Disappearing window

[captain]

Is this a common thing? Window has fallen down inside the door

Not got any tools at work but will have a look when I get home, I assume if I remove the black plastic panel on the inner face of the door I'll be able to get to the mechanism?

[Shug]

Yes and Yes.

There's a clear plastic membrane in there glued on to keep the water mostly out of the cabin. You can pull this away without destroying it though. The window will have come unbonded from its three tabs that secure to the winder mechanism. There should be a wiki or something online somewhere to detail fixing, but it's a pain in the hoop. Also be prepared for extensive laceration as every bit of metal in there is razor sharp.

If there's a job I've done myself that I'd hand off to a specialist now, that's definitely a candidate...

[graeme]

Exactly what Shug said. Done it myself, not sure I could be bothered doing it again.. would pay a man if there's a handy one near you. By the time you've bought the proper bonding glue online, and lost your knuckle skin, and sworn your way through an entire Profanisaurus, you'll probably agree.



(N.B. see winder handle position on that schematic... That's viewed from the outside of the door, which is the back of what you'll see when you take the inside cover off. Very useful, Lotus, very useful.)

Three tabs aren't numbered on that pic, but they're the u-shaped square things on the bottom edge of the glass, and hold it to rail 21. They're just glued to the glass with something crap like Playskool PVA, or Dairylea Spreadable or something, and it fails on all S1s at some point.

Good luck!

[campbell]

Tiger Seal, or glass bond stuff, IIRC.

[Shug]

My dear old Da' (gawd rest his soul) managed to liberate some expensive bonding agent for aircraft windows from BAe Prestwick when I did the old Shugmobile, required the use of double-bagged gloves, just to be safe. Nasty stuff.

Unless you're rookit, utterly stuffed for time or a masochist, I'd pay a man

[campbell]

It's a character building job though.

[graeme]

If that character is a bleeding, foul-mouthed Basil Fawlty, then yes, yes it is.

[tut]

Brings back unhappy memories.

Are the non electric S2 windows the same as the S1?

tut

[captain]

I was pretty keen to have a go at stuff myself on this car but judging by your comments I might not make my first job this one!

Anyone care to recommend somebody in Aberdeen or the shire who might have done this in the past?

[captain]

Just got home and now the door won't open, at all! Arse.

[Shug]

That's mega unlucky - window might have jammed lock mechanism - never did that to me, but they never fell all the way in.

Don't let us put you off trying, incidentally, it's not essentially difficult, just frustrating and painful. Take some video, you'll enjoy watching it back with a few drinks

[graeme]

Not sure of any pros up here, but if you do end up DIY I'm in Kintore if you want a hand.

[campbell]

I think there is a pretty good how-to on the Elise-FAQ. You may even find a thread on it in our Technical section here...

[captain]

Thanks Grarme, that's very kind. I'm going to have a look at it tonight, in the vain hope it's something simple!

[Dominic]

Don't let us put you off trying, incidentally, it's not essentially difficult, just frustrating and painful. Take some video, you'll enjoy watching it back with a few drinks

Or have a few drinks before you do it, and the pain won't be so bad. What could possibly go wrong...