Gone are the days of using hand cranks to make your windows move up and down, thanks to standard or optional power windows in most modern vehicles. Working power windows can make drive-thru transactions easier, help pets and passengers enjoy some airflow while driving, and can prevent poor weather from affecting your car’s interior. If you’ve enjoyed cruising with the windows down and suddenly they aren’t going back up, or if they just aren’t performing as they should, this could be cause for concern. Non-working windows can also be especially problematic if there’s cold or wet weather headed your way. But don’t worry, diagnosing and understanding issues with your power windows is usually easy, and can lead you to a simple DIY repair so you can get back to enjoying your car.
How Do Power Windows Work?
Why Do Power Windows Fail?
Your power window system is primarily made up of the power window motor, window regulator, and the connected switches and electronics that control the system. Many power window failures happen at the window regulator and the window motor, which are the components that move your windows up and down. However, wiring, fuses, relays, and switches cannot be ruled out and should always be diagnosed when there is an issue.
Windows Won’t Roll Up or Down or Require Several Tries
If you find yourself clicking the window switch more than once to operate your window, there could be a few problems that can cause this issue. Ideally, your windows should move immediately when you engage the switch or button, but mechanical wear or even debris in the switch can cause your windows to respond more slowly or not at all. Corrosion or debris in your window switch or its connections can interrupt communication with the window motor, which can prevent the motor from operating or cause it to operate intermittently. The window motor likely won’t fail immediately, but damage to the motor connections or its internal components could cause the windows to operate slowly for a time before it completely stops working. If you experience windows that aren’t working or responding, inspect the power window switch and the window motor and regulator assembly, since the signs of failure across these components can be similar. You may also need to check the condition of connectors or confirm the presence of power using a multimeter to determine if the system is properly receiving and sending electrical signals.
A complete loss of power to the window switches and motor could also be caused by a faulty window relay or fuse. A bad fuse can exhibit problems like non-working windows and no sound from the motor, and it’s common for all of the windows to be affected by a blown fuse in the circuit. In most cases, a single fuse supplies power to the entire power window system, so this is a great place to start your diagnosis. A failing window relay can exhibit the same symptoms of failure as a bad window motor or fuse, but not all cars are designed with a window relay as part of the system. Check your owner’s manual to determine the location of your power window relay or fuse, and inspect each of these components to help pinpoint the source of the issue. You can also learn more with our article, which discusses the reasons fuses blow.
You Are Only Able To Control Windows From The Master Switch
The master switch for your windows is usually located on the driver’s side door panel, and has buttons that control each of your vehicle’s windows independently. If your windows do not respond to the individual window switches on each door and only function when using the master switch, there could be an issue with one or more of the power window switches. Inspecting your power window switches can help you rule out the window motor if the master switch still controls the window. This can help you distinguish this issue as an electrical or mechanical problem to help you make the appropriate diagnosis and repair.
Grinding or Clicking Noises When Rolling Window Up or Down
Another sign of mechanical failure caused by a bad power window motor or regulator is the sound of clicking or grinding when you press the window switch. If you hear abnormal sounds while pressing your window switch, whether the window moves or not, this could indicate the presence of debris in the window channels or damage to the motor assembly. Depending on the source of problem, continuing to use a car window with these symptoms can cause glass to crack or shatter due to binding. If you notice these sounds, the motor and regulator should be inspected and possibly replaced before further use to prevent damage.
Window Rolls Up or Down Too Slow Or Too Fast
If your window is either moving more quickly or slower than normal, there could be an issue with the window motor. A window’s speed is set and limited by the window motor, which helps prevent the car’s window glass from breaking or cracking from rapid movement. Electrical problems with the window motor or obstructions in the regulator assembly can often account for this change in speed. In some cases, a failing alternator or dying battery could also cause windows to roll up and down more slowly, and it may be necessary to inspect your charging system to be certain it is operating properly. It’s important to diagnose any problems with window speed as soon as possible to prevent damage to your vehicle’s glass and keep your windows working as they should.
Window Falls Into the Door, Seems Crooked, Or Won’t Stay Rolled Up
If your window’s glass slips in the frame, refuses to stay up, or looks crooked, this could be another symptom of window regulator failure or sticky window tracks. Your window regulator assembly helps hold and lock the windows at a certain position, as well as ensuring that they raise and lower evenly. Heat and constant use can cause the window motor and regulator assembly to begin to fail, resulting in crooked or slipping glass. If the regulator is severely damaged, or if the gears on the window motor have stripped or suffered damage, the window may even fall down into the door and no longer raise up as it should. This issue typically requires replacement of the window motor, window regulator, or other parts that support the window in its raised position and allow it to be lifted and lowered.
In other cases, dry climates or a lack of lubrication can cause windows to become stuck in the channels that help hold and secure car window glass. The glass can even get stuck on the window felt or window sweep strips that seal your car interior and the inside of your door from sound and weather. If you think dryness is a factor in your window’s sub-par performance, you can try greasing the window channels inside the doors. Window channel greasing can help eliminate the binding and cocking action of an under-lubricated channel, and you can make it easier for your window to roll up and down by using silicone spray and lubricants on the window sweeps or window tracks.
Older cars may also experience crooked windows, which may be due to adjustable window channels and stoppers. If you drive an older vehicle and notice your windows are uneven or moving incorrectly, there could be an issue with the frame or window tracks. However, if your older vehicle does not have a window frame and rolls up too far, if the window moves up and down unevenly, or if your window comes off the adjustable track, there may be an issue with the channels or stop points that requires adjustment or greasing.
If your window glass has fallen inside the door, you should not try to grab it using any tools. Items like pliers can easily break the window due to sharp edges and too much force being exerted on one spot. It’s recommended that you carefully raise the glass by hand once you’ve removed the interior door panel and can reach inside the door to manually lift the window. Once the window glass has been raised, ensure that it is not able to fall back into the door while you complete the rest of your repair, as this kind of impact can shatter the window inside the door.
Inspecting and repairing the power windows on your vehicle may seem like a big task, but with a few pointers, you’ll be able to get your windows back on track. The first piece of advice for performing a car window repair and replacing the window regulator and motor is to ensure the window is safely supported or removed from the door prior to any repairs being made. Removing or securing the glass before performing repairs can help prevent personal injury, damage to your vehicle, and lessens the chance of cracking, breaking, or scratching your car window during this procedure. It’s also important to remember that replacement window motors are often already wired to a connector out of the box, although in some instances the connections may need to be reversed to prevent the window moving in the opposite direction of the switch. There may be separate connections for both the raising and lowering functions of your window that are communicated through two separate wires on the window motor, so if you notice your car windows only move in one direction, there could be an issue on one side of this connection, in the switch, or in the motor itself.
Perform the right diagnostic tests and find the best power window replacement parts at O’Reilly Auto Parts to keep using your windows safely and easily. We stock high-quality power window parts, from window switches, window motors, and window relays to window channels and guides to give you the confidence and peace of mind that your repair will last as long as possible.
If you’re missing a tool you need for this one-time repair, take advantage of our Loaner Tool Program, where you can rent a tool with a refundable deposit to help you get the job done right the first time. We would also be happy to recommend a trusted local repair shop if you are not confident in diagnosing or performing any of these window repairs. Find an O’Reilly Auto Parts near you or shop online to get the parts you need either shipped to your door or available for in-store pickup to help you complete a stress-free window repair.
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