A power window that won’t move leaves your car open to rain, snow, and wind, and it makes your car easier to get into. This guide explains how power windows work, what usually goes wrong, what you can check yourself, and when to call a professional.
How Power Windows Work
A power window system has four main parts:
- Window motor: provides the power to move the window.
- Window regulator: the cable and track assembly that lifts and lowers the glass.
- Switch: controls the motor when you press it.
- Wiring and fuse: carry electricity to the motor.
When you press the switch, it sends a signal to the motor. The motor drives the regulator, and the regulator moves the glass up or down. If any one of these parts fails, the window stops working.
Why Your Power Window Stopped Working
Window Won’t Move
The cause could be the motor, the regulator, the switch, a fuse, or the wiring. These signs help you narrow it down:
- Regulator problem: you hear the motor run, but the glass doesn’t move.
- Motor problem: you hear nothing at all when you press the switch.
- Switch problem: the window works only some of the time, or the other windows work fine.
Window Moves Slowly
A weak motor or a dirty, binding track usually causes a slow window.
Window Makes Noise or Drops Into the Door
Grinding or popping sounds point to a regulator problem. If the glass looks crooked, tilts, or drops into the door, the regulator, its clips, or its cable has most likely failed. We explain the difference in our guide to window regulators vs. motors.
Quick Checks Before You Call
- Try more than one switch. Press the window’s own switch and the driver’s master switch. If one works and the other doesn’t, the switch may be the problem.
- Listen for the motor. A running motor with no glass movement points to the regulator. Silence points to the motor or the electrical side.
- Check the fuse. Look up the fuse location in your owner’s manual.
- Wipe dirt out of the tracks.
- Don’t force the window. Forcing a stuck window can break the motor or regulator.
If your window is stuck open, park somewhere sheltered and take your valuables with you until you fix it.
When to Call a Professional
Call a professional when the quick checks don’t solve the problem. A technician removes the door panel to reach the motor, regulator, and wiring, so the repair needs the right tools and experience.
What to Expect From Our Power Window Repair
- We diagnose first. The diagnostic fee is $75. If you need a part, you pay for the part and we don’t charge labor again for installing it.
- We come to you. Mobile service is free anywhere in the Metro Detroit area.
- We work quickly. Most repairs take about an hour, and we can often schedule you the same day.
- We back our work. You get a 30-day warranty on the part and a lifetime warranty on our workmanship.
The cost of repairing a power window varies by your vehicle and the parts you need. At Save On Auto Glass, the average cost is between $150-$450. We’ll give you a price quote before we start.
See our power window repair service, our warranty page, or get a quote.
Tips to Avoid Power Window Problems
- Avoid slamming your car doors, because strong impacts strain the regulator and motor.
- Wipe dirt and salt out of your tracks from time to time.
- Listen for grinding or squeaking, and fix strange noises early.
- Never force a window that won’t move.
Experience and Certifications
Save On Auto Glass has served Metro Detroit drivers since 1998, and our CEO, Ray, has more than 30 years of experience in auto glass. We are a BBB-accredited business, and we are registered with the Michigan Department of State as a motor vehicle repair facility. Our team holds ASE and NWRD certifications and includes AGSC Qualified Technicians.
Call us at 586-991-5339 (Sterling Heights), 248-383-8362 (Auburn Hills), or 810-287-3239 (Fenton).
