How to Repair Electric Car Windows

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If you have electric (power) windows in your car, you may experience times when you push the button and the window doesn't move. There are some basic reasons why this might happen. Power windows have mechanical systems that are similar to those used in non-power car windows but require a power source to move them instead of hand-cranking. The problem could be as simple as a blown fuse. Check your owner's manual for the instructions on what to look for. Once you have diagnosed what the problem is by troubleshooting, you may be able to repair it with some basic tools.

Steps

1. 1
   Determine where the problem is by troubleshooting, such as determining whether it is only 1 window or all of them.

   
   
2. 2
   Use your owner's manual to locate and open the fuse box.
3. 3
   Check your owner's manual to locate the correct fuse to replace.
4. 4
   Pull the fuse straight out of its cradle being careful to not twist or otherwise force it. There are fuse tongs available at part supply stores that can help with this.
5. 5
   Find a new fuse with the correct voltage for the window mechanism.
6. 6
   Insert the new fuse carefully into the fuse cradle by pushing straight in until the fuse is "set" or does not wobble.
7. 7
   Close the fuse box.
8. 8
   Turn your car key to the "on" position (you need not start your car) and test the windows.

Gaskets

1. 1
   Check the window's seals and gaskets; these create a tight seal when the window is raised and prevent leaks from rain. They also help smother noise from the outside.
2. 2
   Repair any small tears using a rubber adhesive or glue and trim any loose corners with a razor blade.
3. 3
   Check the entire gasket channel for foreign objects that might make the window stick.
4. 4
   Clean the gasket with lacquer thinner.
5. 5
   Lubricate the channel with silicone spray.
6. 6
   Replace the entire gasket if necessary.
7. 7
   Retest the window.

Electrical Problems

1. 1
   Find an electrical schematic of your vehicle either from information in your owner's manual or from the Internet.
2. 2
   Begin at the fuse panel, trace the wiring from there to the switch and test for 12 volts along the route.
3. 3
   Continue to trace the wiring to the motor from the switch and test for 12 volts along the route.
4. 4
   Look for interrupted voltage caused by a loose connector or corrosion along the way, which will tell you where the electrical problem is located.
5. 5
   Fix the connector or corroded areas and test the window again.

Faulty Switch

1. 1
   Locate the window switch panel.
2. 2
   Open the window switch panel according to the directions provided in your owner's manual.
3. 3
   Use your volt meter to probe each connector to test for voltage on each.
4. 4
   Check the wiring on any switch that has a low voltage reading and tighten any loose connections.
5. 5
   Replace the switch (if the wiring is fine) with another from a different door to test whether the switch is faulty and test the window again.

Window Motor

1. 1
   Access the window motor by removing the door panel (you may need to remove the door pull and handles, panel and weather sheeting, so follow the directions given in your manual).
2. 2
   Test the motor by running a jumper cable connection from the positive battery terminal to the motor's positive side or back probe the motor's plug with your volt meter and toggle the switch back and forth at the same time. The probes should light up alternately.
3. 3
   Ensure that the window moves freely during this test and that there are no slow spots or blockages.
4. 4
   Remove and replace the bad motor if necessary.

   
   

Warnings

• If you must replace the window motor, proceed with extreme caution. Your fingers can fit easily inside the door panel and window motor assembly. The window motor has a lot of torque and can remove a finger if it is activated and your fingers are in the gears. To safely remove a window motor, the linkage arms should be secured in a vice before the springs and motor are removed.

Things You'll Need

• Volt meter
• Contact cement
• Silicone spray
• Lacquer thinner
• Razor blade or utility knife
• Screw drivers and socket wrenches
• Assorted fuses of different voltages
• Fuse puller
• Paper towels and shop rags
• New rubber gasket (if needed)
• New toggle switch (if needed)
• New window motor (if needed)

• Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Repair Electric Car Windows. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.