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Andrew
Dodge Dakota
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7/29/2008
12:49:29
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 Subject: power window
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This winter, my window did the classic freeze into the frame and one day while trying to lower it, something sounded like it broke loose in there and now all I can hear is the motor trying to roll the window down, but something is disconnected between the window and motor. Is there a small part I can replace or does this require the whole window motor assembly to be replaced?
I've also got one power lock that buzzes. Lock solenoid? Easy fix?
Thanks y'all.
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Andrew
Dodge Dakota
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7/29/2008
12:50:47
| RE: power window
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sorry, it's a 99 dakota, 4WD, 5.2L if that changes anything.
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Jimmy9190
Dodge Dakota
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7/29/2008
20:11:34
| RE: power window
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The window regulator cable is probably broken. That may have been the breaking sound you heard. Dodge only sells the regulator and motor as an entire assembly. But it's easy to remove the old one and replace it. Remove the door panel and moisture barrier. Then remove the 2 clips holding the bottom of the window to the old regulator, pull the window up by hand and duct tape it in place. Some good parts stores may have a suction cup tool that will hold the window in place. Then remove the 6 or 8 fasteners holding the regulator/motor assembly in the door. Pay attention to the orientation of the old assembly and work the new one into the door thru the large access area to the left side of the door cavity. Then you should be able to maneuver it into the same position in the door as the old one. Then reinstall the fasteners and lower the window down into the regulator and reinstall the retainer clips and plug it back in.
As for the door lock buzzing noise, it's the actuator (also called a solenoid) for the lock mechanism. Again, Dodge only sells the actuator and door latch as an entire assembly. You might be able to leave the actuator in place and put in a 2-wire aftermarket door lock actuator and connect it to the door lock rod and the existing wiring. All it is is a reverse polarity motor. It should cost from maybe $15 to $30 at Best Buy, Circuit City or a good car audio/alarm shop. Pep Boys sells one too for about $12 but I don't know if it's a good quality part or not.
Jimmy
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Andrew
Dodge Dakota
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8/01/2008
15:26:46
| RE: power window
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Thanks Jimmy, that's a great description and definitely sounds like the problem. One last question. What if the problem is the retaining clips are broken? Do those only come with the whole assembly? Thanks again.
Andrew
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Jimmy9190
Dodge Dakota
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8/01/2008
17:17:03
| RE: power window
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I think the retainer clips will be included with the new regulator assembly. I used to work in the Service Dept. at a Chrylser-Jeep dealer and I seem to remember the new regulators had new clips too. We did a lot of regulators in Cherokees and Chrysler mini-vans. If the clips are not included the old ones are easily removed with a flat blade screwdriver or a pick tool. They are thin little U-shaped metal clips that look kind of like an opened up paper clip and can be re-used with no problem. The clips just snap in place over a retaining stud on the old regulator window arm assembly. Remove them by pulling to the left or right side of the retainer stud. You'll see when you get it apart. Dealer parts dept. may have them too, if you need new ones.
A broken retainer clip won't cause this problem. It would cause the window to be loose in the track maybe but it sure sounds like you have a broken regulator cable.
Jimmy
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Jimmy9190
Dodge Dakota
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8/01/2008
23:38:18
| RE: power window
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Andrew there may not be retainer clips on your window, it may be held in place on the regulator arm with nuts. I read this in my service manual tonight but the manual is for a 2001 Dakota. Your 99 might have clips or nuts. My Haynes Book only goes back to 2000 but says those have retaining nuts also. My Chilton book goes to 1997 and says it has nuts also. It also says to not over-tighten the nuts so that you don't risk breaking the glass. Either way it's still a fairly easy job to replace the regulator. Sorry for the wrong info but I was at work when I replied and didn't have the manuals with me. I thought a Dakota would be the same as a Jeep.
Jimmy
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Andrew
Dodge Dakota
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8/03/2008
21:51:14
| RE: power window
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Thanks a bunch for the info. Hopefully I can get it taken apart this week, the heat is killing me! And as we all know, dodge A/C sucks.
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me
Dodge Dakota
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8/04/2008
00:58:34
|  RE: power window
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Andrew,
Put a valve in your heater intake water line.
Trust me, this will get your a/c cold even when the thermostat knob is all the way on heat.
OPen the valve for winter months.
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Andrew
Dodge Dakota
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8/04/2008
11:23:39
| RE: power window
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Thanks for the tip, but what type of valve, just a plastic quarter turn valve from the hardware store or something?
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Kowalski
GenIII
8/04/2008
17:51:59
|  RE: power window
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Andrew - "dodge AC sucks" ? News to me ! Mine works great, and has for the past 9 years. Maybe you should look into what is wrong with yours. Sounds like you must have a problem with the system, and the valve won't help that. Will only help a properly working system work better.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Andrew
Dodge Dakota
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8/04/2008
18:35:19
| RE: power window
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Interesting. Mine has always been suspect. It just seems like other vehicle makes are nice and frosty. Mine has always been luke-cold (if such a thing exists). Same thing with other dakotas and durangos i've been in and the Ram we have at work. I suppose I made a false generalization, but I've also heard a few others complain about the lack of frostiness as well. I recharged the refrigerant about a year ago, which helped, but it still doesn't seem up to par with, say, Ford AC systems. Glad to hear yours works well, I'm envious.
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Jimmy9190
Dodge Dakota
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8/04/2008
20:17:20
| RE: power window
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If the AC is weak or not cooling well, there has to be a reason for it. Yours is a 99 so you might try replacing the blower motor resistor first. It's an inexpensive part, should run from about $15 to $20 from the dealer, and is very easy to replace. A new one will get the cool air that you do have available from the AC system moving around the cab a lot more efficiently. And even if the blower is working in all fan speeds, a new blower motor resistor pack will give a night and day difference in the velocity of the air coming out the vents and cool the truck better and faster. It's a common problem on Dakotas. I know because I had to replace my own resistor pack recently and I have so much air now it will blow my hair around. I also recently replaced the compressor, drier and fixed orifice tube too because the compressor was getting noisy. The compressor problem started after I had some damage repaired after I hit a deer. Anyway my AC worked OK before but it works great now. It will freeze my ears if I run it on full cold for too long. I live in Florida so I understand how important good AC can be.
The AC system does not consume refrigerant the way the engine consumes gas and oil. You could have the system checked for leaks. If you had to recharge last year and it's still not cooling well, there has to be a leak somewhere. I'm sure you know AC shops can check it for you, or you can buy the gauges and an electrionic leak detector tool and check it yourself. It could also be a bad or weak compressor, or if the AC runs real cool at first for a few minutes and then warms up, it could be the evaporator leaking. Evap replacement is difficult, but not impossible to do at home. Whatever the AC problem is, you can save yourself a lot of money plus give yourself the satisfaction of knowing it was done right if you have the system evacuated at a shop, repair it yourself and then have it recharged. I saved myself over $500 on my compressor and drier job.
A good web site to visit for automotive AC repair info is www.aircondition.com. Try a new resistor pack, it just might surprise you.
Jimmy
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Andrew
Dodge Dakota
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8/04/2008
22:54:29
| RE: power window
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Thanks Jimmy. I'll try that out. I can hear my compressor kicking on for sure, maybe that is part of the problem. I may try the valve also, is the heater intake line the 5/8" one? There's also a 13/somethingths hose in there. I may have it checked for leaks also. Thanks everyone for their help so far, you guys rule.
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Jimmy9190
Dodge Dakota
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8/04/2008
22:59:06
| RE: power window
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I have no idea about the heater hose/valve thing. I believe if the compressor cycles too often it's an indication you are low on refrigerant. Compressor is supposed to cycle according to the ambient temperature but if it does it too often something is wrong.
Jimmy
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