5 Reasons Your Power Windows Aren't Working: Archer Volkswagen Maintenance Tips
When one or more of your car's power windows stop working, it can be frustrating -- especially if you find yourself at the drive-thru bank, pharmacy or fast food place. Actually getting out of your car at those places is strictly for squares, so let us fix your power windows at Archer Volkswagen! Our talented team and our sophisticated facility makes Archer VW the best place to go in Houston for car window repair.
5. Blown Fuse
Whenever an electrical component on your car stops working, including the power windows, a good place to begin diagnosing the problem is the fuse box. Your power windows are protected from electrical surges by a fuse. When the fuse blows, it interrupts the circuit, shielding downstream components from the surge -- but it means those components will stop working. If your power windows suddenly stop working, getting them working again might be as simple as replacing a blown fuse.
4. Bad Window Switch
If electrical power is getting to the power window mechanism, but the switch in the door has gone bad, your windows won't go up or down. The switch is supposed to send a signal to the window regulator motor to roll the window up or down.
One way to test a window switch on the rear windows or the passenger side window is to test both the switch in the door as well as the master switch located in the driver's door. If, for example, the passenger cannot roll the window down using the switch in the passenger door, but the driver's door can operate the window like normal, the passenger door window switch might need replacing.
3. Sticking Window Glass
Over time, dust, dirt and debris can collect inside the track that the window glass rides on. Enough of this debris could build up and prevent the window from sliding smoothly on the tracks. If it gets stuck, the power window buttons might stop working for that window.
Often fixing this problem is as easy as lubricating the window tracks and the edges of the window glass. A little lubricant can get your windows sliding smoothly up and down once again.
2. Failed Window Regulator
If the window glass is still sliding smoothly, and there's no electrical issues to be found, you may have a mechanical problem on your hands. Behind the door panel and inside the door, a small motor extends and retracts a metal arm that's attached to the window glass. This component, called the power window regulator, can go bad over time -- the motor can burn out, the arm can become disconnected from the window glass or damage to the arm can simply prevent it from moving.
When you operate the window switch for the window that's not working, listen closely. Do you hear a whirring sound coming from inside the door? That sound is likely the window regulator motor attempting to move the glass. That sound tells us that the motor is working and electrical power is getting to the motor. Or, if you don't hear any noise when you operate the window switch, that points to a regulator motor that's given up the ghost. You'll just need a technician to remove the old one and replace it.
1. Window Lock Engaged
Did you know that you can lock the power windows on virtually any modern car? Just like child locks for car doors, the power window lock prevents rambunctious passengers from playing with your power windows -- and if you turn the window lock on without realizing it, you might think that your windows aren't working! Find the toggle for your car's window lock and make sure it's not engaged. Believe it or not, it's not unheard of for drivers to forget about this setting, or toggle it accidently, like by bumping it with their knee. It can make it seem like your power windows aren't working even when, in reality, you just need to deactivate the lock.