If you are like most people you probably take your power windows for granted because they are so much more convenient than the crank style that was used in primarily every vehicle. The problem, however, is that when your power windows stop working, you probably do not know what to do. First of all, you are afraid to try and fix them yourself because they are electric, and you are afraid to mess something up. Well, this is a safe way of thinking on your behalf, but you really cannot do as much harm as you think as long as you follow a few guidelines. You will actually be able to perform your own power window repair if you know what you are doing.
Car Power Window Repair
Before you are going to perform any type of car power window repair, it is important for you to understand exactly what the problem is. Car windows have several moving parts and gaskets, but they also connect to the electrical system, so there can be a lot of problems that you will have to decipher from. For this reason, you will want to avoid beginning to immediately remove the door panel and digging around for the problem because the problem may be a much simpler fix.
The first thing you need to ask yourself is whether it is just window that is not working or if it is all of them. If none of the windows are working, you should immediately check your fuse box, which will be located under your hood and clearly labeled. If you do not know which box is your fuse box, you should ask someone to assist you who knows a fair amount about cars because opening the wrong thing could result in injury, especially if the engine is hot. If just one window is failing to work, you will need to have access to the switch’s wiring. If the switch is in the door, you will need to remove the door panel, which will simply snap off on most vehicles. You should use a voltmeter to test the switch at the end of the wiring, and if it does not read 12 volts, you have a bad switch and will need to replace it.
Power Window Repair Cost
This may sound contradicting at first, but if you are really lucky, none of your power windows will be working, and you will discover that it is a blown fuse. Now, this sounds pretty miserable not having a way to roll down any windows, but the good news is that fuses are extremely cheap. If only one window does not work, you will need to replace some things. The switches and regulators can cost between $80 and $100.