4 Symptoms of a Faulty Window Regulator
Almost every new vehicle on the road today is equipped with power windows. The benefit of power windows is that you can raise and lower your vehicle’s door window with the push of a button or switch.
This is certainly more convenient than the traditional manual window regulators, which require you to manually raise and lower the window. The mechanism that makes the power window magic work is called a power window regulator.
What does a window regulator do? If you’ve ever raised or lowered a car window, you’ve used a window regulator. A window regulator is a mechanism in a car door that controls the up and down movement of the window glass.
It’s usually made of plastic or metal and consists of a series of gears and tracks that work together to move the window. The window regulator is connected to the window glass through a series of rollers and cables.
How a window regulator works
All doors with powered windows are fitted with an electric motor. This motor is connected to the window through the window regulator.
When a person presses the button on the door to raise or lower the window, it activates an electric motor, which then uses the window regulator to perform the action on the window. Manual windows also had power windows, but they were a little different from today’s power windows. When someone turns the window, it actually turns a gear to move the window regulator, which then moves the window.
These window regulators are very heavy because they use metal parts. Electric windows, on the other hand, are a lightweight cable connected to the drive mechanism. Most new vehicles with power windows have this cable control.
The 4 Most Common Symptoms of a Defective Window Regulator
Here are 4 common symptoms to look out for when your power window breaks. When these symptoms occur, your power window will not work properly.
1) Window regulator button not working
If you can’t raise or lower your door window by pressing the appropriate button, your power window may be broken. This is the most obvious symptom of this type of problem.
2) Window is stuck
You may be able to raise or lower the window slightly, but it may get stuck halfway between your desired positions. If the window is stuck, your window regulator may be faulty.
3) Strange noises
If the window moves and you hear strange noises, this may be an early warning sign of a broken window regulator. You may hear grinding, clicking, or rattling noises.
4) Window Falls
Very rarely, if the window regulator is badly damaged, the window may literally fall into the door when you raise or lower it. This often happens if your car has been in an accident and the door has been damaged by another car.