How to replace a broken window regulator in a VW Jetta

Volkswagen Jetta's have a weak spot in the design of the window regulator. The window clamp is attached to a plastic runner that rides in a channel. Unfortunatly, the plastic runner breaks, leaving your window in the bottom of your door! You COULD go to your riendly VW dealer and pay them some $ to fix your window, but with a few simple tools and less than $20 in parts you can do it your self.

This is what you need.

• Phillips Screw driver, regular and stubby
• Flat blade screw driver
• Torx bit set
• Vice Grips
• Pick Set
• 10mm Deep and Flexi Socket
• 1/4 and 1/2 drive ratchets and extensions
• Panel fork (not shown)
  
  
  
  
  

In this photo you can also see the parts. On the right are the new cast regulator to window clamps, on the left the broken one. Notice the broken plactis runner!

Step one, pop off the outer door paanel. It's not that hard. There are 3 screws on the bottom, two under the door pull and one in the upper left corner. Once the screws are removed use your panel fork to pop off the retaining clips. there are a few of these around the perimiter of the door.

Once the door panel is off remove the wiring for the lower lamp, and the window and lock switches. The door latch works by a pull wire with a clip. Pop the clip and rotate the wire around so you can remove the panel.

This is what you will be left with once the door panel is off.

















Now it's time to tackle the inner door panel. This is a little tougher, it's still pretty easy. Remove all the 6mm bolts around the permiter. Pop the wire harness clips from the door panel, and un-clip the harness from the speaker and window regulator motor. At this point the inner door panel is pretty lose, but it's still difficult to get to the silly little push connectors on the door lock. They push IN! (hint hint) Once this is done you can get to the door lock connector and remove the wire harness from it too.















In this picture the bottom of the window can be seen through the two large gromets in the inner door panel. Once the inner door panel is off, prop up the window with a stick.

















You don't really need to replace the entire regulator. Just move the window sliders to the center and use vice grips to hold the forward one in place as shown. Using the vice grips to position the slider allows you to just unwind the cables form the pulleys.
















Once the new regulator is in just put it back the way it came out.