I am looking at a used '03 enthusiast Z which has a malfunctioning driver's side window. I know nobody other than a real mechanic looking at the car can actually diagnose and estimate, but I'm looking for a worst-case scenario to use when trying to figure out how to adjust what I'm willing to offer.

The window works normally when the door is opened/closed, but when lowered using the window controls, it doesn't want to close again. The current owner says that he can bang on the door a bit and it'll go up again, or pull up on the window while pulling the switch up to close it. Sounds like a motor problem to me, but I don't know. The current owner was contemplating buying a $600 replacement door, but that seems like overkill to me. I know the motor itself costs $230. I imagine there's $200 labor on top of the parts cost, too.

So, worst-case (let's assume the mechanic needs to open up the door panel and replace the motor), what kind of money am I looking at? Is $500 a reasonable ceiling?

 

i just had mine done.... u can just place the motor and the regulator and put it in your self.. its very easy... and after u install it .. there is a small button on the motor u have to press when reseting it. install should take about 2hrs if u havent don it before...parts only cost me about 350$$

 

do it yourself, pick up a lifetime guarenteed window motor from any local auto store, they will prob have to order it, it should run around 150$ with a core charge that is refunded if you bring them back your dead window motor.

if you went to the stealership it could cost 400-600$ for the motor and labor to swap it. it's not difficult, though..

 

+1 ......you should do it yourself. Its really easy , search "window motor" follow the diy and you will be fine

 

I don't have a decent place to work (Arizona, no A/C, etc) and my access to tools is limited. Would a decent mechanic be able to do it on par with the dealership, for a more reasonable cost?

 

Nissan replaced the window motor in the drivers door. The bill was $450.

 

Thank you DavidV!

 

I just did the ****ing window reset and its not automatically going down like it did before( it used to fall down when i closed the door hard or randomly when i leave the car).. But its not lowering when you pull on the door handle, then close door and raise up.... Does this mean im going to be raped with a new motor too?

 

At Puerto Rico: $160.00, plus labor--'bout 20-30 bucks. Not bad, dude. Lifetime guarantee, too! As I've said in other posts, it's one of the minor nuisances in an otherwise fine Sports car. Look at the bright side: Flawless engine, AT (not so with the MT, though), cooling system,
and much-better-than-average reliability, overall. The two other traumatic little nuisances are the gas latch release issue and the hatch
door's strut(s) thingy. None of which will leave you stranded on the road on a rainy night!

 

Worst case is you buy the motor from autozone. Pay 140 or so, then unscrew the door switch, then the two bolts after removing that.. Then the door handle screw, then pull the door panel off.. Remove about 10 10mm bolts and undo the motor for a swap.. Takes 40 mins at best....

Then do the stupid reset, not sure it actually works..