6 Common Issues With Power Windows

Experiencing an issue with your power window? Gone are the days when you had to manually roll down the window because power windows are here to stay. Virtually every car you see out on the road has power windows. While they have made it easier to crack a window down for some fresh air or to order at the drive-through, when it doesn’t want to open, you can’t just crank it harder when it just stops working. It could be anything from a problem with the electric motor to the wiring.

It’s always best to see a mechanic to sort out the issue as you do not want to cause bigger problems, there are many potential causes. So, if your power windows have all of a sudden refused to go down, here are five of the most common issues you could experience with your power windows. 

1. Freezing temperatures

In some places, when the weather turns cold, and the snow starts falling, it’s not exactly ideal conditions for your car in general, but one issue that can occur is your power windows might start giving issues. What happens is the window will start to stick to the frame in the extreme cold, and the window regulator isn’t always effective in making the windows open and close when they’re stuck. Even if the regulator does manage to get it unstuck, you don’t want to keep doing this as it can wear it out faster. 

2. The power switch 

The most common issue with your power window is an issue with the switches themselves. Regular use can cause your power window switch to stop working properly, but an aggressive touch will cause it to malfunction much faster. While it is the most common issue, at least it’s good to know that this is a relatively inexpensive fix as you’ll need to replace the power window switches. 

3. Window regulator

Another common issue you may experience with your power windows is the window regulator may break. The window regulator is reliable for making the windows actually move up and down. Should your mechanic confirm that the window regulator is broken, it will need to be replaced. Another reason why your window regulator is acting up is that it could be due to a blown fuse. 

Some signs that it could be your window regulator causing problems are: 

• The window refuses to go up or down when the switches are pressed
• The window drops to one side
• The window closes slowly or will not close completely
• When operating the window, it makes a strange or loud sound

4. Wiring

When your power window refuses to go up or down, one of the main culprits could be the wiring. Wires are sensitive, which means that even just working on another component of the power window could potentially damage the wiring – this is also why it’s important to get a good mechanic to work on your car to avoid causing wiring problems. 

5. Window motor

The window motor is responsible for supplying electrical energy to the window regulator. With this energy, the window regulator moves the window up and down. When the window motor is faulty, it won’t be able to provide electrical energy to the regulator, and the  window won’t move. This could be caused by a blown fuse, which can easily be located and replaced. 

6. Blown fuse

One symptom that a blown fuse is an issue is if all of your power windows stop working. Should this ever happen, you’ll need to locate your car’s fuse box. Most cars will have a diagram on the fuse box, which will help you locate where the issue is. It’s always a good idea to keep a few fuses stored because they’re quite inexpensive, and you never know when you might have an electrical issue that could be fixed by replacing a fuse. Before you replace a fuse, check it with a voltmeter – it should be between 12 and 14 volts, if not, it should be replaced. 

How can you extend the life of your power windows?

Prevention is always better than cure, so here are some things you can implement to try and extend the life of your power windows: 

• Keep the window glass as clean as possible – dirt particles that get on the windows can be transferred to the mechanism and cause a jam or rust 
• Avoid overusing the buttons – using the power windows excessively or holding the switches in for longer than necessary will cause them to wear out faster 
• Make sure to use the windows – as much as overusing the windows can cause issues, neglecting to use them can also cause trouble with the mechanical system and may get stuck
• Check on the condition of the rubber – maintaining the rubber of your windows is equally as important as maintaining the glass. When you notice that the rubber has started to harden, then you’ll need to replace it, or else it could cause issues with the power windows or even scratch the car

Final Thoughts

When diagnosing issues with your power windows, we always advise that you seek help from a mechanic who has extensive knowledge and experience. This way, they will know exactly how to fix the issue without messing around with your car’s electronics. Once you have the diagnosis, should you need to replace parts, you can order them yourself online to try and get the best price.