Fixing a Stuck Electric Car Window the Easy Way

Electricity is so embedded into our lives nowadays that it almost controls every single device we use. The same can be said when rolling down your windows. Unless your vehicle is over a decade old and still needs the manual use of handles, the windows will be powered by electricity. Power windows work by having the battery in your vehicle send them enough power for you to either raise or roll down the window.

Power windows have various auto window parts that work together to make the window go up or down at the press or push of a button. There is the power window motor that is attached to a worm gear, there are also supporting bars and an arm on each one. But since this is an electrically powered window we’re talking about it can get stuck more easily than its predecessor.

How to Fix Stuck Electric Car Window

Rolling Up the Window

1. To fix a stuck power window without any tools you need to start first by the accessory position. You can check whether the key is in this position by trying to use other widows and the radio. Then, press and hold the only car window part you can use in this case and that is the window switch.
2. Hold the window switch in the closer or up position. Make sure to keep the button pressed and that you are pushing the side that is closest to the window. While the window button is depressed open and slam the door. If nothing happens the first time around try doing the same thing one more time.
3. In case the window still isn’t able to move, close the door and look for an area on the door where the panel is in contact with the sheet metal found inside the door. Now, with the switch depressed hit that area with either your fist or a blunt object. Try not to damage the door. If the window does roll up just leave it there until the issue is fixed. In case it doesn’t you’ll need to dry another method.

When It’s Out if Its Track

1. If none of the above worked, then the window is out of track due to a bad car window part. Once again, turn the ignition key to the accessory position and then open the door. Put your palms on both sides of the window so that you have it sandwiched between them.
2. Have someone help you push the window switch and then apply some pressure to the window. Attempt to lift the window so that you’re able to help the car window parts to start moving the window once again.
3. You may want to grip the window from the top too to pull it up with more force. When doing this make sure you’re ready to move your hands out of the way when the window starts moving.
4. If you have the window down and you hear some grinding noises or see the glass rocking back and forth when pulling it up you won’t be able to close it without removing the door panel. If you can remove the door panel you may be able to raise the window from the inside while pushing the switch.

How to Check What Caused Your Electric Car Window to Fail

Fuses

The first place to check for any failure is the fuses. Find out which fuses allow the power window to operate and see if they are blown out. Replace any blown fuses and try using the power windows once again. In case the fuse blows again then look for a short circuit.

Dash Gauges

Another way to determine what caused the power window to stop working is to watch the dashboard gauges when you push the window switch. If the volt gauge moves even slightly then there is probably a bad motor that’s causing the power window to act up.

Check Power

Checking if there is power being sent to the switch can help you either eliminate or find the cause for a malfunctioning power window with the wiring of the motor. If the switch has both ground and power, then you should suspect either the motor or wiring. You should also check the power of the motor. Again if the motor has power and ground and the window isn’t able to go up or down then the motor is where the issue is at.

Lock-Out Switch

Check if the safety lock-out switch is activated. If it is, then the windows won’t roll up or down that is if your vehicle has this switch in the first place. You can accidentally turn these switches to the on position without even realising you’ve done so.

Pushing Switches

The most convenient way to check what’s causing a power window to act up is to push the switches up and down. While doing that, listen carefully to the sounds the auto window parts are making from inside the door. If loud sounds are coming from it, then there is something that’s gone bad with the mechanism.