Up and down. Up and down. Opening and closing windows is now as easy as pushing down or lifting up a button. Think about the “olden days” when you had to hand crank the window to get it to move at all! So much work just to get a whiff of fresh air. The power windows in our vehicles are great conveniences, but sometimes there are malfunctions that cause the motor to stop working. If you find yourself replacing a power window motor, these tips can help.
Diagnosing the Problem
The first step to replacing a power window motor is to diagnose the problem.
1. Make sure the rest of the car is in working condition. Put the key in the ignition and check that your batteries are charged and power is running throughout the car.
2. Check all the fuses and circuit breakers that could connect to the windows to make sure that you haven’t blown a fuse and that you don’t have an open circuit. Do this by removing the interior door panel.
3. If the fuses and circuits check out, verify that the power window motor is actually defective by checking the voltage. Connect the plus probe to one of the motor wires and the negative probe to the other. If the readout is at or above 12 volts then something is definitely wrong.
Replacing Power Window Motor
1. You’ll need to buy a new motor for your window.
2. Remove the defective motor. Secure the window glass with masking tape or a stick before removing the motor. Undo all the rivets and screws holding the motor to the door panel. The regulator arms should pop out of the bottom and you can take out the whole assembly. Be careful, because the arms will try to rotate in opposite directions and could hurt you.
3. Insert the new motor and reattach it in exactly the same way you removed the old motor.
Additional Help
If you have more questions about replacing your power window motor you should talk to a professional. The easiest, fastest way to get in contact with reliable local auto service companies is to use TalkLocal. Just put in your problem and availability and let them do all the work. Within minutes you will be connected to someone who will be able to help you out.
