Power Window Repair and Regulator Replacement for Your Car
Updated: Apr. 05, 2024
A broken power window can be an expensive repair, but if you have basic auto repair tools and access to a service manual, you can fix it yourself!
Time A half day
ComplexityBeginner
CostAround $100
Introduction
Can you repair a malfunctioning power window yourself? Absolutely! With just a basic set of tools, any DIYer can do this. Different vehicle makes and models are going to present various challenges in accessing the window regulator — often armrests, switch clusters, the door panel and a plastic vapor barrier all must be removed. I've found that getting in the door is often the most complicated part of the whole job! But once you get there, a window regulator is a simple mechanism held in by three or four bolts with just a single electrical connection.
A window regulator can fail for many reasons — a bad motor, a broken cable guide, stripped gears, a bad switch or faulty wiring. But with a little detective work, you can determine the probable root cause of failure and avoid unnecessary work, saving yourself both time and money.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair Power Windows in a Car?
Having your dealership or local mechanic replace the window regulator will cost plenty. You'll be charged twice what you'd pay for the regulator itself compared to buying it through your local auto parts store. Plus, at an average of $160 to $200 an hour, that labor bill can add up quick!
Should You Hire a Pro to Fix the Power Window in Your Car?
Most of the time, a window regulator is an easy fix that I believe most DIYers can handle. But if it seems like there's just too much to disassemble or too many specialized tools required, it's time to talk to a professional.
About the Expert
Jay Cork, a mechanic and former manager of an O'Reilly's Auto Parts store.
Tools Required
- 4-in-1 screwdriver
- Cordless drill
- Door panel removal tool (or small pry bar)
- Multimeter
- Socket/ratchet set
Materials Required
- Power window regulator
Project step-by-step (8)
Check the Basics
- First things first: check the fuse.
- If the window is hard to push up or down manually, this may indicate an electrical problem — a bad switch, a loose connection or a broken wire.
- A common indication of a possible mechanical problem is if the window is easy to move up and down but doesn’t want to stay up. This is likely caused by a broken cable or broken gear in the regulator, the device that lifts and lowers the glass.
Remove the switch cluster
- Pry out the switch cluster using a trim panel removal tool. A trim panel removal tool is inexpensive and saves you a lot of time, but a small pry bar or flathead screwdriver will do if you don’t have that specific tool.
- Disconnect the electrical connectors.
Remove the door panel
- Some door panels are held in place with plastic retainer clips while others have channels along the top and bottom of the panel that hook onto the door frame.
- Use a trim panel removal tool to pry the door panel off its mounting points gently.
- Remove the vapor barrier from the door frame.
Test the motor connector
- Disconnect the power lead running to the regulator motor housing.
- Reconnect the switch panel and attach your multimeter test leads to the motor connector.
- Turn the key to the “on” position and toggle the window switch up and down. If the switch is good, the voltage reading will change from plus-12 volts to minus-12 volts. That means the problem is the motor/regulator.
- If your meter doesn’t display those readings, you’ve got a bad switch or a broken power or ground wire. Download an electrical diagram and check the power and ground wires leading to the switch to isolate the problem.
Remove the window
- Remove the bolts or rivets that hold the mounting tabs to the regulator frame.
- If rivets hold yours in place, drill these out with an appropriately sized drill bit and replace them with a bolt.
- Tilt the window up and out and set it in a safe place.
Replace the regulator
- Remove the fasteners that hold the regulator to the door frame and snake the regulator out through one of the openings in the frame.
- Reverse the procedure to install the new regulator and bolt it in place.
- Reconnect the electrical connectors to the motor housing and switch cluster.
- Test the regulator for proper operation.
Re-install the window
- Set the window mounting tabs in the regulator cradle.
- Install the nuts and bolts that hold the window in the cradle mounts. Don’t over-tighten.
- Pro Tip: Test the function of the window before re-installing everything. If the glass binds, you may have to loosen the bolts and make minor adjustments to the regulator.
- Once you are confident everything is functioning properly, tighten all the bolts and replace the vapor barrier, trim panel, and switch cluster.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a window regulator?
The term “window regulator” refers to the complete mechanism — the frame, cables, and gear motor — that mounts inside the door frame of your vehicle and guides the window up and down.
What causes a power window to stop working?
I’ve seen power windows fail in many ways, but most commonly the old, plastic parts in the regulator just give up. This could be a pulley or even the gears inside the motor housing.
Can you manually raise and lower a power window?
Yes, but let’s not make a habit out of it! If your power window has stopped working and it takes some effort to move it up (or down), your problem may be electrical, not mechanical. Forcing the window up and down may actually cause mechanical damage to the regulator.
How do you know if the window regulator is bad?
If your power window doesn’t seem to want to stay up, or you hear clicking or grinding sounds when you flip the switch, your regulator — not your wiring — is bad.
How much does a window regulator cost?
Of the many regulators I have changed myself, none have cost more than $100, often much less. The cost may vary based on your vehicle’s make and model.
Originally Published: December 12, 2018
