When your car window is stuck, you’re in one of two situations: frustrated, but not panicking because it’s stuck closed, or about to blow your top because it’s jammed open. The latter is obviously more urgent — especially if you’re trying to lock up for the night, or a rain storm is coming in fast — but any time your car window is stuck you’re going to want to know how to fix the problem as quickly as possible.
Check the Fuse
If your car window opens and closes with a switch, the first thing you should do is check the fuse box. Use the manual to find out which fuse corresponds to your window switch, and see if it needs to be replaced. If it seems to be OK, then you should consult your manual further to see if there is a reset procedure that needs to be performed. This is a fairly common problem with modern coupes, where the windows automatically open and close an inch or so each time you open the door.
Pull It Up
If the fuse looks OK — or if you have a manual crank window that won’t go up — and you need to get the window closed, most of the time you can pull a power window up with your hands. The best way to do this is to press your palms firmly on either side of the glass and slide it up along the frame. Doing this will most likely separate it from the electric motor and frame support, which means you’ll need to use a small piece of rubber to wedge it in place until the door can be taken apart to diagnose the problem.
If you need to get the window down, your options are more limited. If you try to wiggle the glass out of the window frame to slide it down, you risk dropping it to the bottom of the door and damaging it. It’s best to just leave it up until the issue inside the door can be resolved.
Cranks and Motors
Most of the time, when a manual window won’t go up, it’s because the handle has either come off the crank or the glass has loosened from the frame. You can generally replace the clip for the crank without having to remove the door panel — it slides between the panel and the handle — but to check the frame you will have to disassemble the interior of the door. This is also the case when trying to diagnose whether the electric motor is still working, as you must access the wiring connected to the motor to test if it is still receiving power or if there is a short somewhere. If the glass has dropped down into the door, and you need to get the window closed quickly, then opening up the interior panel, raising the glass and wedging it tight is your only real “quick fix” option.
It’s important to remember that glass is one of the most fragile materials in your vehicle. Whatever technique you attempt when trying to fix a jammed window, always be sure to treat the glass gently and with care, to avoid having to deal with a full replacement instead of a simple repair.
Check out all the window parts available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on handling when your car window is stuck, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.
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Source: NAPA Know How