How to Troubleshoot A Car Door Window

There are generally two flavors of car door windows, the first being manual and the second being electric. No matter what the issue, door windows tend to have few parts and are relatively easy to fix or troubleshoot. Below are some common issues and their resolutions.

Instructions

1

WINDOW DOES NOT ROLL UP INTO THE WINDOW SEAL

This is a common issue that is often caused by the window actuator arm being bent. The window actuator arm is nothing more than the tray that the window sits on and can easily be bent back or replaced.

Sometimes the weather stripping warps and that can cause window alignment problems too. I would definitely look into the weather stripping first then look at the actuator arm.

2

WINDOW DOES NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN OR ROLLS UP BUT NOT DOWN

Wow that was kind of wordy. For manual or electric windows it could be due to a misalignment with the window actuator arm. For Manual windows check the clutch actuator arm, which is the crank you use to crank up the window. The teeth might be worn or the gears inside might be worn. check both.

For electric windows, the relay which is the switch box that sends electricity to the tiny motors that roll up or down your windows might be burnt out. Check the other windows to make sure that the problem is not wide spread and is only with the specific window. If all your windows have the same problem it might be a wiring issue.

3

MOTOR RUNS BUT WINDOW DOES NOT ROLL UP

If you have an electric car door window this means that the window door mechanisms are damaged. Usually the sound of a humming motor means the switch can send the signal to the relay and then to the motor but the motor is trying to turn damaged gears. It equivalent to pedaling a bike with a damaged rear cassette, you can pedal all you want but the bike will go no where.

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How to Replace a Broken Car Window

Broken car windows are unsightly, and depending on which window is broken, they can be dangerous, as well. A garbage bag taped over the hole can be a temporary fix, but you should replace the glass as soon as possible to ensure no one gets cut, nothing flies out of your car and no one tries to get into your vehicle when youre not around. Luckily, broken car windows are a fairly simple do-it-yourself project.

Instructions

1

Buy a new window specific to your vehicle. You can easily purchase a new window at the dealership. Alternatively, you can find a great bargain by visiting your local auto salvage yard.

2

Detach the inside panel on your car door. You will need to look and feel around the panel to find all the screws, and then use the screwdriver to undo them and pull the panel away from the door.

3

Remove all door handles and armrests. These are also screwed into place, and you must remove them in order to get the panel all the way off the door.

4

Peel back the plastic or waterproof sheath that was under the panel. If you do not see a plastic sheath, your car simply may not have one.

5

Clean out the existing window track and all other window components such as the weatherstripping in the door. Wipe down your new window. If the existing track and weatherstripping are still good, you can use them for the new window. This includes motorized windows.

6

Locate the small hole on the bottom of your new window, which will be at the rear of the window. There is a small clip located on the window track that slips into this hole and attaches the window to the door.

7

Slide the new window glass into the door from the top, set it in the track and attach the clip to the hole. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, it may be difficult to slide the window down due to the shape of the brackets. The key is to maneuver the window patiently, removing any obstacles like additional clips or brackets that may be blocking the glass as you slide it.

8

Ensure your glass is supported in the track by any other brackets or clips. It should now roll up smoothly without getting caught or moving around in the track too much.

9

Replace the plastic sheath, door panel, handles and armrests. Ensure the window rolls smoothly, and tighten all the screws down.

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How to Repair Car Window Rubbers

The rubber on a car window can become cracked or chipped over time. Rubber on car windows usually dries out as a result of sun exposure and poor maintenance. Once the rubber dries out, it tends to shrink. This can cause irreversible damage to the rubber. Fortunately, depending on the extent of the damage, it can be repaired using a special sealant.

Instructions

1

Wash the rubber with soap and water using a sponge.

2

Dry the area with a lint-free towel.

3

Apply a bead of urethane sealer to the window rubber and smooth it out over the rubber with an applicator pad. Make sure that the urethane seals any cracks or covers any chipped areas in the rubber.

4

Allow the urethane to dry (called "curing") overnight before exposing it to any sunlight (or elements in general).

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How to Fix a 1998 Honda Civic Power Window Track

The power window track on your 1998 Honda Civic is used to guide your power windows up and down while preventing a sudden fall or an odd angle tilt. When this track is not functioning correctly, the direct result will be that your windows will not open and close properly. In order to alleviate this you will have to fix your power window track by reinserting the entire length of the window back into the power window track.

Instructions

1

Remove all of the exposed screws on the door panel, around the door handle, and in the armrest using a Phillips head screwdriver.

2

Lower the windows down as far as it can go.

3

Disconnect the wiring harness from the power window controls and remove the armrest and door handle.

4

Remove the speaker from the lower corner of the door and disconnect it from the wiring harness.

5

Pry off the door panel using your hands or a flathead screwdriver wrapped in a shop rag. Start at the lower corner and work your way around until the entire panel pops off.

6

Loosen the brass mounting bolt on the lower corner of the door.

7

Use the hole where the speaker was and move the window until it slides into the power window track.

8

Tighten the brass mounting bolt.

9

Reattach the door panel to the door by pushing it until all the tabs snap into place.

10

Snap the wiring harnesses for the speaker and the power window control back into place.

11

Screw the armrest, speaker, and door handle into place with the screws your removed earlier and a Phillips head screwdriver.

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How to Remove Window Tint Steam

All window tints become cracked or damaged over time, requiring you to remove the tint in order to apply a new sheet. When it comes to removing window tint, using a steam machine is one of the best options. Professionals use steamers because it makes the process go a lot faster and smoother and there is less of a chance of damaging the window in the process. Applying steam the window dissolves the adhesive, allowing you to peel away the tint in a quick motion.

Instructions

1

Apply steam to the interior of the window to lift the tint film. Run steamer along the outer edges of the film for two to three minutes working side to side.

2

Lift the edge of the film using your finger nails and slowly pull downward applying steam heat to the film as you go. The steam will continually melt the adhesive, allowing you to lift away the full section of tint leaving minimal residue and pieces behind.

3

Scrape away any large sections that remain on the window using a razor blade. Spray with soapy water during this process to keep the area moist.

4

Soak the window thoroughly with soapy water and scrub clean with a super-fine steel wool scrub. This will lift up any adhesive left on the surface. Wipe window clean with dish soap water and paper towels.

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How to Remove Replace a Passenger Window on a 2001 Ford Focus

There are multiple reasons why the passenger-side window on the Ford Focus might need work. If the glass has been broken or cracked, it needs replacing for safety reasons. If the regulator containing the glass is not working properly, it can break the window and possibly damage other components in the door. You need to remove the doors inner trim panel in order to remove and replace the window glass and/or the regulator.

Instructions

Removing the Door Panel

1

Disconnect the cars negative battery cable.

2

Remove the cover trim on the doors grab handle and the small plastic screw cover in the door handle cavity using a screwdriver. Remove the screws inside the pull handle and the cavity, then slide the bezel off the door handle.

3

Disconnect the electrical connector from the windows control switch.

4

Unscrew all of the securing screws along the outer edge of the trim panel, then pull the panel away from the door and rotate it upward at the back to remove it.

Accessing the Window

5

Take out the oddly shaped impact bolster by rotating it counterclockwise to release it from its retaining clips. Remove the retaining clips afterward.

6

Disconnect the speaker from the door by removing the four mounting screws with a screwdriver and disconnecting its wiring.

7

Unclip the door release handle from the doors front end and slide it out forward to remove it. Leave the cable connected to the handle.

8

Cut the butyl strip on the plastic weather shield with a knife, and peel the plastic from the door. Dont touch the adhesive on the plastic.

Replacing the Window

9

Reconnect the window controls to the electrical connector, and lower the window until you can see the windows support bracket bolts through the access holes in the door. Then disconnect the connector again.

10

Loosen the bolts on the support bracket with a wrench without removing them, and then lift the glass out the door through the top opening while tilting it upward at the rear.

11

Remove the mounting bolts for the window regulator and motor, disconnect the multi-plug from the regulator, unclip the regulators cables and remove the regulator through the bottom hole in the door.

12

Slide the replacement regulator into the door through the bottom hole, bolt it in place and connect the multi-plug and cables.

13

Insert the glass down into the door, making sure it is correctly located in the support brackets, and tighten the bolts.

14

Reconnect the water shield, the door release, the speaker and the impact bolster.

15

Reinstall the doors inner trim panel.

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How to Repair a Subaru Outback Window

Basic car repairs may call for you to bring your car into the shop, but smaller damages like a cracked window on your Subaru Outback are nothing to fret over. Perform this repair easily at home with the right materials and some time. Fixing the damage before it gets worse is the key to preventing future occurrences.

Instructions

1

Wash off the window with soap and water. Dry off with a soft cloth.

2

Scrape any loose shards of glass out of the cracks with the corner of the razor blade. Make sure you have the goggles on for safety purposes.

3

Set the suction cup stabilizer in place. Hold it over the crack, push it down onto the glass and see the suction between the two begin to form.

4

Place the resin tube into the injector, and then push the injector into the stabilizer unit.

5

Pull the injector out. The resin will begin to fill the cracks due to the intense suction between the stabilizer and the glass.

6

Remove the stabilizer once the resin tube is empty, and place the adhesive film over the fresh repair. Let dry.

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How to Repair a Power Window on a Windstar 2002

The primary components of a power window are the glass, the regulator that holds the glass, the control switches and the wiring connecting the switch to the regulator. Cracked or broken window glass needs to be replaced, but the regulator, the switches and the wiring can also cause problems. What you need to do for repairs depends on where the malfunction is. This can be tricky on a Ford Windstar 2002 van, as the window glass and regulator are installed with rivets instead of bolts.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the vans negative battery cable with the window down.

2

Pry out the trim cover for the inside handle with a small flat screwdriver, then pull out the switch control plate, disconnecting its electrical connector. Replace the control plate and skip to Step 8 if thats all you need.

3

Pull out the side mirror cover, then remove all the screws on the door panel along the edges and behind the switch plate. Pull the panel off its clips and off the door, then peel away the watershield.

4

Disconnect the electrical connector for the window regulator. If the wiring is damaged and this is the only issue, install a new wiring harness and skip to Step 7.

5

Drill out the rivets holding the window glass to the regulator and lift the glass out of the door. Drill out the regulators rivets, then pull the arm bracket and regulator out through the service hole.

6

Install the new regulator within the door and fasten it with a rivet gun. Slide and lower the door glass into the door and regulator and apply rivets to it, then connect the electrical connector.

7

Paste the watershield back onto the door and reinstall the door panel with its clips and screws.

8

Plug in the electrical connector and install the switch plate followed by all other small trim panels you removed.

9

Reconnect the battery cable.

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How to Remove a 67 Chevelle Rear Quarter Window

The 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle was part of the first generation of the long-lasting line that began production in 1963. The Chevelle is considered one of Chevrolets biggest selling and most popular models. Removing the rear quarter window from your 67 Chevelle is a fairly simple process and can be done with just a few common tools. If you have basic auto repair knowledge, you can do the work yourself and save the cost of professional labor fees.

Instructions

1

Use the Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the mounting screws that attach the trim around the edges of the quarter window. Remove the trim from the window and set it aside.

2

Carefully remove the weatherstripping from around the window. Use your fingers to unhook and pull it away from around the window. Set it aside with the window trim.

3

Use a sharp blade to cut away the rubber gasket from around the edges of the window. Make an initial incision at the top of the gasket and cut around the window in a clockwise direction until you have removed all of the gasket.

4

Put on protective gloves, and press the quarter panel outward from inside the vehicle with your hands. Push the inside of the window with one hand while you brace the outside of the window with your other hand. In this way, you will be able to hold onto the window as you remove it from the frame. Be careful not to break the glass

5

Cut away the remainder of the gasket still attached to the window frame. Install the new glass window with a new gasket, and reattach the parts you removed in reverse order.

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How to Remove a 1967 Mustang Door Window

Removing the door glass from a 1967 Mustang may seem like a perplexing task, particularly since there seems to be nothing holding the glass in place. Behind the door panel, however, are two metal window stops, which cause the window to be rolled up only so far. When you remove the door stops, the window will be freed; but because the front of the window curves into the vent window, you must loosen the vent window and tilt it to the side. Fortunately, removing the door glass is surprisingly simple and will take about 20 minutes.

Instructions

1

Remove the six screws that secure the rectangular weatherstripping piece to the top of the door jamb, using a flat-head screwdriver, then pull the weatherstripping piece off the door.

2

Remove the two bolts that secure the armrest to the interior side of the door, using a socket wrench, then pull the armrest off the door.

3

Remove the single screw in the center of the window regular handle and in the center of the interior door handle, using a Phillips screwdriver. Pull the handles off the door.

4

Pry the door panel off the door, using the flat-head screwdriver.

5

Position the window regulator handle back onto its gear on the interior side of the door. It is not necessary to install the handles retaining screw.

6

Roll the window halfway down.

7

Remove the rear window stop. Two window stops are located at the base of the window. The side of the window closest to the back of the car contains the rear stop, while the side of the window closest to the front of the Mustang is the front stop. Reach through the door panel opening and hold the rear window stop. Insert a deep socket through the access hole at the back of the interior side of the door, then remove the bolt holding the rear stop in place. Pull the window stop out of the door.

8

Remove the front window stop. Reach through the door panel opening and hold the front window stop. Insert a deep socket through the access hole at the front of the interior side of the door, then remove the bolt holding the front stop in place. Pull the window stop out of the door.

9

Loosen the three bolts that secure the vent window, using a wrench. Two bolts are at the front of the vent window, while the third bolt is at the bottom of the long metal arm protruding from the back of the vent window down the length of the door.

10

Tilt the vent window toward the front of the Mustang, then roll the window up until the metal base of the window is exposed. Grasp each end of the top of the window, then pull the window out of the door. If desired, you can then remove the vent window by twisting out its three retaining bolts with a wrench and pulling the vent window out of the door.

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How to Repair a Window Channel on a Car

The window channel on a car is where the water runs down and away from the glass. Window channels also help keep water out of the inside of the car. However, the seams in window channels may eventually separate due to the sheet metal flexing. When this happens, reseal the seams in the window channel.

Instructions

1

Clean the window channel with soap and water.

2

Dry the channel with a lint-free towel.

3

Apply a bead of seam sealer to the seams on the window channel. Make sure that you get good coverage on any seams that are showing visible cracks.

4

Smooth the sealer across the seams with your fingers.

5

Allow the seam sealer to dry for at least 24 hours before exposing it to water.

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How to Remove Window Tint Adhesive

Window tint has evolved, and replacing old tint adhesive is a common automotive repair. Old-style tint adhesive that used to turn purple and bubble off the glass has been replaced with longer-lasting films. Removing the old adhesive is actually a simple process; it just takes time and patience. The backyard repairperson can remove tinting film from several windows in about two hours.

Instructions

1

Spray the inside of the window with the ammonia-based cleaner until it is saturated. Normally, it is advised that ammonia cleaners not be used on the inside of tinted windows, because it will detach the film from the glass. The higher the ammonia content of the cleaner, the more it dissolves the tint glue.

2

Separate the film from the glass around the edges. Find the edge of the glass and run the razor between it and the film, spraying the area to induce separation. Ideally, about two inches of separation around all edges of the glass is enough to get a grip on. Realistically, the film will come off in small slivers that will require diligence to peel. What is needed is a "tab", or section of film that can be pulled and sprayed to remove the entire primary film layer. What is left after pulling the film free is a layer of glue that has bonded to the glass over years.

3

Spray a liberal dose of glue cleaner onto the layer of glue left on the glass. Using the towel, rub the glue into "streaks", and then dose the area with more glue cleaner. Eventually, there will be a small glob of glue in one patch, and it can be scraped off with the razor blade. Several globs may occur, but using the towel to apply friction saves time versus trying to scrape the window with the razor alone.

4

Clean with the window cleaner once more. With the glue mostly gone, the ammonia based cleaner should restore the window to a pre-tint state.

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How to Replace the Drivers Side Window on a Volvo XC70

A damaged drivers side window on your Volvo XC70 can put your vehicle at serious risk of being broken in to or even stolen. As a result, if you notice any cracks or breaks in your window, you should probably replace it immediately. You can pick up a replacement drivers side window from your local auto store and perform the repair right at home.

Instructions

1

Enter the drivers seat of your vehicle. Pry open the casing for the electrical window control. Remove the casing and unhook the electrical connector.

2

Use a phillips-head screwdriver to remove the mounting screws on the rubber trim around the edge of the window. Pull the trim away from the window. Remove the mounting bolts black door plate with a wrench. Pull the plate away from the door.

3

Unscrew the mounting bolts that connect the window pane to the window regulator. This will free the window from the frame and allow you to remove it.

4

Lift the window pane out of the frame of the drivers door. Take care not to cut your hand when removing any broken pieces or shards.

5

Insert a new window pane in to the door frame. Fix the window in place by connecting the bolts to the window itself and the window regulator. Reattach the door assembly by following the removal steps in reverse.

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