As he drives down the turnpike and approaches the toll booth, he hits the switch to lower the window and nothing happens. The switch moves but the window does not adjust. There is not even a noise from the window motor, which suggests that the device is not working. He must stop his car and open the door to pay the attendant before continuing on his journey. Thoughts of an expensive auto repair bill dance in his head, putting him in a bad mood and dampening the anticipated fun of their weekend getaway. He does not despair: you can repair the power window yourself and save a lot of money on expensive dealer charges. Let’s take a look at the steps you can take to fix the problem yourself and save a lot of money in the process.
Before assuming that the window regulator should be replaced, you must first rule out the possibility of dirty electrical contacts. On most cars, the main power for all switches goes through the main switch located on the driver’s console. Sometimes the switch is dirty and the window does not work properly. If this is the case, take the necessary steps to clean the contact and your problem should be resolved.
If you determine that the contacts are clean and your switch works, then the motor has likely burned out and needs to be replaced. Whether you’re installing a honda window regulator gold has volkswagen window regulatoror a regulator for any other brand, the steps to replace a window regulator are usually quite similar:
1. Remove the door panel from the affected window.
2. Locate and remove the bolts that hold the regulator to the door; you may have to manually lower the window to access the latches.
3. Remove the old regulator, disconnect all wiring and replace the old regulator with a new one purchased from a parts supplier. Shop online to find the best value, since you’ll pay a pretty penny if you order one through a dealer.
4. Tighten the bolts that hold the new regulator in place and reinstall the moisture barrier. Be sure to reattach all cables to the door before closing the door panel.
5. Activate the power window switch and the new regulator should work without hindrance.
Of course, follow your car’s repair manual for specific instructions.
I’ve given you a general outline to convince you that this is a task even a novice mechanic can handle, in other words: you can do it! By handling the problem yourself, you’ll save a lot of money by avoiding shops that will mark up the replacement part and add several hours of labor costs to your bill. Shop online to compare prices and receive the best available shipping and handling arrangements.
