How to Fix an Electric Window in a Car: A Comprehensive Guide

1. What Causes Electric Windows to Fail?

Electric windows usually fail due to blown fuses, malfunctioning switches, or burned-out motors. According to a study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute in 2022, electrical issues account for approximately 60% of power window failures. Less frequently, the window regulator might wear out, bend, or jam.

These problems range in difficulty to fix. Some are simple enough for a DIY fix, while others need specialized tools or a professional mechanic. CARDIAGTECH.NET offers a wide array of automotive diagnostic tools to help you pinpoint the exact cause.

Here are some basic troubleshooting tips when your electric windows refuse to cooperate:

1. Check the Window Safety Lock-Out Switch: If the lockout switch is active, windows won’t budge. Always check this first, as it’s easy to accidentally engage these switches.
2. Check the Fuses: If no windows work, inspect the fuses. Replace any blown ones. If the fuse blows again, there may be a short circuit. Never use a higher amperage fuse than recommended.
3. Listen to the Window Switch: Push the window switch up and down. If you hear a sound inside the door, the switch is likely working. A faulty electric window motor or a stuck regulator could be the culprit.
4. Watch the Dash Gauges: Another way to rule out a bad switch is to observe the volt gauge on your dash. If it flickers even slightly when you press the switch, suspect a bad motor.
5. Test Other Switches: If the passenger window isn’t working, try the main switch on the driver’s side or center console. If it responds, the passenger switch is defective.
6. Swap Switches (If Possible): In some cars, the window switches are identical, allowing you to swap them. If a window starts working with a different switch, the original switch is bad.
7. Check Power to the Switch: If the switch has power and ground, suspect the wiring or the motor.
8. Check Power to the Motor: If the motor receives power and ground but the window remains still, the motor is likely faulty.

2. How Can You Temporarily Roll Up a Stuck Electric Window?

Sometimes, depending on the failure, you can roll up a stuck power window. If the switch is okay but the motor is bad, jarring the motor while holding the switch might work temporarily, according to automotive expert John Cadogan in a 2021 article.

Here’s how to try it without any tools:

1. Turn the ignition to the “on” or “accessory” position. Ensure other windows and the radio work to confirm the correct position.
2. Press and hold the window switch in the “closed” or “up” position, ensuring you press the side that closes the window.
3. With the button depressed, open and slam the car door. Repeat a few times if necessary. If successful while keeping the button pushed, the window should roll up.
   • If successful, avoid rolling it down until you can properly fix it, as this temporary fix might not work again.
4. If the window still doesn’t roll up, close the door and identify where the door panel contacts the sheet metal inside the door.
   • If unsure, search online for images of your car with the door panel removed.
5. Depress the switch and strike this location with your fist or a blunt object, being careful not to hurt yourself or damage the door.
6. If the window rolls up, leave it until you fix the problem. If it doesn’t, check for a bad fuse, switch, or window motor, or consult a professional.

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A young girl is gazing out of a car window.

3. What If the Window Is Out of Its Track?

If the window makes a grinding sound or you don’t hear the motor, the window might be off track, or there might be a regulator issue. According to a 2023 report by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), misalignment is a common cause of window issues.

Try this if the window isn’t all the way down:

1. Turn the ignition to the accessory position.
2. With the door open, place your palms on either side of the window.
3. Have someone push the window switch.
4. Apply pressure and try lifting the window up.
   • You may need to grip the top of the window for enough force. Be careful, as the window can suddenly move.

If the window is fully down and you hear grinding or see it rock back and forth, removing the door panel is necessary to lift the window while pushing the switch.

4. How to Check the Lockout Switch?

Power window motors and switches can fail due to wear. Start with the simplest issue: the lockout switch.

Most vehicles with power windows have a safety lockout switch, usually on or near the main switch panel on the driver’s door or center console. This prevents children or animals from accidentally opening the windows.

If windows stop working, check this switch first. It’s easy to accidentally bump it. The switch icon usually resembles a crossed-out window.

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Close-up of a power window lockout switch, indicating its function to disable window controls.

Press the lockout switch, then try the windows again. If they work, the problem is solved.

5. Are Blown Fuses Causing the Problem?

In most cars, all window motors are on the same circuit, powered by one fuse. If all windows stop working simultaneously, a blown fuse is likely the cause. Replacing it might solve the problem.

Fuse boxes are typically under the dash, in the glove compartment, or in the engine compartment. Some vehicles have multiple fuse boxes. If you can’t find yours, consult your owner’s manual, contact your local dealer, or search online.

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A car fuse box displays both intact and blown fuses, highlighting the need to check for fuse failure when all windows suddenly stop working.

Locate the power window fuse, remove it, and inspect it. Most automotive fuses are semi-transparent, allowing you to see if it’s blown.

If you can’t tell visually, use a test light or voltmeter to check for power on both sides. If you’re not comfortable doing this, take your car to a professional. CARDIAGTECH.NET offers a range of affordable and reliable voltmeters.

If the fuse is blown, replace it with a new one of the exact same amperage rating. This may restore window function, but the fuse will blow again if there’s a short circuit or a motor problem causing excessive amperage draw.

Never replace a blown fuse with a larger one, as it could cause a fire.

6. How to Identify Window Motor Malfunctions?

Diagnosing a car window issue often requires specialized equipment. Before removing the door panel, look for simple clues to narrow down the problem.

Some cars have a voltage meter on the dash, which typically shows between 12 and 13 volts when off, increasing when the engine is running. It’s not precise but indicates if the charging system works.

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Dashboard voltage gauge, useful for determining window motor issues.

Here’s how to use the voltmeter to check the window motor switch:

1. Turn the key to the accessory position to activate dash lights and gauges.
2. Push the window switch.
3. Watch for any movement on the voltage meter.
   • If the voltage meter moves slightly, the electric window motor is trying to work, meaning the switch is fine, and the motor is likely bad.

It’s also possible that the regulator is bent, broken, or seized, which requires removing the door panel for a visual inspection. If you lack the tools or expertise, consult a professional. CARDIAGTECH.NET provides all the necessary tools for this task.

7. How to Rule Out Bad Window Switches?

Some vehicles use identical power window switches for each window. If only one window isn’t working, remove the switch from a working window.

Temporarily replace the non-working window’s switch with the working one and try to close the window.

If the window closes, the original switch is bad and needs replacement. If it still doesn’t close, there may be a wiring problem or a bad window motor.

8. How to Check for Power at a Car Window Switch?

Further diagnostics require specialized equipment and knowledge. If you lack a voltmeter or aren’t comfortable working on your car, consult a professional.

If you have a voltmeter, check for power and ground at the power window switch. Most switches have a single power terminal, two ground terminals, and two terminals connected to the window motor.

If your car’s switches follow this pattern:

• One terminal should show power in the neutral position.
• Two terminals should show ground.
• The last two should have neither power nor ground.

When you push the switch, one of the last two terminals should have power, and the other should have ground. Pushing the switch in the other direction should reverse this.

Different results indicate a bad switch, unless the switch lacks power or ground, indicating a wiring problem. Check where wires pass into the door, as they can become crimped and break.

9. How to Check for Power at a Car Window Motor?

If the switch is fine, check for power at the motor, which requires removing the door panel. If the panel hasn’t been removed before, there will likely be a protective plastic sheet and possibly a second interior panel to access the motor.

With the door panel off, use your voltmeter to check for power at the motor. With the ignition key in the accessory position and your voltmeter hooked up, activate the window switch.

If you see voltage at the motor, but the motor doesn’t operate, then the motor is bad and needs replacement. CARDIAGTECH.NET offers a variety of reliable replacement motors.

10. How Do Car Windows Work?

Car windows use a part called a regulator to raise and lower them inside channels. Manual windows have regulators physically connected to cranks, while electric windows have regulators connected to motors.

Since manual and electric windows have different components, they fail for different reasons:

• Electric Windows: Use a reversible electric motor connected to a regulator. Switches, wiring, and the motor can fail, and the regulator can get stuck or fail.
• Manual Windows: Use a hand crank and a mechanical regulator. Gears in the regulator or crank can strip, the regulator can bend, and the regulator can get stuck due to dried-out grease.

11. Manual Windows That Won’t Roll Up or Down: How to Fix?

Manual windows are simpler than power windows. Since there are no electronics, only two things can cause them to fail: stripped gears in the crank or a problem with the regulator.

Unlike power windows, there’s no quick way to force a stuck manual window up. Pulling the window might worsen the problem by bending or breaking the regulator.

To diagnose a manual window, remove the window crank and door panel for a visual inspection.

When turning the crank, note how it feels. If it freewheels or feels like grinding, the teeth inside the crank might be stripped. Remove the crank and inspect it. If the teeth are stripped, replace the crank.

If the crank is good, remove the door panel and inspect the window and regulator. Ensure the window hasn’t popped out of the channel. If it has, popping it back in might allow you to roll it up.

Sometimes, the regulator might be bound up, caught on something, or the grease has dried out. Freeing the regulator or applying new grease can resolve these issues.

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A stuck manual window regulator, highlighting the need for fresh grease to restore smooth operation.

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