Auto Glass Power Window Repair in Houston
Dealing with a faulty power window in your vehicle can be a real hassle. Whether it’s stuck open, refusing to go down, or making strange noises, a broken power window affects your comfort and security when you’re heading to work or running errands around town.
At Affordable Auto Glass, we can get your power windows back in perfect working order. From simple fixes to complex motor and regulator replacements, we’ve got you covered. Get your auto glass repaired and serviced ASAP with our experienced team.
How Power Windows Work
Power windows in vehicles allow you to raise and lower the windows with the simple push of a button, replacing the older manual crank handles. They have several components: switch, motor, regulator, and tracks.
Power Window Switch
Each power window has a switch, usually located on the door panel. The driver’s side often has a “master” switch that controls all the windows, while individual doors have switches for their respective windows. These switches are essentially momentary electrical switches. They have at least two positions: one to send power to raise the window and another to send power in the opposite direction to lower it. Some modern vehicles have more complex switches with features like “express up/down” (one-touch operation).
Power Window Motor
Inside each door, connected to the window mechanism, is a small electric motor. When you press the power window switch, it completes an electrical circuit, sending power from the car’s battery to this motor. The direction in which you press the switch determines the polarity of the electricity sent to the motor. Reversing the polarity reverses the motor’s direction of rotation.
Power Window Regulator
The motor doesn’t directly move the window glass. Instead, it connects to a regulator, which is a mechanical assembly that translates the motor’s rotary motion into the linear motion needed to move the window up or down within its track.
Power Window Tracks and Guides
The window glass sits within tracks or guides inside the door frame. These ensure the window moves smoothly and stays aligned as it goes up and down.
So in a nutshell, here’s how your window works: you press the switch, and it sends an electrical signal to the motor. The motor turns, and its rotation moves the regulator. The regulator then pushes or pulls the window glass along the tracks.
Power Window Regulator vs. Motor Replacement
When your vehicle’s power window stops working, the issue is typically either the motor or the regulator. In many modern vehicles, the power window motor and regulator are sold as a single integrated unit. If either component fails, the entire assembly often needs to be replaced.
Is Your Regulator the Problem?
The regulator is the mechanical assembly inside the door that physically moves the window glass up and down. The two most common types are cable and scissor.
A cable regulator is common in newer vehicles. It uses a system of cables, pulleys, and a carrier plate attached to the window. The motor winds or unwinds the cables to move the window. Cables can fray, stretch, or break over time. Pulleys can also wear out or break.
Often found in older or some higher-end vehicles, a scissor regulator has a scissor-like arm. This central arm is connected to the window, and the motor drives a gear that moves the arms, lifting or lowering the window. Wear and tear on the pivot points or the gear can cause issues.
Symptoms of a faulty regulator include:
- Window moving slowly or erratically
- Grinding, clicking, or other unusual noises coming from inside the door
- Window falling down inside the door
- Window tilting or becoming misaligned
- You hear the motor running but the window is not moving
Is the Issue Your Window Motor?
The motor is the electric component that provides the power to operate the regulator. It can burn out due to overuse, electrical problems, or internal wear. It can also experience electrical issues with the wiring, fuses, or the switch itself can prevent power from reaching the motor.
Some motors also have internal gears that can become stripped, preventing the motor’s rotation from being effectively transferred to the regulator.
Signs that your motor is malfunctioning can include:
- Window not moving at all and no sound coming from inside the door
- Intermittent window operation (works sometimes, not others)
- Weak or sluggish window movement
- Hearing a clicking sound but the motor not engaging
Safety Features of Power Windows
Modern power windows often incorporate safety features to prevent injury to you or your passengers.
Anti-Pinch (Obstruction Detection): If the window encounters an obstruction while closing, sensors detect increased resistance, and the window automatically reverses direction.
Child Safety Lockout: A switch, usually on the driver’s side, allows the driver to disable the power window switches on the passenger doors, preventing children from accidentally operating them.
Safer Switch Designs: Newer vehicles often use “pull up to close/push down to open” switches that are less likely to be accidentally activated.
What Type of Glass for Driver and Passenger Windows
In most newer vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs, the side windows (both front driver/passenger and rear) are typically made of tempered glass. It is significantly stronger than regular annealed (non-treated) glass of the same thickness. It can withstand everyday stresses and impacts.
Tempered glass is designed to shatter into small, relatively harmless, pebble-like pieces when a significant force is applied. This is a crucial safety feature of your side windows as it reduces the risk of sharp, jagged shards causing serious injuries in the event of an accident or if a window is broken.
Tinting Your Power Windows in Houston
Houston summers are brutal! Window tint can significantly reduce the amount of solar heat entering your vehicle through your driver and passenger side windows. In addition, quality window tints block up to 99% of harmful UV rays. This helps prevent fading and cracking inside your vehicle.
Tinted windows can cut down on glare from the sun and headlights, improving visibility and making driving safer and more comfortable, especially during sunrise and sunset. Darker tints can also make it harder for people to see inside your vehicle. This can help act as a deterrent to potential thieves.
Schedule Houston Power Window Repair
Don’t let a malfunctioning power window be a daily frustration while driving around Houston every day. Our expert technicians can diagnose and repair any power window issue. Book an appointment at Affordable Auto Glass now to get your windows working smoothly again.
