How do you fix a 1989 Cadillac coupe deville window not moving stuck down?

Answer 1

If you can hear the motor going but the window has fallen down or is jammed then you probably have popped the ball and socket from each other. This is an "iffy" design such that even if you buy the replacement part you still have the same problem as I did again a couple years later.. when you close or jostle the door mainly without the window up then the ball pops out of the seemingly nylon socket.

This interconnect system is between the elevator rail I call it and the window itself.

To fix you must put the motor on (window up or down) such that the elevator is in a position visible in one of the holes in the panel (remove door panel and paper). I put it almost down. Next you elevate the window by hand until the ball and socket line up.

Next you use a vise-grips or channel locks to squeeze the ball and socket together (or back up the window attachment area to the outside of the door (in the cavity) with say a wood block and use a hard object to push the two together again). It sometimes is very hard to squeeze the two together but this is good because it will hold better as you go over bumps.

The whole job takes about 2-3 hours for first timers and the third or forth time, 30 minutes. You will have to use both types of screw drivers and maybe an Allen wrench (handle area) to "wedge out" lighting and switch inserts and remove screws in taking the door apart but that is another question.

If it happens a lot, you may be able to still buy a new plastic or nylon socket from Cadillac or keep window up and use AC more (Because of continuous problem and frustration, I lodged or wedged a notched board under passenger window to the door bottom to keep the window up always). It also may happen when driving on bumpy roads with window not up but I cannot remember.

We are all creatures of old habits, I suggest that even to yourself you write notes about this for inside you car. Put a "no brainer" note on the doors over power switches, "Do NOT open door WITHOUT window UP (window falls)" (you could add, "If you open door? DO NOT MOVE door more, put window UP now").