Window Regulator Motor Replacement
What is a door window motor?
On vehicles equipped with power windows, the door window motor operates the window regulator, which is the mechanism that raises and lowers the door window glass.
How does the door window motor work?
The electric window motor on older cars featured an electrical circuit that was activated by pressing the window switch in the passenger compartment. When the switch was pressed, an electrical circuit would close and operate the motor. Modern vehicles employ an electronic signal originating from an onboard computer (electronic control unit, or ECU) to trigger the window motor. In addition to being actuated by the window switch, newer systems also allow the window to be controlled by a signal from the key fob.
Due to a failing door window motor, the window may not open or close. It could also work intermittently.
Problems with power windows are commonly caused by faults in the switches or wiring. The switches and wiring should be checked thoroughly before replacing a window motor.
What are the symptoms related to a bad door window motor?
If the door window motor fails, the window may not open or close, or it may operate intermittently. Traditionally, problems with power windows were caused by faulty switches or electrical wiring - especially the wires running between the door and the vehicle body that are subjected to repeated flexing. In these cases, the window might operate intermittently when the door is opened and closed. While this may still be the case on newer cars, it is increasingly common to find window motor problems that originate with a control module. Still, the switches and wiring should be checked thoroughly before replacing a window motor.