Diagnosing & Knowing When to Replace Your Window Regulator
Located behind the door panels, window regulators help to raise and lower the windows in your vehicle. Few parts are used more regularly, and when they aren’t doing their job, few things are more irritating. If your windows aren’t raising and lowering properly, there’s a good chance the window regulator requires some attention. Here are a few things you can do to diagnose and know when to replace your window regulator.
Are All the Windows Working?
Many vehicles have a lockout switch that allows the driver to cut power to the other window switches so none of the passengers can operate the windows. To avoid an embarrassing trip home from the mechanic, make sure that you did not accidentally turn on the lockout switch.
If all of the windows quit working at once, this is likely a power issue. Make sure the fuse, circuit breaker, or relays for the windows are functioning properly. Because most cars use the same circuit for all of the power windows, if only one window is faulty, it’s likely that the fuse or relays are not the issue.
Only One Window Isn’t Working
If all but one window is operational, you can likely narrow down the fail point to the power window motor, door switch, or window regulator.
Listen carefully when attempting to raise or lower the window. If you don’t hear any motor noise, either the window motor is likely to blame, or power is not reaching it. This could be an issue with the switch or wiring.
You can also try operating the window from both the switch on the door of the faulty window and the driver’s master switch. If one works while the other doesn’t, this means the motor and wiring are fine, and the switch is the issue.
If the motor runs continuously and a grinding or whirring sound occurs, this usually indicates a problem with the window regulator. For example, the gear may have broken away from the regulator.
Other Indications of a Faulty Window Regulator:
- The window is jammed or falls freely
- Unusual sound when the window is moving
- Window rises slowly
- Window doesn’t close fully
- Window slides crookedly
Infinite Auto Glass Can Quickly Diagnose and Replace a Broken Window Regulator
Problems with window regulators are very common, and the trained and certified technicians at Infinite Auto Glass can easily replace yours if you are experiencing issues. Give us a call today so we can diagnose your problem and give you an instant quote. We also work with all insurances.
