Hello S2ki-ers,

So my passenger window is busted and the window couldn't close completely. I asked two local junkyard about the regulator;
One is giving me about $150 for a brand new aftermarket, they say it'll last for years.
The other one is giving me $150 for a used one (price is fixed), I didn't know what year it is but he said it's in good working condition. He'll also give me 90 days warranty.

I'm currently tight on budget so buying new OEM is not an option (a shop quoted me abour $600 incl. labor).

Which option should I take? Any input is appreciated,

Thanks!

 

I'd buy a new aftermarket.

I don't know if there is a way you can tell how old the car it came out of is. If it was an early model S that was not garaged, the regulator could have been subjected to rain water and grudge for years (from leaves, dirt etc) getting inside the door panel, so it could fail just like your current one failed. I'm not trying to infer you did not take care of your S, stuff happens.

Granted you get a 90 day warranty, but it's still a hassle to deal with if if it fails again. And you could have to pay labor again assuming you don't swap it out yourself.

It's not a performance enhancing part (it's a relatively simple motor) and, once installed, you'll never see it again or want to think about it again... so that is why I'd go with a new aftermarket.

 

That's what I thought for the first time though, it could last longer but I still doubt with the fitment being not as good as the OEM ones. I just bought the car a week ago and the previous owner has mentioned the regulator being broken.
Thanks for the input, SunzOut.

Anyone has tried aftermarket regulator motor and would like to share their experience with it?

 

One more thing you could try.... In my previous car, a 95 Del Sol Si, the driver's door regulator seized up and stopped working. One of my friends, who was installing a new head end and door speakers for me, noticed that it froze up and repeatedly sprayed it with some WD40 (a few times over several hours). The regulator started working again and continues to work today*... 4+ years later. *sold the car to a friend so I know the window still works. Go figure?

 

So I took the whole regulator thing off from the door, I found out the steel cables were not aligned onto the pulleys. Conducted a battery test with it and figured that the motor is busted. Next thing I figured was the steel cables inside the motor were not in shape anymore(more like pubic hair ). Didn't know what was done to the car previously hah!