Power windows are a very convenient feature in modern cars and trucks. With the push of a button you can raise or lower your window (or another window in the vehicle) rather than having to crank the window up or down by hand. But when a power window stops working, it can create a huge headache for the driver or passengers. There are several steps you can take to figure out why your power window stopped working, and possibly fix it yourself rather than take the vehicle to a mechanic.
Step 1: Is it only one window?
Test all of the power windows in your vehicle. If none of them are working, or if a pair of them won't work (such as the two driver side windows, or the two front windows) you likely have a blown fuse. A fuse is easy (and cheap) to replace -- just locate the fuse in question by using the diagram on the cover of your vehicle's fuse box (or boxes) and replace the blown fuse with an identical fuse.
If the fuse is good, it's probably a problem with the wiring. A wire may have shorted out or become damaged. A wiring problem is more difficult to troubleshoot, and can require removing some of your vehicle's covers or panels.
Step 2: Is it only one switch?
If the driver (and sometimes front passenger) has a power window switch that controls other windows in the vehicle, try raising or lowering the window in question using both the switch located at that seat and the driver's master switch. If the window works using one of the switches but doesn't work with the other one, you probably just have a bad power window switch. Once you've isolated the bad switch, you can either replace it yourself (typically by removing the arm rest or side panel) or take the car to a repair shop to have the switch replaced.
While you're checking the various switches, make sure the power window lock located on the driver's switch (and front passenger switch, if applicable) is off. If it's on, switch the lock off and make sure the windows work as they should.
Step 3: Is it the motor?
At this point if you've completed the above steps but you still don't know what the problem is, you've likely ruled out a bad fuse, a bad switch, and the power window lock. You've probably also narrowed the problem down to one specific window.
When you hit the switch or push the button to raise or lower the window, listen closely for any sort of noise. If you hear a quiet whining noise, like something trying to work, the window motor might be dying. If you can, try to gently push the window down or raise it up as you push the power window button in the same direction -- if the window starts to move on its own, chances are good that the motor will need to be replaced.
Even if you don't hear that whining noise, the problem could still be the motor. At this point it's best to take the car in to a professional; other than the motor, you could have another problem with the window lift mechanism, or there could be a wiring issue somewhere.
(Originally posted on Helium.com, May 2012)
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