Power windows have basically become a necessity and a need more than a want. It is not just a luxury feature anymore and almost all the models on sale have at least the driver and passenger side with power windows right from the base model. This article will provide you with information regarding the signs of a failing power window.
How does a Power Window work?
The above image shown is the most basic setup of a power window. When the switch is pressed, the window motor turns the gear drive, which changes the position of the geared arm. This change in position is what lifts or drops the glass-holding bracket which holds the glass window. We would like to inform you all that, not all the power windows follow the same mechanism.
You can check the power window motor that is suitable to your manufacturer\model in the list of spares in GoMechanic here
Listed below are the 5 most common signs of a failing power window :
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Too many attempts to roll the window up or down
Too many attempts pressing the window buttons Under normal conditions, when you press the button once, the window is supposed to roll up or down. A few vehicles have the one-touch up\down function that will automatically activate the window motor assembly with just a single touch. However, if the window motor starts working only after many attempts of pressing the switch, it’s an indication that there is a problem. Now, this might be an issue with the button\switch itself, so before you conclude that it’s a faulty window motor that needs to be replaced, it is better to get it checked by an expert. Sometimes it might even be dirt that is accumulated under the switch that causes the problem.
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Speed of window is slower or faster than normal
Slower or faster power windows When you notice that the window is rolling up slower or faster than normal, it might be a problem with the window motor itself. The modern-day Power windows are tuned for a particular speed, and that’s not just for comfort but to make sure there is no harm to the window when it’s rolled up or down. Usually when the motor starts to fail, or when there is an electrical problem, it can cause the window to roll up slower or faster than it should. Or, it might be a fuse that is shorted and not able to supply the required amount of power to the window motor. In any case, it would be better to get it checked with an expert.
Get your car serviced at GoMechanic
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Different\unusual sounds when the window rolls up or down
One of the most common symptoms of a failing window motor is when you hear weird clicking sounds when the power windows are being used. Sometimes, it might be dust getting settled between the window and the motor assembly. This causes the window motor to work harder than it is supposed to, which causes more stress on the motor and along with it some sounds as well. One more disadvantage of this is sometimes when the dust particles get jammed in between and the windows are still being rolled up and down, it causes scratches on the glass and continued use this way, may result in not just a scratched window but also a broken motor.
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No response when the switch is pressed
Power window switch not responding If there is no response from the window motor at all, then the first thing that needs to be checked are the fuses. If there are no issues with the fuse, then you can go ahead and check the motor itself. Sometimes the voltage at the motor might not be accurate or maybe the motor in itself has issues as the motors are known to be faulty. In some cases, the issue might be with the wiring as well, and for buying a new set you can visit the GoMechanic spares for the power window wiring here.
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The window gets jammed halfway up or down
Stuck Car Window When this happens, it is clear that the switch and the motor work as it worked until halfway, then the problem might be with the regulator or the geared arm that lifts or drops the glass. Even then, we will have to remove the door cover and see if the gear is damaged or if the glass is still connected to the glass-holding bracket. But this is better left to the experts and they will have the equipment to fix them as well.
