How To Fix A Car Window That Won't Stay Up

Download Article

If your motorcar window is misaligned or stuck, but the hand crank or electric motor appears to exist working fine, you may be dealing with an off rail window.^[ane] Though never fun, off track windows are a common automotive trouble and can be hands fixed at home.

1
Remove screws and bolts forth the interior of the car door. Before fixing the window, you'll demand to become access to the inside of the car door. For smaller problems like an off track window, yous can exercise this by removing the interior car door panel, the plastic cover concealing the car'due south window mechanisms. These are typically held in place by simple screws and bolts, pregnant you tin can remove them using a screwdriver and wrench. If the fasteners are peculiarly tight, utilise a power tool instead of a manual one.^[2]
- For doors with standard panel fasteners, look for screws forth the height, base of operations, and side of the panel.
- For doors where the fasteners are hidden or not-standard, cheque your possessor'due south manual for diagrams and removal instructions.
ii

Remove the crank handle, command switch, and other accessories if necessary. Depending on the make and model of your auto, you may besides demand to remove a crank handle, window control switch, or any number of accessories including cupholders, arm rests, baggage bins, and door handles. Well-nigh of these tin be taken off with the same tools as the door itself, though some may require a specific tool or non-standard method of removal. Cheque your user's manual for details on automobile specific accessories.^[three]

Advertisement
3
Pop the door panel off using a thin, sturdy tool. With all the trims and fastenings removed, place a pocket-size, strong tool under the edges of the door. Press down on the tool gently to pop the door panel out. You may need to exercise this in multiple spots around the panel to fully remove it.^[4]
- Though whatever thin tool can exist used, ranging from pocket-sized crowbars to sparse pieces of metal, specialty console removal tools will make the task easier.
4

Remove coverings and unplug whatsoever wires connected to the door console. If your auto has whatever, pull back insulation or vapor barriers roofing the inside of the door. Then, unplug any wiring keeping the panel fixed to the motorcar. When y'all're finished, remove the door panel and put it to the side.^[5]

Ad

i
Examine the window track for clothing. In some cases, an off rails window may exist acquired by a cleaved or worn out track. If areas in the track are rusted, apply a few drops of white lithium lubricant to them. If areas in the track are bent, try pressing them into shape using the back of a hammer, wrench, or other firm tool. If the track is rusted or bent to the point of being unusable, y'all will need to supervene upon the window regulator and, most likely, the window motor.^{[half dozen]}
- Depending on your car'southward make and model, replacement regulators typically cost betwixt $190 and $270, not including a motor.
two

Add together adhesive if your window rails is dry or crude. If your window track uses glue to hold the glass in place, bear on it to brand certain it is still pasty. If the window track is dry out, rough, or cracked, squeeze a layer of Automotive Goop or similar automotive adhesive into information technology.^[vii]
3
Inspect the electric window motor with a voltmeter. Over fourth dimension, a bad window motor can cause the glass pane to stop moving, making information technology appear off rails or causing it to fall out of alignment. Check the motor for whatever clear signs of damage, like dents or holes. If the device seems proficient, connect voltmeter wires to the motor'due south connector terminals. If the voltmeter reads between +12 and -12 volts, the window motor is in good working condition. ^[viii]
- If the motor seems fine but doesn't operate correctly, supplant the associated fuse in the fuse box. If it still doesn't work, bank check the window control switch by connecting an ohmmeter to it and and looking for little to no resistance when the switch is pressed.^[9]
- Depending on your auto'southward brand and model, await replacement motors to cost between $120 and $240, non including a regulator.
4
Check for bad wire connections. In some cases, a stuck or off-track window may accept been caused by a loose or faulty wire. Examine each wire within the door for kinks, tears, and other forms of damage. If they wait good, make certain they're fully connected to the window motor. If the wires are damaged or cleaved, you will need to replace them or, in some cases, the whole motor.^[10]
- Though non ever available, model-specific replacement wires generally run between $fifteen and $50 dollars.
Advertising

1
Drop the window glass to the lesser of the window channel. Since you volition be realigning the glass, motility it to the bottom of the frame that lines the within of the car door, amend known as the window channel. Using ane hand, firmly slide the glass downwards as far as you can. If necessary, guide the bottom border with your other hand.^[11]
- If the window is stuck, run a thin utility knife between the window and door to remove any blockage, then keep sliding it down. Proceed the bract parallel to the window to avert scratching information technology.
- If the window will not move down, pull the panel out through the top opening and reinsert it.
ii
Move the glass onto the window runway. Move your window glass until it is lined up on the window track once again. Look for areas where the track is pinched, pressed downwardly, or blocked and adjust the window appropriately. When you lot're finished, your window should sit down entirely within the track. Window tracks are not uniform, and so consult your owner's transmission for model specific instructions.^[12]
- In some cars, y'all may need to remove the bolts on the window track, slide the window in, and rebolt the track.
iii

Connect your drinking glass to the window lift if necessary. Realigning your glass to fit the rail may throw other parts of the window off, in particular the motor and other elements of the window regulator machinery. Bank check to brand sure that your window is connected to every part of the lift it needs to be, consulting your owner's transmission for model specific information. If anything is not properly connected, gently adjust your glass or the elevator itself to fix the trouble.^[13]
4

Cover your rollers and tracks with lubricant. Over time, your rollers and tracks will dry out, making it harder for them to enhance and lower the window. To fix this, clear the rollers and tracks of whatever dirt or dust using a brush or can of compressed air, and then rub on a coat of Lucas Oil white lithium grease or like white lithium lubricant. Avoid generic make lubricant like WD-40 unless you're using a specialty variant.^[14]
5

Examination to brand sure the window works. If possible, reattach just the crank handle or control switch and use them to test the repair. For some cars, you may need to reattach the entire door console before testing.
half-dozen

Reattach the door panel. When you lot're finished checking and realigning your window, supercede the door panel and everything you removed. Beginning by plugging in any wires your disconnected and replacing any protective covers. So, slip your panel back in identify followed by whatsoever accessories your removed. Finally, secure everything with the screws and bolts you took out.

Advert

Add New Question

Question

How tin you tell if a window is off track?

Duston Maynes is an Automotive Repair Specialist at RepairSmith. Duston specializes in leading a team that handles a multifariousness of automotive repairs including replacing spark plugs, front and rear restriction pads, fuel pumps, auto batteries, alternators, timing belts, and starter motors. Duston holds an Acquaintance's degree in Automotive/Diesel Technology from The Universal Technical Institute of Arizona and is a Certified Diagnostic Technician and Automobile Mechanics Technician through BMW Step. RepairSmith received The 2020 Big Innovation Award by Business Intelligence Group and The Startup of the Year by the American Concern Awards. RepairSmith was also included in Built in LA's l Startups to Lookout and The Business organisation Intelligence Group'south 52 Names Leading the Fashion in Customer Service. RepairSmith offers in-domicile services to provide car owners convenient and complete auto repair everywhere.

Automotive Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

The window won't go upward or down evenly. Sometimes, the window won't move and you tin can hear the regulator going.
Question

How exercise I align the window track in the front commuter side window on a 2007 Pontiac Vibe?

Ryan Bacigalupi

Community Answer

The door will need to be disassembled and the glass removed. One time removed, the retainer should be located. The drinking glass will need to exist cleaned of all residuum silicone and a new retainer and silicone will demand to be applied.
Question

Is at that place a video showing how to do this?

Yes, there are videos on YouTube. Practice a search for "how to supplant a passenger side window." The process is the aforementioned.
Question

What holds the glass in the runway?

Ryan Bacigalupi

Customs Answer

Information technology depends on the vehicle. On most in that location is a wedge-like device that the window sits in, which is bonded with silicone. When replacing the drinking glass, a new retainer and proper silicone should be used.

Inquire a Question

200 characters left

Include your e-mail address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

If the window still doesn't work, bank check the individual parts and rails alignment again or have the car inspected by a mechanic.

Advertizement

When working, habiliment a long-sleeved shirt, full pants, closed toed shoes, and a pair of latex or nitrile gloves for safety. Work slowly to avoid injuries from the glass or individual auto parts.
The information in this article is intended to provide general answers for oft asked questions nearly this topic, and may not be applicable to all vehicles. Please refer to your vehicle's owner'south manual for details most maintenance intervals and other vehicle specifications. If you are unsure near your power to perform any repair, we recommend contacting a certified automotive technician to perform the necessary work.

Nigh This Commodity

Commodity Summary X

To set an off-track window, start past removing the screws and bolts belongings the car door console in identify. Then, pop the door panel off using a sparse, sturdy tool, similar a crowbar. With the door interior exposed, use your hand to slide the window down to the bottom of the window channel as far as information technology will go. Side by side, move the window until it's lined upwardly on the window rail, and reconnect it to the window lift if it'south disconnected. Finally, spray the rollers and track with a lubricant and so it'south easier to enhance and lower them, and reattach your motorcar door panel. To larn how to audit your window parts for harm and bad connections, coil downward!

Did this summary assistance you?

Thank you to all authors for creating a page that has been read 158,238 times.