Power window problems

[JHZR2]

Hello,

Curious what the collective see as the most common issues (failures) from power window systems? Is it the connections with the glass? regulators? motors? switches?

Does running a window up and down significantly reduce life compared to keeping it closed (dumb question on the surface), and what kind of life of regular use are these things generally designed for?

Thanks!

 

[5sfe91]

I don't think running a window up and down significantly reduces the life thats what its made for.

In my Celica the windows work along with the door locks and the sunroof still tilts and slides back.

 

[OilNerd]

I've had the most problems on windows that don't get rolled down much, so I wouldn't be afraid to use them. My driver-side windows have always been the most used and least problematic.

I've had to replace a few switches also.

 

[KilgoreBass]

Motors (or, more specifically, the gears in the motor unit, at least that is my experience)

 

[JHZR2]

What about daily use, has anyone ever "worn out" a power window?

 

[eljefino]

My issues have been wires metal fatiguing in door hinges, poor track lubrication (silicone spray is great) on manual crank 'em windows, and a switch full of skin dander and electrical arcing on my 240d.

And a motor in a cutlass ciera. I suspect you can "wear out" a motor as they get overloaded by poorly lubed everything, and jerks starting them up when frozen in by ice etc.

I'm a wicked nerd, but if I have to just stick something in my car I do it through a passenger door to keep the flexing down on the driver's door wiring.

 

[Warstud]

Gears & Motors:

Trying to lower the window down in the winter when it's frozen adds alot of resistance to the motor and gears. Also holding down the button to long when raising the window because the motor will continue to run after the window is completely shut.

 

[Smoky14]

In Hondas it seems to be the cables going to the regulators.

 

[onion]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Hello,

Curious what the collective see as the most common issues (failures) from power window systems? Is it the connections with the glass? regulators? motors? switches?

Does running a window up and down significantly reduce life compared to keeping it closed (dumb question on the surface), and what kind of life of regular use are these things generally designed for?

Thanks!


Depends on the vehicle of course- but on older GM's, I often see the linkage worn out, misaligned, and binding. Poor or no lube on the weatherstripping, linkage, and slides contributes to this.

On the other hand, lots of older vehicles have inoperative rear windows- binding up from lack of use and crusty/hardened lube & corrosion.

In my vast experience with old junk, the passenger's side front window is usually the last fail. It's used often enough to prevent binding and corrosion from lack of use, but it isn't used nearly as much as the driver's side window... and therefore doesn't completely wear out. I think that's a pretty good indication of what conditions would maximize power window life.

I occasionally get some silicon spray and lube the weatherstripping. It's a little messy, but definitely makes the windows slide more easily. Also I lube the linkage and slides if I happen to have a door panel off- which happens occasionally on old beaters.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: 5sfe91
I don't think running a window up and down significantly reduces the life thats what its made for.


Are you serious...You might be one of the lucky ones but for most part that is not the case....My entire family has had power windows since the late 60's and so far [knock on wood] has had no issues with them...We generally just keep them closed all the time and just run the a/c all year long...We just open them for the parking garage once in awhile...We even got the sunpass and easypass for tolls so we do not have open and close the windows all the time.

There are several people in my complex who open all the windows in their cars all the time to get the hot air out when they get into it...Buy the end of every summer I see black garbage bags hanging out of some of the windows as the window regulators went south..

BTW it is not a good idea to open and close all 4 windows at once as [the dealer told my neighbor] it strains the motor...If you are going to play around with your windows do one window at a time.

In Florida if you have tinted windows and a sunshade inside on your windsheild it really is not that bad when you get into it...Even in the sun all day.