Crystal Lite Blind Repair
Crystal Lite Blind Repair
I'm starting to take my roof apart to repair one of my blinds. I was following the couple of posts I could find and have a simple question for those who have gone before me. The main section where the light is is held in by what appear to be plastic inserts of some kind. They don't unscrew, I haven't been able to get hold of them when needle nose pliers I need a few suggestions besides drilling them out and buy new ones.
Any technique that works would be appreciated. I've added a picture to show where it is.
Thanks
Larry
Any technique that works would be appreciated. I've added a picture to show where it is.
Thanks
Larry
- Attachments
-
- The little black thing is the problem!!
- 100_8004a.JPG (343.2 KiB) Viewed 13164 times
-
- Posts: 265
- Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2013 11:14 am
- Member's Photo Album: http://www.delica.ca/Photos/
- Vehicle: L300
- Location: Abbotsford
Crystal Lite Blind Repair
the center piece unthreads then the plastic clip becomes free to release. Sometimes the threads strip and it wont unthread. You may need to get a pick under the screw portion to help coax it out.
-
- Posts: 904
- Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2010 7:21 am
- Member's Photo Album: http://www.delica.ca/Photos/
- Vehicle: 99 white Hi roof gas Chamonix
- Location: Coquitlam B.C.
- Location: coquitlam canada
Crystal Lite Blind Repair
Larry
They look like barb fittings. If so rip them out and buy more from Amayama. Go to their website, describe the fitting and they'll find them and send you a quote. Delica uses lots of them to hold plastic panels on.
MD
They look like barb fittings. If so rip them out and buy more from Amayama. Go to their website, describe the fitting and they'll find them and send you a quote. Delica uses lots of them to hold plastic panels on.
MD
Wear your mask, it keeps others from seeing the parsley in your teeth
- north54
- Posts: 194
- Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2013 10:29 pm
- Member's Photo Album: http://www.delica.ca/Photos/
- Vehicle: 1989 P35W
- Location: Vancouver
Crystal Lite Blind Repair
I have 3 blinds that don't work. Please post your process of repair if you can! Will be following this thread closely...
TRUSTY RUSTY
Crystal Lite Blind Repair
Well I spent the day carefully taking things apart and only have the rear half left to get access to the blinds. I confirmed that my problem is the plastic clips which I think is most common. The plastic pieces I referred to above are now out and as expected are in pieces as well. I'll get organized to see about getting some as well as other little push-in pieces once I've figured out how many I need. Amayama has them you think MD - we'll find out next week. I'm using the 2 posts below to take things apart and to build the clips. If anyone has comments or needs a few pictures let me know. I'll post what I've taken once I'm finished In the meantime below are the plastic inserts.
http://www.delica.ca/forum/viewtopic.ph ... ade+repair
http://www.delica.ca/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 8e8#p80520
http://www.delica.ca/forum/viewtopic.ph ... ade+repair
http://www.delica.ca/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 8e8#p80520
- Attachments
-
- 100_8007a.JPG (676.05 KiB) Viewed 13136 times
-
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:43 am
- Member's Photo Album: http://www.delica.ca/Photos/
- Vehicle: 1993 L300
- Location: East Van
- Location: East Van
Crystal Lite Blind Repair
I've got two that are also broken. my buddy sent me this link.
http://thedelicapage.blogspot.ca/2007/0 ... tions.html
Does anybody knows the best place to grab these motors and how much do they run?
I will also be following.
http://thedelicapage.blogspot.ca/2007/0 ... tions.html
Does anybody knows the best place to grab these motors and how much do they run?
I will also be following.
- tomaboyd
- Posts: 47
- Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2016 11:18 am
- Member's Photo Album: http://www.delica.ca/Photos/
- Vehicle: 1991 Delica Exceed
- Location: Portland, OR
Crystal Lite Blind Repair
Those clips are not Delica specific. They are very common. A good parts store should have them in different sizes.
Crystal Lite Blind Repair
The blind repair is now done and tested. The clips that Jamie made work fine BUT it certainly is not as simple as he made it seem. I will put together the pictures I took as well as comments in the near future. For now I have the following observations:
1. Don't bother if you only have 1 problem blind especially if it is the one adjacent the sliding door.
2. Be prepared to remove the entire roof from front to back and have a place to put it as there are a lot of pieces.
3. Don't hurry the process as bad things can happen.
4. Make sure you have a good metric socket set and correct size of phillips screw driver for the various screws.
5. Make sure to use a proper autobody tool to remove all the plastic push in clips.
6. I removed the blind to practice the clip manufacture. This may not be necessary but it's easier to see what happens if it's on a work bench.
7. Use an alternate fused ( 5A ) source to test so you don't burn out any motors. A large supply of fuses is also a good idea.
Larry
1. Don't bother if you only have 1 problem blind especially if it is the one adjacent the sliding door.
2. Be prepared to remove the entire roof from front to back and have a place to put it as there are a lot of pieces.
3. Don't hurry the process as bad things can happen.
4. Make sure you have a good metric socket set and correct size of phillips screw driver for the various screws.
5. Make sure to use a proper autobody tool to remove all the plastic push in clips.
6. I removed the blind to practice the clip manufacture. This may not be necessary but it's easier to see what happens if it's on a work bench.
7. Use an alternate fused ( 5A ) source to test so you don't burn out any motors. A large supply of fuses is also a good idea.
Larry
Crystal Lite Blind Repair
The one blind I needed to fix was @ the passenger door so I began removing the ceiling and window treatment based on the idea that the rest of the roof could remain intact. It didn't take long to figure out this was not going to work as the center light covered bolts I needed to remove as well the cross duct covered some. This meant all but the rear would need to be removed. As it turned out to remove the shade I needed to remove the rear portion as well. If your problem blind is any of the other 3 and you think you can fit the new clip in place without removing the blind much of the roof may be able to stay in place. The removal I'll show will be for the complete roof which will give an idea of all the equipment covered. The one positive of removing the entire roof trim is you will be able to search for rust which is a common problem with CL roofs. I was lucky the only rust I could find was along the rear of the front sunroof and the CL area was dusty but just like new.
The curtains and side trim are the first to come out. The order is determined by overlaps. Three types of screws are used so you may want to note where they came from. In addition to screws and clips the weatherstripping around the window will need to be removed.
Nxski provides a lot of pictures of the removal in his post. He was looking for rust not blind repair but his pictures are a great compliment to the few I will add.
The curtains and side trim are the first to come out. The order is determined by overlaps. Three types of screws are used so you may want to note where they came from. In addition to screws and clips the weatherstripping around the window will need to be removed.
Nxski provides a lot of pictures of the removal in his post. He was looking for rust not blind repair but his pictures are a great compliment to the few I will add.
- Attachments
-
- Curtain trim removal DS
- 100_8013 1.JPG (381.83 KiB) Viewed 13048 times
-
- Top rail DS front
- 100_8089 2.JPG (337.32 KiB) Viewed 13048 times
-
- Top rail clips PS
- 100_8003 3.JPG (454.19 KiB) Viewed 13048 times
-
- Window trim completely removed
- 100_8001 4.JPG (337.31 KiB) Viewed 13048 times
Crystal Lite Blind Repair
The roof trim requires the removal of the trim around the florescent light first. Once that is complete. I think the front and rear trim are independent. The trim around the light is held in place by 4 plastic button clips and some spring clips that are part of the fixture. The plastic trim around the light is held by screws and a channel trim. The fixture itself can't be removed until one or both of the roof trims are removed unless you want to risk forcing it out. The screws that hold the light are a large Phillips type and strip very easily if you don't use the correct size tip. ( I have pictures )
- Attachments
-
- Trim removal
- 100_8004 1.JPG (343.2 KiB) Viewed 13047 times
-
- Light control removal
- 100_8005 2.JPG (338.44 KiB) Viewed 13047 times
-
- Duct trim removed
- 100_8008 3.JPG (337.65 KiB) Viewed 13047 times
-
- Light trim removed
- 100_8010 4.JPG (334.72 KiB) Viewed 13047 times
-
- Channel trim removal
- 100_8011 5.JPG (357.65 KiB) Viewed 13047 times
-
- Light fixture removed
- 100_8046 6.JPG (376.88 KiB) Viewed 13047 times
Crystal Lite Blind Repair
The front trim is a little trim around the doors, the duct work and weatherstripping around the front doors. I removed the trim for the panels behind the front doors which includes the seatbelts. This may not be required but if they are not removed this trim needs to be bent significantly. 25 year old plastic isn't noted for flexibility. The sun visors , dome light and mirror also need to be removed. The front trim pulls away from the front door pillars. Again the order is determined by the way the trim is overlapped.
- Attachments
-
- DS seatbelt trim
- 100_8017 5a.jpg (407.07 KiB) Viewed 13018 times
-
- Removal of channel trim and weatherstripping
- 100_8020 6.JPG (370.23 KiB) Viewed 13018 times
-
- Trim removed from Cross duct
- 100_7999 1.JPG (352.74 KiB) Viewed 13018 times
-
- Cross duct trim
- 100_7998 2.JPG (309.21 KiB) Viewed 13018 times
-
- Seat belt removal PS
- 100_8014 3.JPG (337.41 KiB) Viewed 13018 times
-
- Trim panels removed from PS seatbelt and front door
- 100_8016 4.JPG (373.28 KiB) Viewed 13018 times
Crystal Lite Blind Repair
Front area trim part 2:
- Attachments
-
- Trim clip for roof trim PS
- 100_8024 7.JPG (354.76 KiB) Viewed 13017 times
-
- Roof trim held by door pillar trim
- 100_8025 8JPG.jpg (313.49 KiB) Viewed 13017 times
-
- Cross duct support clip ( top )
- 100_8078 9.JPG (234.05 KiB) Viewed 13017 times
-
- Cross duct support bracket ( clip & bolt )
- 100_8079 10.JPG (307.62 KiB) Viewed 13017 times
-
- Front area with roof panel removed
- 100_8080 11a.jpg (463.05 KiB) Viewed 13017 times
Crystal Lite Blind Repair
The rear trim is held in place by a few push-in buttons, trim channel around the CL's and a couple screws @ the rear. The small trim pieces that join the roof and side trim also need to be removed.
- Attachments
-
- Rear speaker
- 100_7996 1.JPG (383.98 KiB) Viewed 13003 times
-
- Rear speaker access cover removed
- 100_8040 2.JPG (425.67 KiB) Viewed 13003 times
-
- Rear speaker cover removed
- 100_8041 3.JPG (465.71 KiB) Viewed 13003 times
-
- Rear light and duct trim
- 100_8042 4.JPG (258.4 KiB) Viewed 13003 times
-
- CL blind control removed
- 100_8043 5.JPG (316.24 KiB) Viewed 13003 times
-
- Rear side trim
- 100_8038 6.JPG (363.85 KiB) Viewed 13003 times
Crystal Lite Blind Repair
Rear area ceiling removal continued.
- Attachments
-
- Rear side trim removed
- 100_8039 7.JPG (293.57 KiB) Viewed 13003 times
-
- Rear ceiling trim buttons removed
- 100_8044 8.JPG (307.92 KiB) Viewed 13003 times
-
- Rear ceiling channel trim removal
- 100_8045 9.JPG (363.07 KiB) Viewed 13003 times
-
- Rear ceiling front buttons to remove
- 100_8011 10a.jpg (375.89 KiB) Viewed 13003 times
Crystal Lite Blind Repair
At this stage it can be determined whether the blind has failed due to broken clips or problems with the motors or cables. Usually if the blind has retracted the clip is broken. If it is stuck open or only operates partially then the motor or cable is likely the problem. The clips can be replaced with the metal clips made from pipe strap. If the motors or cables are the problem it usually means a new or used unit. Used units are available @ the typical suppliers. New ones are very expensive if available. Each blind is unique so if you order one make sure it is for the correct location. Luckily mine was a clip problem. The blinds are easily removed once the ceiling trim is out.
The blinds operate via a small cable that pushes the blind down and a spring return similar to a house blind. The clips appear to break where they go under the U channel. The clip is held in place on the cable between compression collars. A small C snap clip holds the blind clip on the rod in the blind.
The blinds operate via a small cable that pushes the blind down and a spring return similar to a house blind. The clips appear to break where they go under the U channel. The clip is held in place on the cable between compression collars. A small C snap clip holds the blind clip on the rod in the blind.
- Attachments
-
- Operating blind
- 100_8028 1a.jpg (390.71 KiB) Viewed 12980 times
-
- Broken clip
- 100_8034 2.JPG (362.84 KiB) Viewed 12980 times
-
- Broken clip rear
- 100_8036 3a.jpg (339.45 KiB) Viewed 12980 times
-
- Broken clip front
- 100_8037 4.JPG (434.76 KiB) Viewed 12980 times