Anyone know anything about cars and electric window faults?

[aspie*mum]

I have a Subaru impreza.  For some reason the drivers window is stuck down about 3 inches.  It wont go up or down.  All the other windows work.

I'm assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that I will need to call an auto electrician about this?  The car has an extended warranty (and although I haven't checked yet) I highly doubt it will cover electric window faults.  I want to avoid going to Subaru as I know they outsource stuff to the auto electrician across the road from them - so want to cut out the middle man if I can.

I know NOTHING about cars or electric windows, but was just wondering if anyone had an idea of how much it will cost to get fixed?  And if an auto electrician is the right person for me to call.

Also any recommendations in Melbourne would be good.

[the_hawk*]

If all other windows are working asb they should and you cant hear any noise coming from within the door when you attempt to operate the window it will most likely be a failed switch or a motor failure.

If its not covered by warranty it will be expensive.

[joz*garage]

the drivers window would get more of a work out then the others so would wear out quicker, could be anything as minimal as a faulty switch (not impressed ahahah

[lakeland27]

i had this yesterday, they all refused to come up. 3 hours later i went out and they all came up. i hate electrical faults.  if you don't want to pay, and its out of warranty... open the door.. brace it with both knees, grasp the glass  with both hands and try and force it up,  this might trash it completely, but it will keep the rain and cats out.

[lakeland27]

but check the fuse and the battery earth terminal and lead first...

[joz*garage]

if you don't want to pay, and its out of warranty... open the door.. brace it with both knees, grasp the glass  with both hands and try and force it up,  this might trash it completely, but it will keep the rain and cats out.

:^O

i think it could be a newish car 9good bush mechanic trick though) i'd pay a bit to make it operate 

[lakeland27]

if you don't want to pay, and its out of warranty... open the door.. brace it with both knees, grasp the glass  with both hands and try and force it up,  this might trash it completely, but it will keep the rain and cats out.

:^O

i think it could be a newish car 9good bush mechanic trick though) i'd pay a bit to make it operate 

but joz, i'd go and buy the parts later and fix it properly. nothing worse than a wet seat and the smell of cat urine in a car.. except for a kilo of prawns under the back seat of course :^O

[josie_q]

Find a friendly independently owned windscreen shop and get them to have a look.  I say friendly, which means steer well clear of the popular company with the blue and yellow vans whose only aim in life appears to be to rip people off, but make you feel like they are doing you a favour.

Find a local.  Someone with a shop, rather than who operates only from a van.  Regulators/ motors can be the issue, but glass can come off the tracks and need to be refitted.  An attempted break in can do it. They can at least advise which it is - electrical or mechanical.

[carls*world]

Cars and electric window faults......

They pretty much go hand in hand really.

Dirty switch contacts are usually the main culprit, followed by burning out motors or broken cable ends (which yours doesn't sound like, as that usually lets them drop to the bottom)

I've tinkered and played with them a lot, right down to doing conversions on cars that never were born with them. Melbourne's a bit far for me though.

[aspie*mum]

Thanks for all the advice.  I'm going to go to the mechanic on the corner tomorrow, I used to take my toyota to him and he's really friendly, and I'll ask him who to go to.  If he can't do it, I'm sure he can recommend someone locally.

I'm hoping it wont be too expensive to fix!  If only if had stopped working with the window fully up!!!!!  grrrr