How do you gain access to replace the window mechanism in the front door of a 1994 Mazda 626?

Answer

Start by removing the battery cables at the battery just in case you cross (short)wires inside the door. There are two long screws (one towards the front and one towards the rear ) near the bottom outer edge of the inner door panel. There should be factory holes in the carpet covering the panel. Remove both. Next inside the recess (where you put your hand to close the door) there should be a felt type of material. This must be peeled of to expose the next screw to be removed. The last screw to remove should be located right behind the door lever (what you pull to open the door). The rest of the panel is held on by panel fastners which you merely pull on the panel along the outer edges to pop free. You must START at the bottom of the door and work your way up. The whole top edge of the panel is held on by a lip that hangs onto the top edge of the door frame. Once the bottom and sides of the panel are popped free of the frame lift the panel to remove the top edge. Disconnect all wire harnesses. The door lever rod is easily removed by removing (carefully) a little plastic clip. Next you must remove the moisture barrier (plain plastic film) that covers the door frame holes. This will allow you access to the inside of the door where the mechanisms are. Duct tape will will work fine when replacing the barrier if the messy factory black adhesive doesn't rework.

To remove the motor and pulley/cable track (there is only one) simply remove all bolts (10 mm I think). Remember though that once you remove all mechanisms the window will not have any way to stay up. You MUST prop the window in an up position somehow prior to removing the mechanisns. The motor will have two cables coming from it. You must pop a little clip off of the cover to remove the cover. Once this is done you can remove the cables. You MUST take note of how the pulley is positioned and the cables are wound. Popping the cover back on later and securing the cover with its little clip can be a real hassle. The cables easily remove from the cable track. The ends of the cables have little balls (like on a bicycle hand brake cable) that fit into respective slots. You MUST note exactly how the cables are routed or chances are you will never be able to figure out how to reassemble the unit agian. I personally do not feel the average shade tree mechanic should try this job. These cables can be a real nightmare to reinstall back into the motor but even worse into the window bracket.

First answer by ID1222740861. Last edit by ID1222740861. Question popularity: 67 [recommend question]