nice96gt
07-23-2005, 12:12 PM
Door Panel Removal for 96-98 Grand Am with power windows/mirrors.
It will be basically the same for manual windows but I am unfamiliar with how they are removed. I think you need a special tool to remove the crank.
Approximate location of screws and plugs
http://www.geocities.com/crashemail/screws_plugs.jpg
1. Remove both screws from the pocket near the window/lock switches
http://www.geocities.com/crashemail/pocket_screws.jpg
2. Pull up on the window/lock switch panel and take it out.
http://www.geocities.com/crashemail/windowswitch_panel.jpg
3. Disconnect the wires using the quick disconnect clips. Place the panel to the side and out of the way.
http://www.geocities.com/crashemail/windowlock_wire.jpg
4. Pop out the trim piece that surrounds the door handle and set aside.
http://www.geocities.com/crashemail/doorhandle_trim.jpg
5. Using a flathead screwdriver, pop the little red door reflector out and remove the screw from inside the little hole.
http://www.geocities.com/crashemail/reflect_remove.jpg
This next step could vary depending on the options of your Grand Am. Mine had the upgraded sound system and had stock tweeters with pods.
6. Using a flathead screwdriver, carefully pry the tweeter pod away from the door. You want to make sure you are prying right where the plugs are holding it to the door so that it easily comes off and nothing breaks.
http://www.geocities.com/crashemail/tweetpod.jpg
For those without tweeters, I assume the removal is pretty much the same of the sail panel just without the wiring.
7. Once you have both plugs out disconnect the tweeter at the quick disconnect clip and set aside.
http://www.geocities.com/crashemail/tweeterpod_off.jpg
8. There are a number of white plugs holding the door panel to the door that need to be popped out to remove the door panel. I used a long screwdriver wrapped in a cloth so not to scratch any of the paint. The best way of seeing where the plugs are to pop out is by laying on the ground under the door and looking up between the door panel and the door. Slide the screwdriver up between the two and find one of the plugs, pry the door panel away from the door until you hear a pop and the plug come free. Do this to the rest. There are about 6-8 in total all around the outside of the door.
http://www.geocities.com/crashemail/reflect_remove.jpg
9. Once all of the plugs have been popped out, there are 2 plugs on the top of the door panel still holding it on, these have to be popped out. Standing on the inside of the door, push the door panel towards the door and slide the entire door panel straight up. This should cause the plugs to come free. If they feel like they are stuck, pull the door panel (at the window seal) back a little bit with your fingers and you'll see the 2 plugs, pop one out and then the other using a little bit of force.
10. Once these are out, disconnect the power mirror control at the quick disconnect clip.
11. Remove door panel.
12. Re-installation...reverse steps.
It will be basically the same for manual windows but I am unfamiliar with how they are removed. I think you need a special tool to remove the crank.
Approximate location of screws and plugs
http://www.geocities.com/crashemail/screws_plugs.jpg
1. Remove both screws from the pocket near the window/lock switches
http://www.geocities.com/crashemail/pocket_screws.jpg
2. Pull up on the window/lock switch panel and take it out.
http://www.geocities.com/crashemail/windowswitch_panel.jpg
3. Disconnect the wires using the quick disconnect clips. Place the panel to the side and out of the way.
http://www.geocities.com/crashemail/windowlock_wire.jpg
4. Pop out the trim piece that surrounds the door handle and set aside.
http://www.geocities.com/crashemail/doorhandle_trim.jpg
5. Using a flathead screwdriver, pop the little red door reflector out and remove the screw from inside the little hole.
http://www.geocities.com/crashemail/reflect_remove.jpg
This next step could vary depending on the options of your Grand Am. Mine had the upgraded sound system and had stock tweeters with pods.
6. Using a flathead screwdriver, carefully pry the tweeter pod away from the door. You want to make sure you are prying right where the plugs are holding it to the door so that it easily comes off and nothing breaks.
http://www.geocities.com/crashemail/tweetpod.jpg
For those without tweeters, I assume the removal is pretty much the same of the sail panel just without the wiring.
7. Once you have both plugs out disconnect the tweeter at the quick disconnect clip and set aside.
http://www.geocities.com/crashemail/tweeterpod_off.jpg
8. There are a number of white plugs holding the door panel to the door that need to be popped out to remove the door panel. I used a long screwdriver wrapped in a cloth so not to scratch any of the paint. The best way of seeing where the plugs are to pop out is by laying on the ground under the door and looking up between the door panel and the door. Slide the screwdriver up between the two and find one of the plugs, pry the door panel away from the door until you hear a pop and the plug come free. Do this to the rest. There are about 6-8 in total all around the outside of the door.
http://www.geocities.com/crashemail/reflect_remove.jpg
9. Once all of the plugs have been popped out, there are 2 plugs on the top of the door panel still holding it on, these have to be popped out. Standing on the inside of the door, push the door panel towards the door and slide the entire door panel straight up. This should cause the plugs to come free. If they feel like they are stuck, pull the door panel (at the window seal) back a little bit with your fingers and you'll see the 2 plugs, pop one out and then the other using a little bit of force.
10. Once these are out, disconnect the power mirror control at the quick disconnect clip.
11. Remove door panel.
12. Re-installation...reverse steps.