03 forester

Hi, my 03 forester driver-side window stopped working in the up position. All of the other windows work. I don't hear or feel anything when I depress the button. Can you tell me what steps to take in troubleshooting this? Can you tell me where the fuses/master control switch is located? Thanks!

Lumburg54

My 03 just did the same thing 2 weeks ago. From what I can gather reading other posts and doing some searches your motor is most likely rotted on the inside. Water gets down into the door (which is perfectly normal) but Subaru did a pretty bad job with making the motor water tight. Water gets in there and rots the gears.

I've chosen not to fix mine yet. I just push and pull the window up and down. I can hear my motor working but nothing happens. I'm sure mine is stripped.

You can either take it out and fix it from the inside or get a new/used one. I would suggest new as any used motor will have been exposed to the same water.

Good luck with yours!

hora

Mines done the same. OP- did you resolve?

Any ideas on which product code it is/or.......does the Impreza motor work in the Forester?

Shredder

did you ever figure this out? I think I have the same or a very similar problem as you and was hoping you could give me some help.

hora

Mine is still propped up with a block of wood and a ziptie inside.

Its on the list of to do still

stcsuby

i had the same problem about a month or so ago...gears were rotted after taking the door apart to look at the motor...ended up biting the bullet and buying a new motor (not cheap! about $400CDN if i remember correctly) because i couldnt find a used one...but now it works

hora

Can/did you fit it yourself? I'm thinking of finding one and trying to fit myself first.

Trinidoc

One of my rear windows has now stopped going up but only from the rear switch. The master controls can still power it so I think the problem is just a bad contact in the switch. I'm just waiting on some time to strip it down and have a look.

GA Forester

I had a smiliar problem on my maxima - the driver side rear window just plopped down on the highway - I tried looking up for cheap fixes but could not find any. There were heavy rains predicted for that weekend so I had to get it fixed asap - Firestone did it for me. They said, the motor was good but the regulator was bad- didnt have a choice or time to fix myself - so had to shell $200.00 for the fix.
from what they told me - would be more if the motor itself was bad - which sounds like the case from what y'all are saying.

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MY'05 2.5X 4EAT, MY'02 OB LL Bean

neoshi

ugh my drivers side just died a minute ago... the winter is the worst time to run into car repair needs... $$$$

anyone know that if all the other window switches on that door work, if it could just be THAT switch that doesn't work? or would the whole unit usually go at once (meaning all four switches stop working)?

trying to zero it down to what exact is broken.. it did squeak like hell before it stopped working, which i thought may have been misalignment.

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05 XS

neoshi

bah does anyone have any pics on how to get to the window motor and regulator? also someone also said to switch polarity on the switch to see if it goes up.. guess i should run power straight to the switch via some wires (though I dont have any lying around..)

do i just remove the plastic.. but which bolts do i unscrew?

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05 XS

JackOfAllTrades

Add me to the list of 2003 owners with this problem on the driver's side. It was preceded by the switch suddenly starting to stick, creating a new auto-up feature! :) The dealer wanted >$200 just to replace the sticking switch, so I can just imagine what the cost for the switch and the window motor would be.

Any instructions on how to proceed vis-a-vis replacing the motor myself would be greatly appreciated; I haven't even removed the door panel at this point for fear I will be a bucket of fail with nothing to show.

Thanks!
Jack

ndondo

same problem here
my driver window motor is rotted out like others are saying . it makes noise but the windows stay put

both my rear door have connector issue I think

if any one have a pictorial how to replace the regulator that would be great
Thank you

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2004 Forester XS 5MT

Trinidoc

Took mine apart and the switch contact was just a bit oxidized. A little light sanding and it works as new. Perhaps some of the problems here are the same thing. Of note - the parts are very small and can easily be lost.

Okiedog

Had the same issue with the back window switch. Very easy to replace the rear switch. First, order the OEM part from your favorite supplier. I got mine from my local Subaru dealer. Don't remember the price but I think it was around $20.

Simply pop open the little plastic cover in the base of the plastic (the area that you can set your cell phone in). It's about the size of a postage stamp. Once that is open, you'll see a philips screw. Take that out and the whole plastic assembly lifts up. You may have to pry it up a bit with a flat long blade (a butter knife would work).

Unhook old switch and replace.

Now if anyone has pics of how to replace the drivers side power window motor I would be a happy man. I do not want to lay out $400 for that and I've got that same issue.

I have an 03 Forester