4 Power Window Problems and Solutions

Over the past several decades, power windows in vehicles have gone from a high-end luxury option to an expected basic feature. Unfortunately, the near-universal adoption of power windows has opened the door to a variety of additional problems that can cause your windows to operate imperfectly or simply stop working altogether.

Whether you need to figure out a current power window problem affecting your car or you simply want to know what to watch out for in the future, you can benefit from some basic troubleshooting knowledge about these components. Have a look at the following four power window problems and their possible solutions.

1. Abnormal Power Window Motion

Even if all your windows manage to go up and down, one or more of them can exhibit some odd changes in their behavior. For instance, you may need to press the switch several times before it actually responds. You might simply need to replace a worn-out switch, or the damage may lie in the motor or wiring connections.

If you have a power window that moves unusually slowly, dirt or other debris may have accumulated within the channels that guide the window's motion, creating unwanted resistance. If lubrication with silicon spray doesn't solve the problem, you may need to replace a worn motor, binding cable, or window tape.

Sometimes a power window will fail to maintain its position or appear crooked. These symptoms indicate that some part of the mechanism has broken. In this case, you may need a new sash bolt, sash clip, or window regulator unit.

2. Strange Power Window Noises

Noisy power windows may suffer from nothing more than dirt or debris nestled in the window channels. In addition to the sluggish motion that this problem can cause, you may hear grinding or squealing noises as the glass passes through the debris.

A worn motor or regulator can also get increasingly noisy over time. As these parts lose their efficiency, they must work harder and harder to operate the window. As a result, you may hear whining or other unusual noises every time to try to raise or lower the window. Replacement of these aging parts should solve the problem.

Power windows can make noise even after they've completely stopped working. If your attempt to operate your window produces noise but no motion, you probably have a jammed, rusty, or broken window linkage mechanism. This mechanism, located inside the door, may prove especially vulnerable to breakage in cold weather.

3. Failure of One Power Window

As frustrating as a power window failure may seem, issues affecting a single door's window at least allow your automotive technician to focus troubleshooting efforts on the door in question. A simple voltage check can determine whether you have a bad switch, a bad motor, or a wiring problem.

Wiring problems affecting power doors often occur due to wear and tear in the bundle of wires leading from the door jamb to the door. (You can see this bundle when you swing the door open.) Your mechanic can examine the wiring harness to trace the problem to its failure point and then fix the damaged wire or connection.

4. Failure of All Power Windows

If all your power windows fail at the same time, you almost certainly have an electrical system issue. With luck, you can solve this problem simply by having the corresponding fuse replaced. If the replacement fuse blows immediately, however, your automotive team may need to fix a short circuit or failing power window module.

Kell Radiator Service can take that troublesome power window issue off of your hands. Our automotive experts can troubleshoot the symptoms, discover the underlying problem, and perform the necessary repairs to get all your windows working perfectly. Contact us today for a free estimate.