Power windows are not working

Power windows pretty much come standard on all new vehicles, and they are usually pretty durable, but sometimes they will fail. The window will go down but not back up, or all you hear is a clicking or grinding noise noise when you press the control switch. Or when you press the Power window switch, you get nothing. These are two separate problems, and knowing the difference is the first step in diagnosing any power window or power window switch problem. If you press the power window switch and all you hear is a grinding or clicking noise, or the window acts like it wants to move, then stops and makes noises, then chances are you have a mechanical failure and will probably need to replace the power window regulator or motor. If you press the motor and hear nothing or the window does nothing, then you may have a Blown fuse or an open or short in the wiring circuit that supplies the power window circuitCheck the fuse first. Refer to your owner’s manual for the location of the fuse panel (usually located under the dash on the driver side, on the driver’s side kick panel, or on a side panel in the center console. Locate the numbered fuse that corresponds to the power window circuit, then pull out the fuse to see if the wire inside has burned through or is broken.If the fuse has blown, there is either a short or an overload in the power window circuit. Try replacing the blown fuse with a new one (make sure it has the SAME amp rating as the original, not lower, not higher). Then turn the ignition key on and try to lower one of the power windows.If the new fuse blows immediately, there is a short in the wiring that will have to be found and fixed. DO NOT try to install a higher amp fuse or bypass the fuse for the power window circuit, as this is your only protection against a dangerous overload that could start an electrical fire!If the windows work, it may have been a temporarily overload that caused the fuse to blow. Trying to lower a window that is frozen shut in the wintertime can do this and/or break the window mechanism inside the door.If the fuse is okay, there may be a break in the wiring that routes power to the power window motors and switches. You’ll probably need to look up a wiring harness diagram for your vehicle to identify and trace the wires in the circuit.For more information on diagnosing Power window problems, please go here for step by step instructions on finding out why your power windows will not go up or down.