Both windows making a loud sound when lowered

[Zishan]

Hello All,

I've just purchased a Viper and I believe I have the notorious window regulator issue. I've read thru many threads trying to understand the remedy and looking for confirmation before ordering parts and throwing money at it.

ISSUE: Windows both work 80%. When rolling down, they make a loud squeak/chatter when going all the way down. I can lower them 80%, no noise. The last 20%, the noise is there, both lowering and raising.

So I believe the window regulator parts are worn. I'd like to get in there and remedy it before the regulator breaks.

I'm not sure which product would help solve my issue?

Thanks in advance!
- Zishan

Dodge Viper 2003-2010 Factory Parts - Mechanical mopar

Dodge Viper factory mechanical replacement parts

www.theviperstore.com

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-- OR --

2003-2017 GEN III, IV, V Window Boss Kit

A common failure in even low mile Gen V Vipers is broken hardware resulting in a window operation failure. This kit replaces the weak OEM plastic hardware with stronger, higher quality pieces. Stainless steel / black hard anodized aluminum construction. 2003-2017 Window Boss Kit Installation...

www.dougshelbyengineering.com

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[Pleasanton Asp]

I went through this exact failure mode on my 2005, passenger side window. Smooth all the way down, or up, except at the very end, when it made a loud screeching noise.

For me, it was the regulator that failed, right at the joint between the track and the white plastic sleeve (see the picture). Cracked the peripheral of the tube such that the inner coil was binding as it turned.

Your options are to replace with new (I paid close to $800 for new Mopar part), or, to take the old one out, and send it off to one of several businesses that specialize in rebuilding regulators for about half that price. www.PowerWindowRepair.com quoted $329 plus shipping. I have not shipped my old one out yet, curious if anyone has used them.

Means you will need to get the old ones out, send them off after following their prescriptive directions about packing, shipping and such, and then about three days later they will send them back.

It's a failure mode that will never get better, only worse. I paid a local, auto glass shop $400 to put my new one in after watching the various youtubes showing people that know what they are doing do the work.

 

[Steve M]

Sounds like a regulator issue to me. My first stop would be the PowerWindowRepair.com folks to see if they can repair what you have.

The regulators are poorly designed, and have been a failure point for most Vipers from 2003-2017. Someone many years ago was able to retrofit a totally different, more robust window regulator design, but they couldn't get it to work correctly with the BCM. That idea died on the vine, which is unfortunate because it was about as close as the Viper community got to an actual fix.

The window boss kit may not be required for your situation, but if you can swing it, it wouldn't be a bad idea to go ahead and replace them while you are in there.

 

[Zishan]

Just to close the loop on this, I ended up taking the car to Cesar @ "CM Power Window Regulator" in Houston. He rebuilt both window regulators for $550 for the pair-he did all the work, I just drove the car to him. I had used him back in the day, 10 years ago for another car, so I know he's been doing these for a while. Also has great reviews, plus pics of another Viper being done on his site. Highly recommended if you are local to him. So all said and done, I'm very happy with the cost and service. Windows work flawlessly now!

Again, thanks for the feedback!
- Zishan

 

[SA HEAT]

I've done both doors on mine now.....just replaced the passenger side a few weeks ago with a new one I bought over 6 years ago and had been saving. Probably one of my least favorite DIYs I've ever done on a car.

 

[MoparMap]

I've done my driver side so far, but my passenger side is probably due before too long one of these days. It makes a bit of an interesting thunk when it first starts going down, but has kept working fine so far, so fingers crossed.