You Should Know This About Your Car Window Regulator
What is Window Regulator?
As the power is supplied
to the electric motor, the window regulator will move the window up and down as
it is a mechanical assembly.
Where is the window Regulator Located?
The window regulators
are usually placed until they stop working. The things that can go wrong with a
window regulator is the breakage of the gear that drives the assembly, the
pulley or the cable might be loose or they can break, the regulator carriage
may no longer be in contact with the window that guides it up and down. Regulators
are fixed to the door so that they cannot be easily removed or changed.
Types Of Window Regulator
There are usually Four types of window regulators. They are:
Scissor Type
- This type of regulator
you can usually see in classic vehicles.
- They are built with
metal components where the main arm is fixed to the window carriage or tray on
one end and a large gear plate that has a gear plate on another end.
- When it is power
operated, an electric motor will turn a worm gear that meshes with those teeth
to move the arms.
- When there is no power
motor, a manual crank will handle the same function.
- Scissor type regulators
will usually fail if the wheels at the ends of the arms wear or breaks off -
that causes the glass to tilt at an angle inside the door.
- When the center hinge
wears between the two bars as they scissor up and down, the complete mechanism
will make noise and the glass will rattle in a sloppy, unpredictable fashion.
Cable Type
- This type of window
regulator is compact in size and makes availability for more room inside the
door for safety beams, airbags, as it contributes less weight to overall fuel
economy,
- Also, the integrated
assembly will reduce the manufacturing cost. But they are more complex than
scissor type.
- A metal track is placed
vertically inside the door panel and it serves as a guide piece as the window
tray slides up and down.
- Few setups have one main
regulator track in the center of the door, based on the design and there is a
track on each side of the glass in other setups.
- There are two smaller
guide rails along window edges in window regulators with one center track so
that it can prevent the window from wobbling during travel.
- In cable type, an
electric motor or manual crank will move the wire cables which travels across a
series of pulley wheels before it connects to a window tray or clamps. Once the
cables are pulled to and for,
- the window will open or
close. Cables bear the weight of the window, and if they break then the glass
will fall into the door panel and get stuck.
- At times, they can be
shredded if the cables run over them at angles.
Manual Window Regulators
- Both the above type of
regulators can be manually operated with a handle sticking through the door
panel so that the up and down movement of the glass window can be controlled.
- These type of manual
window regulators has to be physically rotated so that the door glass can be
raised and lowered.
- When you turn the hand
crank, a plate that supports the glass will lower or raise the window into its
desired position.
Power Window Regulators
- In a power window setup,
a compact electric motor will transfer its motion through worm gear as well as
several spur gears.
- In the end, there will
be a reduction in the gear that permits a small motor to produce more torque to
do the work of moving a heavy window assembly.
- There is a self-locking
function in most worm gears to gear the ratios and angles of contact. This is
the reason why you cannot force a power window to open.
- The component that is
used in modern window regulator assembly is designed to fit with tight
clearances.
- If you don’t clean the
windows periodically to remove tree sap, dirt, and airborne pollutants which
create a sticky film on the glass surface, a significant drag will be formed
and the window will be hard to move up or down.
- This additional stress
will cause warpage and misalignment of metal regulator tracks.
- In a few vehicles, a
window motor that is not functioning can be separated and changed separately
from the window regulator assembly.
- Repairs this type of
window regulator costs less labor as the time and effort involved with
accessing and changing the full regulator assembly is removed.
- The individual power
motors that can be changed separately are a design feature of a scissor-type
window regulator and not the cable type regulators.
- You will see regulators
both with and without motors if your vehicle has this design. Purchase the
right parts!
Purpose Of Window Regulator
A window regulator is a
mechanical assembly behind a door panel that’s responsible for moving a glass
window up or down along a guided track. Basic window regulators which have been
around since enclosed automobiles were first introduced 100 years ago are operated
by a hand crank, and power window regulators use an electric motor to do the
work of moving the glass along its path.
How Does Window Regulator Work?
As you push the electric
button for the window movement to engage, the relay will send a signal to the
motor. The motor will then function on a linear basis so that the up and down
motion is created. The signal is received by the motor and it will break the
circuit to the gears which will then spring into action based on the direction
which is selected for the button to move the window. Some problems with overuse
of the button will end in miscommunication between the relay and the motor.
Hence, as you push the window button, it will not move up. You will have to
then find if the relay switch or the motor is causing an issue.
Frequent Problems Window Regulator
A damaged or broken window
regulator cable will make the window to jam or fall inside. Abnormal noise will
raise due to worn out cable or a frayed window
regulator cable. And this is the same reason, the window will not go up or down.
During cold temperatures, the window may be frozen in a closed position. The
window will separate from the window regulator as you operate the switch.
Symptoms of Bad Window Regulator
Here are a few symptoms
of a faulty window regulator:
- The window will fall
inside the door.
- As the window moves up
and down there will be an abnormal noise.
- The window will open
slowly, maybe jammed or will not close at all.
- The window will slide up
or down crookedly.
- The window will not move
as you press the switch even if the window motor runs.
Tools Needed For Window Regulator
It is said that a
workman is only as good as his tools, and it is definitely true when it comes
to the car bodywork. It is vital to have the right tools to repair your Window
Regulator or else a straightforward job would turn into constant headaches. So that’s
why we have listed out some invaluable tools below which you will need while repairing
your Window Regulator.
- A drill for drilling out the rivets
- A couple of screwdrivers (flat and Philips)
- Some tape
- Pliers
- A hammer and a punch
- A socket wrench and box wrench
- And a magnetic retrieval tool
- A window regulator
- A pop-rivet gun and some rivets
- Bolts/nuts if you can't find a pop-rivet gun big enough
- Some lubricant
Top Brands For Window Regulator
If you know which car parts brand suits the best for your Window
Regulator then it would save a lot of your decision-making time. What we
believe is that picking a particular brand would always be helpful in reducing
the clutter, and at the same time would make it easier for the customers to
find what they are actually looking for. That’s why we have listed out some top
brands for Window Regulator below as follows:
Related Parts For Window Regulator
Do you want to know what are the related parts of the car Window Regulator? Say no more! We are here to help you out. Have a look at Window Regulator related parts below:
- Window Regulator Tape
- Window Regulator Clip
- Window Regulator Rail
- Window Regulator Roller
- Window Regulator Rivet
- Window Regulator Sliding Pivot
- Window Regulator Kit
Total Costs & Repair Times, Effort Window Regulator
There are a lot of
factors that should be considered when you are thinking of replacing Window
Regulator. First, you have to decide that if you require some related parts of
Window Regulator or a whole Window Regulator Then after that the next step is
to decide what type of make as well as the type of Window Regulator you are
actually dealing with and then from where will you get a brand new one. Just
keep in mind that a brand-new Window Regulator which would come from a
warehouse would cost much more than the one you will get in a junkyard. After
that, the next point which should be considered is that from where you are
going to get it replaced and how quickly it needs to be done.
The cost for window
regulator repair lies between $270 to $370 and the approximate labor cost will
be between $80-$100, while the cost of parts is around $190 and $270.
How To Change Window Regulator?
These Are The Following
Steps To Change Window Regulator
Step 1 - Remove Battery
Cable
Turn on the car and
ensure that the window is pushed all the way up. Now turn off the key. Remove
the battery cables by going under the hood and ensure that there are no
accidents while you work with the electrical components.
Step 2 - Remove Door
Panel
Start removing the
screws of the trim panel on the door and that holds the various components. Pry
off the window, lock the switches and the door handle bezel. You will have to
unscrew them out of their housing. As you take them off disconnect them. Some
screws may be hidden around the door and so remove every screw. Do a deep check
before you pry off the door panel. Start from one side by popping the door
panels and then pry the pop rivets out of their housings.
Step 3 - Disconnect
Window Harness
Take off the inner
door's water protector and remove the wires to the window harness. Loose every
screw that holds the window regulator starting from the glass to the regulator
and then to the door.
Step 4 - Remove Window
Regulator
Now remove the window
regulator from the door as the window is held in place by the frame. Both sides
of the regulator have to be folded in and then take it from the door. Separate
the power motor from the regulator by removing the bolts. Until the wire
becomes loose, wiggle the motor. During this procedure, ensure that the cable
does not come off of the spool.
Step 5 - Replace Window
Regulator
Now you can proceed with
the window regulator replacement. Fix the new regulator inside the door place
it correctly. Attach the motor to the regulator in the reverse process of
removing it. Fix the regulator to the door, glass, and top of the regulator.
The water deflector has to be resealed and change the door panel.
Step 6 - Secure Door
Panel
Once you fix the window
regulator secure the panel back to its original place. Start from the side of
the panel and then press the pop rivets back into its original place. Replace
all the screws that you took off while you made the connections to the lights,
switches, and locks. Now fix the battery cable and check your new window
regulator