1998 Celica Convertible Window Problems Options

[toyotakev]

Well I just woke up my convertible from a long Winter nap and put the top down and was reminded of a problem I did not take care of last fall, the rear windows! The drivers side rear window falls off track and the passenger side window stays on track but seems a little off. I asked the boys at the local Toyota dealer to give me a price to fix it and they want both an arm and a leg! They talked about replacing motors and such and I thought the motor works, the window just seems to fall off track. I am sure this is a common problem but I am new to the convertible so I wanted to get input from this Celica community! Also, the roof leaks at the drivers side window and seems like I needs new seals?? The top is original, the car spent its entire life in Southern California until a few years ago. I am sure the top wasnt up much!! I appreciate any help to keep this baby going, she looks amazing! Kevin

[CAGirl]

Great to hear you're getting some help, even if quote is expensive. Took my 1995 convertible beauty to mechanic (former Toyota Certified Master Mechanic) because right rear quarter window broke in the down position. Pack a lunch, here's the story. Verified by Toyota corporate, all Celicas in 90's were shipped from Japan as coupes and those destined to be convertibles, to respected ASC (American Sunroof Co) in Long Beach for conversion. Because chopping required body fortification/modifications, window mechanisms weren't Toyota parts, but custom parts. Now that ASC has gone out of business, I'm stuck. Mechanic, bless his heart, spent considerable time with surgery/diagnostics and said I needed a window regulator & motor, a subassembly guide and subassembly plate. I was able to source (& buy) all of those myself and provided them to him. Despite iterative tweaking of a handful of separate adjustments, he just couldn't make it work right and sent me on my way with the window in place (thank goodness), but not workable, cautioning me that the new rollers are under pressure and could snap off (again) if I rolled it down. He had no advice for me on how to resolve this unfortunately. This is California--would hate to have to keep the top up. Any of you have any good ideas? Kevin--get yours fixed/aligned before your rollers pop off (several different sources said that's a common problem) and mechanism bends the track and you need replacement parts AND labor! My problem happened in one fell swoop so no warning. Also, my top doesn't completely seal either. Usually a few drips on either side where the top meets the corners of the windshield, but I can live with that. I generally wash the car myself anyway without that high pressure water so problem is minimized. Thanks, Melinda