WINDOW REGULATOR REPAIR-SYMPTOMS AND SOLUTIONS -

When you press the button and the window doesn’t work you’re probably in for a window regulator repair.

This shouldn’t be much of a surprise since the window is raised and lowered thousands of times during the life of the car.

So, if you encounter this problem, this article should shed some light on the whole subject and perhaps help the window regulator repair, also known as the power window.

Besides this, you have a video at the end of this article on the same topic which you can also watch on our YouTube channel.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE A WINDOW REGULATOR PROBLEM?

We’ll be showing this example on a Skoda Fabia mk1 but the basic principle applies to almost all cars out there as the layout and the way the system works is basically the same.

You essentially have the window regulator mechanism, a switch, a relay, the wiring in between, and a fuse.

If you’re interested in more information on how the window regulator works, click here to read a great article from Wikipedia.

Back to the diagnostics:

The starting point for diagnosing a window regulator problem is to simply listen and look, no tools are needed in the beginning.

If the window goes down slowly, slides down unevenly, starts but then stops moving, will not raise, and especially if you hear a grinding or cracking noise, look no further.

It’s 99.9 percent the window regulator mechanism (the cables, spools, stuck guides, or else).

But if you press the switch and there’s no reaction whatsoever, nothing happens at all, then check the fuse first, then the switch, perhaps the relay, and then the wiring.

So, there are essentially two main things to inspect: the mechanism itself and the power input to it.

To make a quick and simple diagnostic of the power input and electric problems you can use a 12-volt tester. If you want to see how to use a tester, click here to read an article specifically on that topic.

HOW TO FIX A WINDOW REGULATOR PROBLEM?

1. BROKEN OR DAMAGED WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM

Symptoms:

You hear the window mechanism working but the window doesn’t move as usual.

The window at first starts moving slower, later it may occasionally stop and then start to move again, all in all, the window doesn’t work smoothly as usual.

In the final phase, you may hear a grinding and clicking noise while the window is lowering or raising.

In the end, it will stop working completely. Also, if the window is lowered, it will stay stuck which is a major inconvenience.

Solution:

The best and perhaps the only solution is a complete replacement of the whole mechanism.

Know that the repair involves taking off the door trim and other various parts of the door making this repair timely and somewhat complicated.

Consider this especially if you’re not doing the repair yourself but at a repair shop or dealership.

Also, know that any kind of repair or improvisation on the faulty mechanism may be possible but due to the pretty brittle nature of the whole mechanism, it’s usually short-lived.

One more thing: know that, in most cases, the electric motor driving the mechanism is meant to be re-used, no need to buy a new one.

Regarding buying the new mechanism:

For some cars, you can buy the repair kit, just with the cables, spools, and else which is usually the cheapest option.

On some, you have to buy the complete mechanism, with the metal channels or guides, and on some cars like Skoda, you can buy the complete mechanism with the cover plate.

2. BURNT OUT FUSE

Symptoms:

When you press the power window button, there is no reaction whatsoever (just silence).

Solution:

Open the fuse panel on your car and locate the fuse for the power windows. You can use a tester or multimeter to check the fuse or you can check it visually.

If it’s burnt out replace it with one that has the same amperage.

But if it soon burns out again or even worse burns out immediately, you should check other things like the electrical motor for the regulator, is the mechanism stuck somewhere, is there a pinched wire, or else.

If you want to see more information about fuses, and how to replace them, click here to read an article written specifically on that topic.

3. DAMAGED SWITCH OR RELAY

Symptoms:

When you press the switch nothing happens at all or the window works intermittently (sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t).

Regarding the relay: the window might not work at all or you may just hear a distinctive clicking sound when pressing the window switch and the window doesn’t work at all.

Solution:

Replacement of the switch or relay.

On this part, it’s important to make a quality diagnostic first to be sure that the switch or relay is the actual problem.

Again, use a tester or multimeter to check the power input/output to and from them.

Also, check the connectors and connections if everything is in place and clean.

Switches are a more common cause of problems since they’re used all the time, and relays more rarely cause problems.

The replacement itself is fairly simple, just buy the part and plug it into place.

4. WIRING PROBLEMS

Symptoms:

The window regulator works intermittently and sometimes stops completely working. Also, it may start working when you move or close the door.

Solution:

By far the first place you should check and the number one cause of problems is the wiring inside the rubber sleeve between the door and door sil.

Due to constantly opening the door and because over time the wires may get brittle, they can break and lose connection. Hence the intermittent functioning.

Also, like with the Skoda there may be connectors that can get filthy or rusty due to moisture.

In this case of a window regulator repair, the fix is pretty simple. If the wires are broken just reconnect them and if it’s the connectors, disconnect and clean them.

Usually, the bigger problem is actually finding the broken wire as well as accessibility issues.

5. FAULTY WEATHER STRIPS

Symptoms:

The window goes down and up very slowly, accompanied by a loud squealing noise. Also, you may notice skid marks on the window.

Solution:

Lubricating or replacing the weather strips.

Over time they may get dry and lose flexibility. This may cause excessive friction against the glass, hence the slower motion and the squealing noise.

First, try and lubricate the weather strips. Best use some kind of silicone spray, this will soften and revive the material to some extent.

But if they are severely damaged (cracked, peeling, or else) best replace them if possible.