If the electric window on your car is stuck, you do not need to go to repair. You can fix it yourself. Here are three practical steps to do this.

When one of your windows is stuck, the first thing to check is a fuse. If everything is okay with it, the problem may lie in a faulty switch, motor, or a faulty regulator (a device that raises and lowers the glass). For this job, you will need a voltmeter, a basic set of metric connectors, a screwdriver, a drill, and, most importantly, a subscription to an online service guide. This subscription allows you to download instructions and charts specific to your car. The tips given in this article are good as an approximate guide, but you should also use the guide for your particular car to take into account its specificity.

Step 1. Remove the finish

First remove all panel fasteners to access the switch for testing. Remove the panel and clean the vapor barrier. Panel removal tool is cheap and saves you a lot of time.

Step 2. Test with a voltmeter

Disconnect the power plug from the window motor. Do not forget to wear gloves to protect! Connect the leads of your voltmeter to the two terminals of the connector. Turn the key to the “on” position, and push the window switch up and down. If the switch is OK, you will see a change in voltage from 12 volts to minus 12 volts. This means that the problem is the motor or the regulator. If your meter does not display these readings, you have a bad switch or a ground wire is broken. Load the circuitry and check the power and ground wires leading to the switch to isolate the problem.

See also: Preparing a car for the winter with your own hands

Step 3. Replace the old regulator.

If you need to remove the window adjuster, you must first remove the glass. Unscrew the glass from the door and remove it. Then remove the adjuster bolts or rivets. Remove these bolts and pass the old regulator through one of the holes in the door panel. Repeat this procedure in reverse order to install a new controller. Secure the new regulator in place, and then reinstall the electrical connectors of the electric motor and window regulator, as well as the window glass. Check the window for proper operation. If the glass is slow, you may have to loosen the bolts and make minor adjustments to the regulator. Then tighten everything, replace the vapor barrier and trim panel.

Keep it on hand to use it the next time you need to fix a stuck window.