How to Replace a 95 Saturn Sl2 Window Lift Motor

When the lift motor fails on a 1995 Saturn SL2, it can expose the interior of the vehicle to weather elements or render the window closed. The window lift can be changed by most backyard mechanics with a few simple tools and in only an hour or two.

• 1

  Remove the crank on manual window models. Place a towel behind the window crank and move it back and forth to dislodge the window crank retainer.

• 2

  Remove the door lock switch. Place a small screwdriver under the switch and pry it away from the door trim panel. Unplug the electrical connection and remove the switch from the interior.

• 3

  Remove the side mirror if replacing a window lift on the front door. Place a small screwdriver behind the inside trim piece and pry it from the door. Remove the retaining nuts with a socket wrench, disconnect the electrical connection and remove the mirror.

• 4

  Remove the door handle and trim. Pull the door handle lever outward to access the retaining screw. Remove the screw with a screwdriver and pull the door trim panel slightly away from the door. Disconnect the control rod with pliers and remove the door handle and trim from the interior.

• 5

  Remove the armrest retaining screw with a screwdriver and remove the armrest from the interior.

• 6

  Remove the door trim panel. Remove the door trim panel retaining screws with a screwdriver. Place a small pry bar behind the trim panel and pry the panel away from the door, disengaging the retaining clips from the door. Remove the panel from the interior.

• 7

  Pull the plastic water deflector off of the inner door.

• 8

  Remove the outside door handle. Pull the handle out, push the centers of the retaining pins through the pins and remove them. Detach the handle and remove it from the vehicle.

• 9

  Pull the outer sealing strip from the window glass opening.

• 10

  Remove the outer door panel. Remove the panel retaining screws with a Torx bit. Detach the ends of the outer panel and lift it toward the rear, removing it from the vehicle.

• 11

  Lower the window glass. Remove the two nuts with a socket wrench and the screw with a screwdriver, holding the glass in place to the window lift. Lift up the glass from the door and remove it from the window opening.

• 12

  Remove the window lift. Remove the lift retaining bolts with a socket wrench. Drill out the retaining rivets with a drill and 1/8-inch drill bit and remove the lift from the service hole.

• 13

  Install the new window lift. Maneuver the lift through the service hole and install the retaining bolts with a socket wrench. Replace the retaining rivets with a rivet gun.

• 14

  Install the new window glass. Place the window glass through the window opening and lower it onto the window lift. Install the two retaining nuts with a socket wrench and screw with a screwdriver holding the glass to the lift.

• 15

  Place the outer door panel onto the door and replace the retaining screws with a Torx bit. Place thread-locking compound on the retaining screws before installation.

• 16

  Place the inner water deflector on the inner door.

• 17

  Push the outer sealing strip onto the window glass opening.

• 18

  Place the outside door handle onto the door and pull out the center of the retaining pins to hold it into position.

• 19

  Install the door trim panel. Place the panel into position and push the outside of the door trim panel onto the door to engage the retaining clips. Install the retaining screws with a screwdriver.

• 20

  Place the armrest into position and install the armrest retaining screw with a screwdriver.

• 21

  Install the door handle. Place the door handle and trim near the opening in the panel and connect the control rod with pliers. Pull the door handle level outward and install the retaining screw with a screwdriver.

• 22

  Install the side mirror if replacing a window lift on the front door. Place the studs on the mirror through the opening in the door and replace the mounting nuts with a socket wrench. Connect the electrical connector. Push the piece of trim in the interior of the door into place.

• 23

  Install the door lock switch. Attach the electrical connection and push the switch back onto the door panel.

• 24

  Push the window crank back onto the shaft on models equipped with manual windows.