Modern vehicle windows are one of those small automotive features that have come a long way over the years. Vehicles have gone from having no glass windows at all to having tinted windows that can open and close with a push of a button.
But have you ever stopped to wonder what car window mechanism makes the glass go up and down in the first place? Today we’ll be taking a look at car window regulators, how they work, and how you can maintain the ones in your vehicle.
To put it simply, a vehicle window regulator is a mechanical component that raises and lowers the vehicle’s windows.
It’s a part of the power window system and contains an electric motor.
The regulator converts the motor’s rotational movement into linear motion in the automotive window’s glass panes. Essentially, it regulates the window’s opening and closing movements.
But how do modern window regulators work exactly?
When a vehicle’s driver or passenger activates the window switch on its door panel, the switch sends an electric signal to the motor. The motor activates, and the gear assembly inside the door moves the window along an interior track.
The gears and the motor are part of the regulator mechanism on scissor-type regulators. Cable and pulley-type regulators like the one in the photo work a different way. They tend to fail but they aren’t that difficult to replace in most cases.
The track in which the glass travels guides the window and keeps it in the right position as it moves. The entire system allows easy vehicle window control for the car’s passengers and driver.
There are different window regulator types out there. Not all of them operate the same way.
For example, older vehicles don’t have a motor in their window regulators connected to a button. This section will go over the four common window regulator types and how they generally operate.
These types are divided by operation method (manual or electric) and design (scissor-type or cable-type). Operation methods and designs can overlap.
Manual window regulators, also known as mechanical window regulators or “roll-up” regulators, are hand-operated. While these regulators are typically found in older vehicles, there are some newer models that do use them. The base model of the Kia Rio still offers manual windows, as do the Ford Fiesta and Chevrolet Spark base models. The base trim of the Ford F-150 XL offers manual windows as do the RAM 1500 Tradesman and the base Nissan Frontier.
The vehicle passenger or driver has to crank a handle in circles to operate it. By rotating the crank, the regulator will cause spur gears and worm gears inside the vehicle’s door to spin, which in turn moves the internal plates. As this happens, the window will either lower or raise.
Electric or power window regulators rely on a motor connected to a switch that is usually on the door panel but may be on the console or in the center of the dash as on PT Cruisers.
Instead of spinning the gears yourself, the tiny motor in the window does it for you.
Most electric window regulators also connect to a master switch near the driver so they can easily raise and lower different windows as needed. This is also useful for locking out the other windows to keep kids from running the windows up and down for the fun of it.
Scissor-type window regulators come in both manual and electrical versions. They rely on a mechanism that looks a lot like a pair of scissors. This mechanism is made up of two hinged arms, with one arm larger than the other. The larger arm has a plate with gear teeth and there is a heavy spiral spring to assist the motor or crank in lifting the window glass.
Turning the gears in this mechanism causes the window to raise or lower depending on the movement on the larger arm. Scissor-type regulators are usually quite durable given their sturdy metal parts.
Cable-type window regulators are more modern. They have cables running on rollers or pulleys with the window itself situated along a vertical metal track. They’re compact and lightweight and rely entirely on electrical operation.
Sadly, cable-type window regulators tend to be more fragile because the cables wear out more easily from repeated use.
All window regulators are prone to failure as time passes. Even hardy scissor-types can wear down and become loose and noisy or break off, leaving the window to fall into the door or sometimes the window will just fail to lower. This would, for example, make it annoying to do business at a drive-thru in the rain.
Maintaining a window regulator well can help it last much longer.
To start, try to keep the moving parts of your vehicle’s window regulator lubricated. Spray some grease on it using the spray-on grease from your local hardware or automotive store. This will protect the components from rust and help them move against each other more smoothly.
When you can, check the exterior window sweeps and felts, which can be lubricated with silicone grease. Avoid using silicone spray if you can because it may attack the rubber backing for the felt flocked run in which the window glides.
If there’s visible damage, you might also notice that rain, snow, debris, and dirt can enter through the gaps and into the door. These natural elements can wear out a window regulator fast once inside the vehicle’s door.
Keep the window glass tracks properly lubricated as well to keep the glass moving smoothly. The tracks at the front and rear of the window’s sides are most in need of your attention. If the glass somehow gets stuck, it won’t be long before the regulator stops functioning well.
Remember not to force your vehicle’s windows up or down by hand. This can damage the window regulator. Of course, if the regulator is working right, you won’t be able to do this anyway, so there’s that.
If your vehicle’s window regulator is inoperative, it might be time to replace it. Not being able to roll down your windows can be a real inconvenience. Here are a few tips if you decide to proceed with repairs yourself:
The actual window regulator repair process can differ from one vehicle to the next. If you aren’t confident in your DIY abilities, it might be best to bring your vehicle to a trusted auto repair shop.
And there you have it! Now you know what a window regulator is and how it works. The next time you roll down your vehicle windows, you’ll be able to appreciate all the little details behind that convenient automotive feature.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.