The driver's side electric window on my 2000 Trans Am seems to be
periodically nonfunctional. That is, sometimes it rolls up/down just
fine, and other times it does not. Is this a symptom of the electric
motor dying, or perhaps of something else?

Thanks!

Sounds like a bad conection. Or a broken wire in the loom.
Or maybee the Brushes in the motor.
When its not working, try opening the door at the same time as depressing
the switch.
It might give you a sign. If it works when you move the door, id say its a
dodgy wire, or connector.
If not then Id look at the motor. Stick a multimeter on the motor connectors
to fine out more info.
--
Regards
Wombat.

Find out more at:
http://www.wombatppc.dsl.pipex.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrWombatPPC


"Joe Granto" <joe.granto (AT) NoSpam (DOT) com> wrote

On Sep 15, 10:26 am, Joe Granto <joe.gra... (AT) NoSpam (DOT) com> wrote:
It's a common fault. There is a motor "protector" inside that heats
up under load I think to stop the motor crushing anybody stupid enough
to stick their head through the window whilst it is going up.

Some people have Increased the size of cable inside the motor.

Mine went a few years back and the replacement only lasted a couple of
months before it started again. Both sides use the same motor and the
drivers side IIRC was full of water because the electrical connector
faces upwards on that side. I WD40'd it and taped it up & it's been
fine ever since.

Get youself a new motor for around 40 dollars & just replace it. It
takes a good hour.
See Shoebox site on how to install one . http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech1.html/1/4th_gen

Mitch
terminal_crazy (AT) sand-hill (DOT) freeserve.co.uk

If the thermistor is going, the most common symptom is the window will
go up, or down, a very short distance like half an inch and stop.
After a minute or so (while the thermistor cools down) it will go
another half an inch. Yours sound more like the switch. I had a bad
switch and swapped it out with the passenger side. Worked fine but,
of course, the problem moved to that side. At least it isolated the
problem.

If you do replace the motor, Autozone has a lifetime warranty on them.
Also after you drill out the rivets that hold the motor, replace them
with small bolts. Makes it much easier if it goes out again.

On Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:13:57 -0700 (PDT), terminal_crazy
<mitch (AT) sand-hill (DOT) freeserve.co.uk> wrote:

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On Sep 15, 5:26*pm, Joe Granto <joe.gra... (AT) NoSpam (DOT) com> wrote:
Hey Joe,
I agree, you should probably just try changing out the window motor.
I found a rather inexpensive window motor for you costing 26 bucks!
That is a relatively cheap and inexpensive repair to your problem.
Go here and check out the motors for your car:
http://www.pontiactransampartsstore.com/Pontiac-Trans-AM-Interior/Pontiac-Trans-AM-Window-Motors-and-Parts