rear window won't roll up

[JayTheSnork]

C5 A6 Avant... last night, I rolled down the passenger side rear window to clear the glass while the car was warming up. at that point, it wouldn't roll back up - at best, it would move up a couple of inches, then roll back down.

had my daughter activate the switch as I was trying to pull the window up, and got it to move a little bit, but it would eventually stop and go back in the fully down position.

anyone got any ideas on what to do about this one? I did a search, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of info here on this. I'm very familiar with B5/B6 A4 and other similar VAG products, and have replaced window regulators in the past - but it seems like the window clips aren't broken.

also, is there a DIY for pulling the door apart?

[seishuku]

Door card removal is pretty easy, two screws at the top (inside the jambs on the door), then the panel just slides up, just give the door handle a good yank upwards.
Just be careful of the wires that are attached (speakers and window power), and the cable for the latch handle.

As for the window, mine does the EXACT same thing, you can probably get it to go up the rest of the way by pulling it twards the front of the car (it usually gets cocked, sticks, then goes back down).
I haven't found a solution though, the regulator is ok as far as I can tell... But it just has a single block at the bottom that has a cable to run the window up/down, so it never seems to get even pressure... I tried lubricating the whole assembly, it seemed to help for a bit, but eventually goes back to the way it was... Though I never did try silicone spray on the window side seals where it slides up and down, maybe that's the trick? I donno.

[moyenecorniche]

The safety mode is triggered because of resistance or an obstruction so the window reverses. Try just clicking the button repeatedly so that you are closing the window incrementally. At the same time help it with your hand ( flat on the glass on the inside pushing upwards while you trigger the upward mode on the button. Then you can open upo the door and see whats up.
Silicone spray is good as it is inert to the rubber seals and fuzzy liners. Don't use any petroleum based sprays. Once you have the door opened up then you can lubricate the wheels and moving parts. See what Audi uses to lubricate those parts and get a similar product.

[JayTheSnork]

thanks for the tips! got the window to roll up. no time to investigate further right now, but will certainly be on it later today or tomorrow and report back what I find.

[MobsTTA]

beginning window regulator failure. Happened to wife's a4 avant. See partsgeek.com for part. PITA to replace but productive. The problem you have will just get worse, frequent failure to roll to the top and stay there, regulator is inevitable. Some good you tube video how tos.

[BlackOnBlackA6]

Could be a regulator showing signs of eminent failure, but hopefully it was just due to resistance in the gasket surrounding the window. Same thing happened to me and I eventually realized my car had been caught in the rain with the windows down at least 5 times over 5 years. I assumed that the gasket had swollen over time. Took a plastic tool and slid it along where the window would slide in to lock in place. That fixed it. It's been a year.

[BlackOnBlackA6]

FYI. Window still closing just fine.