Atlanta GA – Window Switch Repair
Mobile Power Window Switch Replacement for Your Home or Office
The convenience of power window switches, as offered by The Power Window Doctors, is something we quickly grow accustomed to. A gentle press of a finger, and your window gracefully slides into the desired position, effortlessly and smoothly. However, over the course of your vehicle’s life, there will come a day when pressing that switch fails to yield the expected outcome. The Power Window Doctors understand this frustration all too well. The window might emit groans and jerks as it hesitates to move or even stubbornly refuses to budge, offering no response to your digital request for window movement. In such situations, the expertise of The Power Window Doctors becomes imperative to prevent potential damage to other components, such as the regulator, caused by manual attempts to adjust the window’s position.
What Does Power Window Switch Replacement Entail?
Your vehicle’s power window switch plays a pivotal role in the power window system, and The Power Window Doctors specialize in its replacement. In today’s automotive world, almost all vehicles are equipped with electrically powered windows, replacing the manual crank handles of old. This transformation makes the act of raising and lowering windows as simple as pushing a button, a service that The Power Window Doctors excel at. When activated, the power window switch sends an electric current to the window motor, which is connected to the window regulator, setting it into motion. The electric motor, in turn, operates a series of gears that drive the window regulator’s linkage, ultimately raising or lowering the window glass according to the indicated direction from the window switch. Individual power window switches are typically located on the door panel armrest of each respective door, controlling the window movement for that specific door. Meanwhile, the master power window switch, which The Power Window Doctors are experts at servicing, is responsible for all the windows in the vehicle. It is usually situated on the driver’s side door panel armrest, though in some vehicles, it may be positioned on the center console.
How Is Power Window Switch Replacement Executed by The Power Window Doctors?
- Examine the fuse box for faulty or open fuses, with their locations detailed in the vehicle owner’s manual. The Power Window Doctors ensure that no electrical detail is overlooked.
- Remove the power window switch from the door panel with precision and care, a skill that The Power Window Doctors have honed over years of experience.
- Depending on your vehicle’s make and model, you may need to remove the door panel to access the switch’s cabling, a task The Power Window Doctors perform efficiently.
- Install the new power window switch into the door panel, utilizing their expertise to ensure a perfect fit.
- Reconnect the power window switch and thoroughly test both the window and switch operation before reassembling the door panel. The Power Window Doctors leave no room for error.
- Reinstall the door panel and restore power, with The Power Window Doctors ensuring that every component is securely in place and functioning optimally.
Recommendations from The Power Window Doctors
While power window switches generally enjoy a long lifespan, it’s wise to avoid excessive and unnecessary use, as continuous manipulation can potentially shorten the system’s longevity. Trust The Power Window Doctors to provide expert advice on maintaining your power window system.
Indicators That Signal the Need for Power Window Switch Replacement by The Power Window Doctors
- Unusual noises when attempting to move the window up or down.
- Intermittent window operation, a concern that The Power Window Doctors can swiftly diagnose and address.
Once you’ve decided to replace these worn parts with dependable replacements provided by The Power Window Doctors, you can rest assured that you’re making a wise choice. We assure you that when you order through our website, you’re receiving replacement products of enduring quality, manufactured to rigorous standards. We collaborate with leading automotive manufacturers to deliver the most reliable solutions for malfunctioning power windows, a commitment that defines The Power Window Doctors. Our replacement parts undergo strict quality control during the manufacturing process, guaranteeing superior reliability and seamless installation. A mobile mechanic from The Power Window Doctors can come to your location, whether you’re at home or in the office, and provide you with an estimate for servicing and repairing your car, making the entire process hassle-free and convenient. Trust The Power Window Doctors for all your power window switch replacement needs in Atlanta, Georgia.
What are the Components of Power Windows?
Simply: Regulator – Motor – Switch – At some point in the life of the vehicle, one or more of these will fail. What are they? Read on.
Power Windows have been an option in vehicles as early as 1940 in the Packard. It was a Hydro Electric system and Ford followed up in 1941 with a system of their own. Power Windows were an Option up till about the 80’s. About this time they became a standard feature on most vehicles. Manual Windows now have become the “Option”.
Have you wondered what’s inside your door? What actually makes the car power windows go up and down? Some vehicles have power windows that go Up and Down Automatically. They also have an “anti-pinch” feature that stops raising if they are obstructed. Maybe you’ve see videos where the window is opened by turning the key in the door lock.
We’ll explain what the components of the power windows are, AND explain what power window parts are replaced, repaired or rebuilt. Most of the time, rebuilding the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) part is stronger than replacing it.
The Lifting Mechanism / Assembly / Regulator
The main component of the modern power window is the Regulator or Lifting Mechanism (Assembly). It’s essentially at the heart of the power window system. You’ve probably heard the saying “Oh, it’s just Off Track”. That’s not going to be the case any longer. Modern power window regulators don’t go “off track”. There’s some pivot point or stress point that has broken.
There are several styles of Window Regulators. We’ll cover the primary styles that are used in the vehicles today.
- Cable Regulators
- Scissor Lifts
- Flexible Shaft
- Cantilever
Essentially the Power Window Regulator job is to lift & lower the glass while keeping it level. This is done by an Electric motor that is geared via spools or reduction gears. Providing sufficient torque to lift and lower the window.
What’s important about Power Windows is they can’t be forced open. The Cables and Gears take care of this. Your vehicle is vulnerable to vandalism and theft when the power window regulator is broke. Duct Tape, Wedges or little pieces of cardboard broadcast that THIS WINDOW IS BROKEN.
All Power Window Regulators have weak spots. This is due to the plastic parts, or environmental strains that wear out or break. [cwd ref=”Company”] / The Power Window Doctors use OEE (Original Equipment Equivalent) or stronger parts when repairing your power window regulator.
Manual window regulators are essentially the same, except, there are no wires, motors or switches. They wear out similarly but are not as popular as they were.
Power Window Motors
Power Window Motors have evolved over the years. Prior to about 1995, power window motors were more universal. The same motor was used through out many vehicle models in Ford, Chrysler, GM (Chevrolet) and even imports Honda, Nissan (Datsun), Volkswagen, Mercedes and BMW. That is not the case today. Now most are designed for specific models, years and regulator design. One particular motor may only fit 2-3 years of a specific vehicle. Another may fit a wide range of vehicles (Ex: GM Trucks 2000 – 2006, or Ford Trucks (1995 – 2000). Those are now the exceptions to the rule.
Power window motors are now getting smaller and more specific. They also are not user friendly when it comes to replacing just the motor. A lot of time the power window regulator and motor come as a combination.
This is due to springs (that can cause injury when released) or how the cables are spooled and tension applied.
Power Window Switches
Power Windows may be wired in different ways, dependent upon the features.
The Basic System
This system is just that, Basic. Power is fed to the front drivers door and comes back through to control the other doors. They all feed through the same 20 Amp fuse. Most of the time (99.999%) there is no such thing as “just a blown fuse”. Typically if there is a switch problem, it’s going to be worn contacts or diodes.
The switch is simple in design. The button is pressed and it completes a circuit in the direction you want to window to go. The power goes towards the Up or the power goes towards the Down. When these contacts have a carbon build up, they stop working.
An Advanced System
In these systems the power windows work in a completely different way. Some cars have what’s called a Body Controller (Body Control Module – BCM) that centralizes the electronic functions. The power for window motors doesn’t come directly from the switch. Instead it is connected to one of the many modules in the vehicle. (Average is 25 modules) Some have a module in each door.
Vehicles that have lots of controls are likely to have this. Some switches include the power mirror controls, power door locks and even power seat adjustments. This makes the switch more expensive to replace simply because one window doesn’t work. Most likely it’s the Drivers Power Window that stops working.
Note: On some vehicles like this, the dealer has to “Program” the switches. The software isn’t available to the general public. (Chevrolet Trucks 2007 >, Chevrolet Trailblazer Master Switch etc.)
Additional Features
- Automatic Up/Down – A fairly common feature on most cars with power windows is the Automatic-down feature. When the button is tapped and released the window goes completely down. The split second you hold the switch down is monitored by a circuit and stops when it hits the limit switch. When the button is held down longer, it’ll stop when you release the button. Windows with the Automatic-up feature are less common. A concern with Automatic-up windows is if a child, or anything, gets in the way of the window it has to stop before hurting the child. (or breaking the glass) This is controlled by monitoring the motor speed via a circuit in the BCM (see above). If the window slows or binds, the circuit reverses the motor so the window goes back down halfway or all the way.
- Window Control From Outside – Some vehicles you can roll the window down just by turning (and holding) the door key in the drivers door. You’ve probably seen this in commercials. Not very useful, in our opinion.
- Courtesy Power-On – When you turn the ignition off, the power windows will continue to work until one of the doors are opened. This is a convenience feature that saves from having to put the key in the ignition to just roll down the window. After a given amount of time, this feature is turned off by the BCM.
Power Window Repair / Diagnosis
Diagnosing the Power Window is a simple process. What happened just before and after the window stopped working? Did you hear a SNAP – POP! and the window just sank in the door or dropped suddenly? When you pushed on the button nothing happens, it just didn’t go down? It went down and now when you pull the button, it doesn’t go Up? It works intermittently, at times it goes slow and other times it doesn’t do a thing?
Here’s some questions for diagnosing:
- Do you hear the motor? If you hear the motor, then the motor is still working and the switch is still good. Most likely the regulator is broke and needs to be replaced or repaired.
- Did the window go down and just not come back up? If you don’t hear the motor and you didn’t hear a SNAP or POP!, then it’s most likely going to be a switch issue.
- Is the window stuck UP and not coming down? The motor is most like the culprit. When a motor is stuck UP, the carbon has built up enough to prevent current from flowing through the motor.
- Is your window cockeyed or going up at an angle? The Window Regulator is most like broke. One of the glass carriers has detached from the glass and the regulator is only lifting from the front or the back.
Call for a complete Diagnosis. We’ll quote a fair price for repairing or replacing the component that’s failed. Providing a 1 Yr Warranty on Parts and Labor. Let [cwd ref=”Company”] / The Power Window Doctors be your first choice.
Testimonials for The Power Window Doctors Switch Repair
“I had my 2005 Toyota Camry’s power window switch repaired by The Power Window Doctors in Decatur, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Smooth operation once again!” – Lisa H., Decatur
“The Power Window Doctors in Marietta fixed the power window switch on my 2010 Ford Explorer. They were efficient and knowledgeable. My window is working like new!” – Jason R., Marietta
“I was experiencing power window issues with my 2007 Nissan Altima in Sandy Springs. The Power Window Doctors came to the rescue and resolved the problem promptly. Excellent service!” – Michelle W., Sandy Springs
“I contacted The Power Window Doctors in Roswell for my 2012 Honda Civic‘s power window switch repair. They were professional and saved me from potential regulator damage. Highly recommended!” – David P., Roswell
“My 2004 Chevy Tahoe‘s power window switch malfunctioned in Duluth. The Power Window Doctors were quick to respond and fixed it on the spot. Great service!” – Karen L., Duluth
