Car Hacks – How to fix a stuck car window

July 21, 2020

So, your car window got stuck? Relax.

Don’t panic!

There are various tactics that can help you solve it – whether your car window stuck up or down.

Stuck car windows are inconvenient. You’ll lose the convenience of drive-thru coffees, fast food meals, and banking.

Question:

Is it easy to fix a stuck car window?

Yes. In fact, there are cases when you don’t even need a special tool to roll up or down a stuck car window.

First thing first, let’s look at the reasons why your car window got stuck and we’ll take it from there.

Since electric and manual windows have different mechanisms, there are also different reasons why they fail.

A power window uses a reversible electric motor connected to a regulator to lower and raise the window. The switches, wiring, regulator, and motor can go bad which can lead to a stuck window.

On the other hand, a manual car window uses a hand crank and a mechanical regulator. The regulator can be deformed due to friction when the lubricating grease dries out.

Don’t worry! There is a solution to all of that. A repair can be done without spending too much,

So, let’s look at some useful hacks that work:

Troubleshooting a Stuck Electric Car Window

Turn on the ignition key. If the radio and other windows are working, you’re all set to fixing the stuck power window.

Press and hold the window switch in a closed position. Keep the button depressed and push the side that closes the window.

Open and slam the car door while the window button is depressed. Try it a few times until the window opens.

If it does not work, close the door and find the door panel to check for areas in contact with the sheet metal inside the door.

With the power window button depressed, hit the area with your fist or some blunt object. Be careful not to damage your door or hurt yourself.

Hopefully, the car window will roll up this time. Leave it until you’re ready to fix it.

If it did not work, there might be a problem with the switch, window motor, or fuse. At this point, the best thing to do is to take your car to a mechanic.

How to fix a manual car window that stopped working?

Find out why the window stopped working. You may need to remove the window crank and door panel to check it properly.

If the window crank freewheels, or if you hear some grinding sound, then the teeth may be stripped inside the crank. Replacing the crank can solve it.

If the crank is good, then you should check the window and regulator. Make sure the window hasn’t popped out of the channel. If so, you need to pop it back to roll up.

If the grease dried out on the regulator, you’ll be able to roll up your window by applying new grease.

P.S. Manual windows are easier to fix compared to electric ones. With the manual window, there are only two things that could be the reason why it stopped working: stripped gears in the crank or some problem with the regulator.

Remember:

Diagnose the problem before doing any kind of fixing.

The first thing to do is to find out what’s causing the window to get stuck. You can normally tell the problem by listening to the sound when you push the window button. If there is no sound, it’s an electrical issue, you might need to replace the motor. On the other hand, if you can hear noises while pushing the window button, it is a mechanical issue. You can also check the door panel, motor, and other parts of the window to make sure that they’re all working.

Take the car to the mechanic.

It is best to get professional help to avoid the risk of damaging your car window. Fixing the broken window alone may not work – you may end up spending a lot on repairs. It is important to get it done professionally to ensure a fully functioning car window.