Alfa Spider Electric Window advice

[XFS 70]

Ok, so I have a 2008 model Alfa Spider. The drivers side window squeals like a bashee doing an extremely distressed pig expression. I cannot get to the bottom of it. I've gone as far as taking the window out and throwing lube at everything I can see. Been at it 3 hours! It does not appear to be the runners causing the problem and the motor seems fine. 

Short of just replacing the lot any suggestions?

Oh and the drivers door mirror doesn't work either. It folds electrically but won't adjust. The passenger side is fine. Looks like a sealed unit. I don't fancy £120 plus vat for a complete replacement especially as the switch unit has a broken toggle switch and all I can do is buy a complete replacement for £160 plus vat.

Gutted. Car looks fine, doesn't need paint or mechanicals...was banking on turning it round with no spend, now I,m looking at £300 plus whatever the window costs to get right. And half a day wasted so far.

[Mikey 19]

Usually silicon spray works well on these. With them being frameless windows they are prone to getting grit down the runners, so that can cause the squeal. Have you also had a look at the regulator? The cables can wear after a while and eventually snap at the spring end, but can be noisy before that happens. eBay is usually the best place for parts, and also Italian eBay too.

I've just rejected a 2008 2.2 LE Spider at Auction for not being as described. It wasn't from Leeds was it lol?

[Mikey 19]

The only adjustment is where the actual glass is attached to the mechanism. The holes through the glass is much larger than the securing bolt that goes through it, so this gives you lateral and vertical movement so the window closes properly. On the 939 series cars the window drops an inch when you open the door, and likewise when you close it, it drops then rises again to seal against the body rubbers.

[XFS 70]

6 hours ago, Mikey said:

Usually silicon spray works well on these. With them being frameless windows they are prone to getting grit down the runners, so that can cause the squeal. Have you also had a look at the regulator? The cables can wear after a while and eventually snap at the spring end, but can be noisy before that happens. eBay is usually the best place for parts, and also Italian eBay too.

I've just rejected a 2008 2.2 LE Spider at Auction for not being as described. It wasn't from Leeds was it lol?

No, this one came from Belle Vue and seems pretty much as described.

I,ve pumped silicon spray at everything. I,ve got the door card out, the speaker out and took the glass out to relieve the pressure on the runners, no difference, getting worse if anything. 

The problem with the mirror switch is a broken toggle for the passenger side, the unit itself is fine. I,m guessing the mirror is a problem with the motor. I,m taking it to a garage for a second opinion/another pair of eyes tomorrow.

[XFS 70]

Well, my second opinion said I needed a new regulator. I wasn't convinced....

Took a fresh look at it this morning, unbolted the regulator and squirted silicon everywhere I could find to squirt it, still no joy. 

I had already thrown lube by the pint at all the nylon pulley,s but as a last resort I revisited them all and squirted silicon at each one whilst simaltanously operating the window repeatedly...and bingo...at last!!! Problem solved. 

And I sold my landmark BMW. And the sun is shining.

[Mikey 19]

Well that's a result then... See I told you lol.

Anyway It wouldn't be an Italian car if it didn't make some sort of noise! I like to call it character  

[XFS 70]

12 minutes ago, Mikey said:

Well that's a result then... See I told you lol.

Anyway It wouldn't be an Italian car if it didn't make some sort of noise! I like to call it character  

The thing is if a German car gave me the problems an Alfa always does, I would hate it. But you kind of indulge Alfa's and just accept their flaws. I love Alfa's, so do other people it seems, good lower milage ones are not easy to buy!

[Mikey 19]

18 hours ago, XFS said:

The thing is if a German car gave me the problems an Alfa always does, I would hate it. But you kind of indulge Alfa's and just accept their flaws. I love Alfa's, so do other people it seems, good lower milage ones are not easy to buy!

Yep agreed on both counts... 939 series cars particularly the Sportwagon's are going for silly money now. They seem to have had zero depreciation over the last few years. I sold a 1750tbi ti SW, one of the last off the line with the darkened 19'' ti wheels and mirrors for 14.5k in 2014, and a similar spec one at a London Specialist last month went the same money!!

 

 

[XFS 70]

Tried to buy a 159 2.4 Ti today (maybe you did to) 

I would have paid what I thought was good money, but didn't get near it, made £1400 over cap clean and it was a grade 3 with a noisy fly wheel and 4 owners! 

[Mikey 19]

No not me... Wouldn't have touched that to be honest... Dual mass on those are mega expensive, although the 2.4 5 pot is bomb proof, and a fabulous engine that will tune to 300bhp easily! Vastly underrated, and very addictive once turned, and actually sound good with the 5 pot burble for the devils fuel lol. Grade 3 BCA are usually pretty bad, Manheim not quite so, but with those sort of prices there's nothing left in the deal.

I bought a mint 1 owner Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition instead today. Just waiting for quotes to come back from Movex to get it delivered as I'm too busy to get it.   

[XFS 70]

Sorry, not a noisy flywheel, i,ve got flywheels on the brain as I,ve been caught out and they give me nightmares. Anyway, it was miles overpriced and had issues. I find BCA grade 3 is a lottery online, sometimes you win sometimes you lose. ive had grade 3,s which are retail ready with a good clean and polish, others which need a fortune on bodywork...I would say the same if grade 2 actually. 

I like Saabs to, not had one in a long time...are they easy to sell?

[Mikey 19]

Yeah they have a strong following and very similar customers to Alfas. Clean low mileage one owner cars are getting rare now, especially as the newest are 6 years old already. Like most things, condition and history is everything in this market, and enthusiasts of the brand will pay good money if all of that is right.