electrical
Power Window Regulator - Rear
for 2024 Tesla Roadster Tri Motor AWD · AWD
Difficulty
Moderate
Time
1.5 h
Tools
7
Steps
10
Replace a rear power window regulator on the 2024 Tesla Roadster. Note: the next-generation Roadster's production status and exact door internals are not publicly documented in detail; this procedure uses generic best-practice guidance and should be cross-referenced with the official Tesla Service Manual before proceeding.
Warnings
⚠️If at any point you see orange cabling or an HV component inside the door cavity or chassis, STOP. Do not proceed without Tesla-certified HV training.
⚠The 2024 Roadster has very limited public service documentation. If any step does not match what you find on the vehicle, stop and consult the official Tesla Service Manual rather than improvising.
⚠Door glass is heavy and can fall into the door cavity once the regulator is disconnected. Always support the glass with clamps or tape before releasing the regulator.
⚠Aluminum body panels — do not pry against painted edges with metal tools and never strike with a hammer. Use plastic trim tools only.
ℹ️After 12V battery disconnection, window auto-up/down and one-touch features may need to be re-initialized per Tesla's calibration procedure.
Tools required
Metric socket set (8mm, 10mm, 13mm)Essential
Torque wrench (4-30 Nm range)Essential
Plastic trim removal tool setEssential
Phillips and Torx driver setEssential
Painter's tape (to protect paint and glass)
Window glass support clamps or suction handlesEssential
Insulated gloves and safety glasses
Parts
- Rear power window regulator assembly (manufacturer-specified for 2024 Roadster) × 1 — Refer to Tesla Service Manual / EPC for the correct rear regulator P/N
- Door vapor barrier / butyl sealant (if barrier is damaged on removal) × 1 — OEM butyl sealing tape
- Replacement trim clips (commonly damaged on removal) × 1 — OEM door panel clip kit
Preparation
- Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
- Exit ALL doors with the key fob away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
- Disconnect the 12V (or 16V/48V on applicable models) low-voltage battery per the Tesla Service Manual location for the 2024 Roadster. Torque the terminal only when reinstalling.
- DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
- If at any point you encounter an orange cable, an HV component, or are unsure if a system is de-energized: STOP and consult a Tesla-certified technician.
- Lower the affected rear window roughly halfway (before disconnecting the 12V) to expose regulator-to-glass fasteners, if accessible through the door access holes.
- Protect the door sill, seat, and exterior paint with soft covers or painter's tape.
- Have a helper available — rear door glass can be awkward to support solo.
Procedure
- 1Remove rear interior door trim panelCarefully release any screw covers and remove visible fasteners around the armrest, grab handle, and lower edge of the rear door trim. Using a plastic trim tool, work around the perimeter to release the retaining clips. Lift the panel up and off the window belt, then disconnect any electrical connectors (switch pack, speaker, courtesy light) before fully removing the panel.⚠Pull connectors straight off by their locking tabs — do not yank wiring. Replace any broken trim clips on reassembly.
- 2Remove vapor barrierCarefully peel back the plastic vapor/acoustic barrier from the inner door, preserving the butyl sealant where possible. If the barrier tears, plan to replace it on reassembly to maintain weather and NVH sealing.
- 3Support the door glassReach through the access openings and support the rear door glass with a suction handle or by clamping/taping it to the top of the door frame so it cannot drop into the cavity once disconnected from the regulator.⚠Unsupported glass can fall and shatter inside the door, damaging the regulator track and door skin.
- 4Disconnect glass from regulatorThrough the access holes, locate the regulator-to-glass clamps or fasteners. Loosen the clamping bolts (or release the clip mechanism per the Tesla Service Manual) and carefully separate the glass from the regulator carriage. Lift the glass upward and secure it at the top of the door opening with tape.
- 5Disconnect regulator electrical connectorLocate the motor harness connector on the regulator assembly. Release the lock tab and unplug the connector. Inspect for corrosion or pin damage and address before installing the new unit.
- 6Remove the regulator assemblyRemove the regulator mounting fasteners from the inner door structure. The exact count and pattern vary; remove them in a cross pattern, supporting the assembly so it does not drop. Maneuver the regulator out through the largest access opening. Torque the new fasteners to the manufacturer-specified bracket/mounting value on installation.ℹ️If the documented torque for these specific door fasteners differs in the Tesla Service Manual, follow the service manual value rather than the generic bracket spec.Torque specBracket Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
- 7Compare old and new regulatorsLay the new regulator next to the old one to confirm motor orientation, cable routing, carriage position, and connector pinout match. Pre-position the new carriage to the same height as the original to ease glass reattachment.
- 8Install new regulatorManeuver the new regulator into the door cavity and align it with the mounting holes. Hand-thread all fasteners first, then torque per the manufacturer-specified bracket value (or service manual value if different). Reconnect the motor electrical connector until it clicks and locks.Torque specBracket Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)Connector Screws4 Nm (3 lb-ft)
- 9Reattach glass to regulatorLower the glass back onto the regulator carriage and align it in the clamps. Snug the glass clamp fasteners evenly, ensuring the glass is centered front-to-rear in the run channel. Torque to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual.⚠Overtightening glass clamps can crack the laminated rear glass. Tighten progressively and only to the manufacturer-specified value.
- 10Functional test before sealing the doorTemporarily reconnect the 12V battery (terminal torque per spec), close the door, and cycle the window fully up and down several times. Listen for binding, watch for tilt, and confirm the glass seats fully into the seal. Disconnect the 12V again before reinstalling the vapor barrier and trim.Torque specBattery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)
Reassembly
- Reinstall or replace the vapor barrier, ensuring a continuous butyl seal around the perimeter.
- Reconnect the door panel sub-harnesses (switch pack, speaker, courtesy lighting).
- Seat the door panel onto the belt line first, then press around the perimeter to engage all clips. Replace any broken clips.
- Reinstall any screws and screw covers in the armrest/grab handle.
- Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery and torque the terminal to the Battery Terminal Bolts spec — do not overtighten.
- Perform window auto-up/down re-initialization per the Tesla Service Manual procedure for the 2024 Roadster (typically: hold the switch up until fully closed and hold for several seconds, then hold down until fully open and hold; verify per the service manual).
Verification
- Cycle the rear window fully up and down at least five times — motion should be smooth, quiet, and without tilt or binding.
- Verify auto-up (if equipped) reverses correctly when an obstruction is encountered — required for pinch-protection compliance.
- Confirm the glass seals fully against the upper weatherstrip with no wind-noise gap.
- Check the door for water intrusion by spraying the glass and door seam with a hose and inspecting the inside of the door card area for moisture.
- Scan the vehicle for any door/window related alerts on the center display; clear any transient codes after re-initialization.
- Note: this job does not affect Tesla's recommended service intervals (brake fluid every 2 years, cabin filter every 2 years, drive unit fluid per current Tesla guidance), but it is a good time to check the cabin filter age if it has not been serviced recently.