must be an opportunity for an enterprising person to latch on to a commercial opportunity as this seems to be such a common problem with this model. I wonder whether the latest facelift Meganes use the same parts? Anyway its all very frustrating that manufacturer cannot provide a more permanent fix to this problem and seems comfortable with a subsidy to replacement parts knowing them to be flawed!

[continentalgt]

Glad I read this thread as wife's car is now 7 years old and will just fit into the criteria for a subsidised fix from Renault. Have checked with dealer re availability of replacement regulators to be informed that they are on "back order" and not able to forecast when they will be back in the supply chain. This must be an opportunity for an enterprising person to latch on to a commercial opportunity as this seems to be such a common problem with this model. I wonder whether the latest facelift Meganes use the same parts? Anyway its all very frustrating that manufacturer cannot provide a more permanent fix to this problem and seems comfortable with a subsidy to replacement parts knowing them to be flawed!

There are people that repair Renault controllers advertising on a very well known auction site for quite a reasonable price and someone else not currently on the auction site that makes a direct (but not identical) replacement here in the UK but if memory serves it comes without the one touch feature, Google should find them.

[speedwaydthom]

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction continentalgt. So happens there is an advertised repairer on that well known site not too far away from where we live. Local dealer was prepared to put car on list of other cars awaiting availability of new regulator parts, BUT, would you believe wanted an £80 diagnostic fee!!!! In meantime, spell of dry weather, and it has started working again. I am starting to really dislike Renault brand and wife's next car, if I have anything to do with it will certainly not be another Renault