F'ing window regulators - anyone else have this issue?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, FL, USA
'05 G55, '06 Gallardo Spyder, '03 Murcielago, '12 GT-R, '07 Chevy
F'ing window regulators - anyone else have this issue?
My '05 G55 is out of warranty now, bearing a whopping 16,000 miles since new, and I'm now on my fourth and fifth power window issue. The passenger window won't go down, which I'd been ignoring for a few months, the driver's window decided to not go up. I need a new $653 window regulator on the driver's side, and $1700 worth of window regulator and motor on the passenger side. Oh, the lumbar air pump for the driver's seat is dead ($623) too.
I've had three previous window regulator failures over the past five years, possibly motors too but don't remember specifically. Those were under warranty so no big deal but now that I'm having to spend $2400 to make my windows work on a car that has what would only be 18 months worth of normal mileage on it, it's getting frustrating.
I've found references to other people having the same issue with these. Has anyone gotten MB to do anything about it post-warranty?
I've had three previous window regulator failures over the past five years, possibly motors too but don't remember specifically. Those were under warranty so no big deal but now that I'm having to spend $2400 to make my windows work on a car that has what would only be 18 months worth of normal mileage on it, it's getting frustrating.
I've found references to other people having the same issue with these. Has anyone gotten MB to do anything about it post-warranty?
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
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02 S600, 03 G500, 04 C240, 04 E320, 06 E350
Window regulators, NOT motors, are know issue.
MB has come up with revised regulator.
I don't know of anyone getting MB to replace after the warranty.
It looks as the new version is working fine.
MB has come up with revised regulator.
I don't know of anyone getting MB to replace after the warranty.
It looks as the new version is working fine.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,339
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From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
The repair might be covered?
Is there a Bulletin on the regulator? If so, see above, it should have been fixed gratis.
I have found AMG is very eager to make their clients happy. Join the Private Lounge and perhaps the AMG folks will work with the regional rep to resolve the situation. For example, they helped me out with an alignment issue.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 272
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From: Los Angeles
'10 G55, Challenge Stradale, 997.1 GT3, E63 Wagon
A service bulletin is only to alert the dealer of a potential service issue and what may be causing the issue. It does not guarantee the owner a no cost repair if the car in question is out of warranty.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
If the G55 had been taken in for regular service while under warranty and a Bulletin related repair was not made that was directly related to the complaint and the original owner was charged for a repair multiple times the MBUSA regional rep should be contacted. I have had recent personal contact with AMG managers who are very keen on customer satisfaction and brand excellence. Refreshing.
I do not know what the dealer situation is presently in So Cal or Tampa. In the NE I had cause to stop on a trip at a dealer (MB of Danbury) who insisted that I leave the AMG with them so they could perform Bulletins that the selling dealer had failed to perform. They kept their tech until 9pm and provided me with amenities that helped lighten up the situation! No charge!
Last edited by grane; Jun 27, 2011 at 12:58 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 272
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From: Los Angeles
'10 G55, Challenge Stradale, 997.1 GT3, E63 Wagon
In the NE I had cause to stop on a trip at a dealer (MB of Danbury) who insisted that I leave the AMG with them so they could perform Bulletins that the selling dealer had failed to perform. They kept their tech until 9pm and provided me with amenities that helped lighten up the situation! No charge!
Last edited by PCH; Jun 27, 2011 at 06:45 PM.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 70
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From: Tampa, FL, USA
'05 G55, '06 Gallardo Spyder, '03 Murcielago, '12 GT-R, '07 Chevy
Yeah I've always had all the normal services done at MB of Tampa Bay for the past five years; I'm the original owner, only 16k miles. Now I wish I had driven the vehicle more because they probably would have broken while it was still under warranty lol.
I've yet to hear back from the service guy on whether he was able to get any concessions from MB, AMG, etc. on this; I won't be too happy if a $110k car that's barely used can't have known-defective regulators replaced post-warranty or otherwise. Makes me wonder what else will break. I'd hate to get rid of it too because I've done a ton of Kleeman mods and love the thing but I'm not going to let it turn into a money pit.
I've yet to hear back from the service guy on whether he was able to get any concessions from MB, AMG, etc. on this; I won't be too happy if a $110k car that's barely used can't have known-defective regulators replaced post-warranty or otherwise. Makes me wonder what else will break. I'd hate to get rid of it too because I've done a ton of Kleeman mods and love the thing but I'm not going to let it turn into a money pit.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
You maybe corect
Quite an unusual experience as dealers do not get paid by MBUSA to perform unwarranted services. Now if were talkin about RECALLS/CAMPAIGNS that's a completely different story. Review those RO's from MB Of Danbury and I bet they were recalls/campaigns and not service bulletins that were addressed.
The service guys hands are tied, mostly they type something into their computer and the answer comes back ya or nay. That is why I would be prepared to take it to the rep. Join the AMG private lounge, you need your Vin and after you get a feel for etiquette reach out to the AMG folks.
Is it too late buy an extended warranty for future repairs. Usually there is a grace period.
No matter what the nomenclature, I would press the issue with the regional rep in writing after gathering and documenting the facts. AMG is refreshingly concerned about the brand IMHO. One AMG rep I spoke to mentioned Kleemann as a a modifier acceptable to AMG and was familiar with their German relationship. How this squares with the written Mb warranty is another topic.
What dealers are motivated by is well documented by members above and I would not expect them to go outside their motivation zone.
Last edited by grane; Jun 29, 2011 at 07:20 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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E500
you can purchase the units from fourbyfourclub for 369.00 if you would like to do the work yourself.
http://fourbyfourclub.com/W463BodyPa...egulatorFL.htm
http://fourbyfourclub.com/W463BodyPa...egulatorFL.htm
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 70
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From: Tampa, FL, USA
'05 G55, '06 Gallardo Spyder, '03 Murcielago, '12 GT-R, '07 Chevy
Dealer told me today there's a bulletin on the left rear door that would apply since its the only regulator that hasn't broken yet so they might be able to do something on that one if it does end up breaking. Wow I feel better lol.
Where do I find the private lounge?
Warranty ran out after three years, I bought it about five years ago.
Warranty ran out after three years, I bought it about five years ago.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, FL, USA
'05 G55, '06 Gallardo Spyder, '03 Murcielago, '12 GT-R, '07 Chevy
you can purchase the units from fourbyfourclub for 369.00 if you would like to do the work yourself.
http://fourbyfourclub.com/W463BodyPa...egulatorFL.htm
http://fourbyfourclub.com/W463BodyPa...egulatorFL.htm
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
Dealer told me today there's a bulletin on the left rear door that would apply since its the only regulator that hasn't broken yet so they might be able to do something on that one if it does end up breaking. Wow I feel better lol.
Follow up with a letter and thank them, I suppose.
Where do I find the private lounge?
Use your search engine I do not have URL handy
Warranty ran out after three years, I bought it about five years
ago.
Follow up with a letter and thank them, I suppose.
Where do I find the private lounge?
Use your search engine I do not have URL handy
Warranty ran out after three years, I bought it about five years
ago.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 70
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From: Tampa, FL, USA
'05 G55, '06 Gallardo Spyder, '03 Murcielago, '12 GT-R, '07 Chevy
Ah, found the private lounge, I thought it was part of this site. Of course the sign up is broken LOL. If I try in firefox as soon as I submit the captcha and agree to the terms it goes to a blank page, if I use IE it sends me back to the start page.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 70
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From: Tampa, FL, USA
'05 G55, '06 Gallardo Spyder, '03 Murcielago, '12 GT-R, '07 Chevy
This has gone from bad to worse. Ten weeks after the last two regulators broke, it blew the rear left for the third time. The last time MB USA gave me a whopping $300 in loyalty cash to 'help out' with my $2500 bill from the two regulators and the blown power seat air pump. This time they said **** off. The dealer was nice enough to cut most of the labor so the repair ended up being about $550 instead of $800. Oh, while I was begging for assistance from the MBUSA rep, I told him there are numerous threads in the AMG Private Lounge as well as MBWorld where people have had window regulator failures, there are even threads on how to replace your own window regulators; his response was that forums aren't representative of an overall issue and they don't think there is any defect.
Well, at least now that I've replaced three of the four in the past three months, I'll be covered on the 12 month part warranty on three windows until next summer.
Pretty likely I won't be purchasing a future AMG.
Well, at least now that I've replaced three of the four in the past three months, I'll be covered on the 12 month part warranty on three windows until next summer.
Pretty likely I won't be purchasing a future AMG.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
Two of my windows died yesterday
It looks like the fronts may come with an updated motor too but I shall report back. If you have a G out of warranty you need to find a specialist indie and use a Sponsor for parts. Overall I save 30-50% over what the OP using dealer reported.
Why didn't they use screws instead of rivets? The play is real Achilles heel.
Make sure you get the Rivets if you or your indie puts them in.
Thanks to Sponsor www.mymercedesparts.com for info and great prices and service!
Last edited by grane; Oct 6, 2011 at 11:24 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,339
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From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
I wuz wrong about the rivets. Use screws with blue Loktite
installed front and rears today. Takes about 5-6 hours if you are careful per side. Lubricate the lift shafts - it's the last chance you'll get and will increase the life of the parts. Remember there are multiple screws that you need remove, not just the plastic clips, to remove the door panel. The dual lift shafts in the front make sense versus the original single silly lift, bad engineering.
Please reread the quote below about a caution removing the old single member window clamp. What a cludge!
Forget what I said about rivets I was misinformed. My bad!
I'm sending the old parts to the MBusa president for kicks!
Please reread the quote below about a caution removing the old single member window clamp. What a cludge!
Forget what I said about rivets I was misinformed. My bad!
I'm sending the old parts to the MBusa president for kicks!
The good news is that STisma is right there are updated parts for 2002 G series on. Basically they are the 06 + regulators in the front, new part number will come up, and the rears are the same part number with a Supplement which I am led to believe means the part has been revised. Make sure you have your VIN because the parts system I saw has all the European models too, dozens.
It looks like the fronts may come with an updated motor too but I shall report back. If you have a G out of warranty you need to find a specialist indie and use a Sponsor for parts. Overall I save 30-50% over what the OP using dealer reported.
The front is a real improvement it has dual lifts instead of the single lift but it is a pain to take off the long clamp on the window glass. Be careful and take your time.
Thanks to Sponsor www.mymercedesparts.com for info and great prices and service!
It looks like the fronts may come with an updated motor too but I shall report back. If you have a G out of warranty you need to find a specialist indie and use a Sponsor for parts. Overall I save 30-50% over what the OP using dealer reported.
The front is a real improvement it has dual lifts instead of the single lift but it is a pain to take off the long clamp on the window glass. Be careful and take your time.
Thanks to Sponsor www.mymercedesparts.com for info and great prices and service!
Last edited by grane; Oct 8, 2011 at 07:07 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,339
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From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 11
From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
Not to beat a dead horse but the updated drivers side regulator comes with an integrated motor at a much lower price than the one stealer quoted you from Sponsor. Same with passenger side regulator. They seem to be ripping you off if they are charging extra for the motor.
My '05 G55 is out of warranty now, bearing a whopping 16,000 miles since new, and I'm now on my fourth and fifth power window issue. The passenger window won't go down, which I'd been ignoring for a few months, the driver's window decided to not go up. I need a new $653 window regulator on the driver's side, and $1700 worth of window regulator and motor on the passenger side. Oh, the lumbar air pump for the driver's seat is dead ($623) too.
I've had three previous window regulator failures over the past five years, possibly motors too but don't remember specifically. Those were under warranty so no big deal but now that I'm having to spend $2400 to make my windows work on a car that has what would only be 18 months worth of normal mileage on it, it's getting frustrating.
I've found references to other people having the same issue with these. Has anyone gotten MB to do anything about it post-warranty?
I've had three previous window regulator failures over the past five years, possibly motors too but don't remember specifically. Those were under warranty so no big deal but now that I'm having to spend $2400 to make my windows work on a car that has what would only be 18 months worth of normal mileage on it, it's getting frustrating.
I've found references to other people having the same issue with these. Has anyone gotten MB to do anything about it post-warranty?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, FL, USA
'05 G55, '06 Gallardo Spyder, '03 Murcielago, '12 GT-R, '07 Chevy
The dealer told me there are two parts, one with motor, one without, and the one without the motor is only $30 or so less so they always do the one with the motor. Does that sound like bs?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 11
From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
Get you VIN plug it into the Sponsor website and it comes up with integral motor, is my best guess. Questions call Jeff at the Sponsor but be careful about dealership issues, as I'm sure you will. If you speak to him tell him my tech and I are very happy with his service!
Last edited by grane; Oct 9, 2011 at 10:44 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 1
2004 G55 AMG
These regulators aren't any different than what you'll find in pretty much any mid-90's vehicle. They consist of a pillar (or two for front windows), and a cable spool that pulls the window clamp up or down. The issue is that Puchs and MB didn't properly lubricate them during installation.
Don't waste $369 or more on an "OEM" regulator. These can be had for $99-$119 on any MB wholesale website. When you get your new regulator you need to lubricate it with spray lithium and multi-purpose grease, then install it. I promise they will last much longer than the rest of your vehicle if properly lubricated. I swapped out four of mine when I bought my G and they've worked perfectly ever since.
Don't waste $369 or more on an "OEM" regulator. These can be had for $99-$119 on any MB wholesale website. When you get your new regulator you need to lubricate it with spray lithium and multi-purpose grease, then install it. I promise they will last much longer than the rest of your vehicle if properly lubricated. I swapped out four of mine when I bought my G and they've worked perfectly ever since.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 13
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2004 G55 AMG
BTW, use a very large phillips screwdriver when removing the mounting hardware or you will invariably strip out the screws and have a much bigger problem on your hands. I found a huge phillips with ratchet drive at Pep Boys that made this repair very simple. If you pay attention to disassembly this repair only takes 30 minutes.
