The car window regulator, also known as the door window regulator, is the mechanical part that moves your window up and down when the power is supplied to an electric motor, or a steering crank with a manual widow, that moves the window when the crank is turned.
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Window regulators are generally mounted inside of the door panel, where they are not in the way of the driver or the passenger, and kept out of mind until they are no longer working – and you need to determine the overall price of the car window regulator repair cost. The average car window regulator repair cost for this fix is around $270-$370 for window regulator repair, with the labor being around $80 to $100, and the parts cost you between $190 and $270.
Sample Car Window Regulator Repair Costs
Although you already have an idea of how much your car price will run you for some of the local shops in your area or the automotive chains that can provide car window regulator repair, we also have some sample window regulator repair costs for the most popular cars on the market today.
One of the least expensive car window regulator repair options is the Ford Fusion, coming in at an average of $148-$201, with the labor running between $80-$100 and the parts costing you between $70-$101. The second cheapest option is the Ford F-Series, Ford Focus, and the Nissan Altima. All of these makes and models cost around $235 and $281, with the labor running between $96-$123, and the cost of the parts being $139-$166.
The middle of the road options for the car window regulator repair involves the Honda Civic, running between $260 and $460, with the labor costing $175-$222, and the parts running between $90-$240. The next middle of the road prices for sample window regulator repair costs is the Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota Camry, and Toyota Corolla, all costing between $270-$369. The highest price for the same window regulator repair cost is the Honda Accord, with the labor being between $167 and $211, and the cost of the parts running between $169-$258.
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Car Window Regulator Repair Cost Comparison
In order to find out how much you might pay for the car window regulator repair, it is important to see how much each place you might bring your vehicle will cost. There are some main places that you will bring your car to for work – usually your mechanic, Midas, Mr. Tire, NAPA, Walmart, or Amazon.
For your local mechanic, the overall price of the parts and labor for the car window regulator repair cost comes in at between $150-$499, which is a huge gap – this depends on the type of car you have and how extensive the damage is in your vehicle when looking at the total repair cost.
The next place you could bring your vehicle for an estimate of car window regulator repair cost is Midas, ranging between $172-$472. In addition, Mr. Tire can estimate car window regulator repair cost to be between $161-$455, which is the lowest in terms of the high-end price range for the repair cost.
NAPA can estimate car window regulator repair costs for your car will usually range between $159-$160, which is the lowest range and the cheapest service so far. The next option is to bring your vehicle to Walmart, but this is different since you can only pay for parts here. The overall price of the parts for car window regulator repair is $62-$259, while the cost of the parts for Amazon is between $66-$290.
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When to Get Window Regulator Repair?
If the car window regulator has broken, you can tell the parts are faulty, or the window has come loose from the car window regulator, you need to get your car fixed by your mechanic or do it yourself. If the window in your car is loose, it needs to be securely held in place to not fall out or move while driving. This means that the car window regulator needs to be prepared and fixed so that the window can be put back in its place, and the window can be held securely.
Keep in mind that your car in this precarious state can be susceptible to both vandalism and getting broken into since your car window will not be securely held onto. If the car window is not secure, you might not experience a safe and secure vehicle. You can also get wet weather, rain, and other materials stuck inside of your car if the seal with your window is not tight enough, and the car window regulator is not working properly, enhancing the car window regulator repair cost.
Car Window Regulator Repair “How-To” Guide
In order to figure out the total car window regulator repair cost that you might have to pay, it is key to know the steps required to repair this part of your car, how much time it will take, and the parts needed. Let’s see the four main steps you need to do to replace a regulator assembly on automatic windows in your car.
Step 1 – Remove the switch panel
Pry out the switch panel
First, you need to pry out the switch panel and disconnect the connectors in order to sever the electrical connection and begin the window repair. Once this first step in the car window regulator repair is finished, you can move on to the rest of the process.
Remove door trim panel
After this, remove the door trim panel. You can do this by first checking the fuse. If the fuse does not show any signs of wear and tear or damage, then the problem is generally either a bad switch or a motor damaged or a broken regulator. As we know, the car window regulator is the piece that moves the window up and down.
The shop that you take your car to will charge you at least a few hundred dollars for the car window regulator repair cost’s total price. However, you can do the window regulator repair and power window repair on your own if you have the proper tools and knowledge – and you can do it in just a couple of hours! Regulators are easy parts to find and can be found in many shops, available both online and at your local auto body shops and mechanic garages.
All you need is a set of sockets, screwdrivers, a drill, and an online service manual that can provide you the info about your specific car that you will need to follow. This way, you can use the instructions pertaining to your specific vehicle and follow a rough guide to give you an idea of what steps to take.
Remove trim panel fasteners
Start the repair by removing all of the trim panel fasteners so that you access the switch and test the regulators and the faulty parts. Remove the trim panel and remove the vapor barrier, easily done with a trim panel removal tool.
Step 2 – Test the motor connector
Disconnect power connector
After this, get into the door panel and disconnect the power connector to the window motor, connecting your voltmeter’s leads to the connector’s terminals. A voltmeter can measure the electric potential difference between two points within an electrical circuit. Turn the key to the “on” position and turn the switch up and down.
Step 3 – Remove the window
Suppose you have determined that the mechanical switch is good and the part is working. In that case, you will see the voltage reading change, meaning the issue is the car window regulator, which can increase the price of the car window regulator repair cost.
Analyze Voltage Reading
If your meter does not display any readings or how the voltage from the voltmeter, then the issue is the electrical system, showing a problem with the bad switch or broken power or ground wire.
Step 4 – Replace the regulator
After these steps have been taken, you can remove the glass by tilting it away and lifting it out. Then, remove the regulator bolts or the rivets to prepare the new car window regulator’s space. Bolt the car window regulator in place and reinstall the motor and window switch electrical connectors and window glass, testing the bolts and tightening everything.
Car Window Repair Steps
To figure out how much the car window regulator repair cost will run you, you need to determine how much it will cost to repair an electric window. In order to do this, there are a few steps that you can take to determine the overall cost of the repair.
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Identify the Fault
First, you will need to identify the fault, which you can do by seeing that the electric windows are failing to operate. If you notice that every window in your car is not working, this probably has to do with the electric circuit, since it is a widespread issue. If this problem only occurs on just one window or two windows, then this could be due to the motor problem. If you hear the motor operating, but the window is not moving, then the issue was with the mechanical system’s linkage. The slow and jerky operating of the windows is also a problem with the mechanical components.
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Check the Fuse
Next, you need to check the fuse. Most windows are protected by a fuse or a cutout in the supply line, which can be the first place to check to see the problem if the windows are not operating correctly. In some cars, the fuse is the main fuse box, but many makers use in-line fuses, so you have to check with your manual to check the fuse and determine the car window regulator repair cost.
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Test the Power Supply
Next, test the power supply check. The power given to your window circuits is usually given a large battery through a relay actuated by turning the ignition on. You can find the location of the relay position from your car handbook or your local mechanic. With the ignition turned on, check for a current to see if there are any issues.
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Check Electrical Circuits
Furthermore, check the electrical circuits to ensure all is working well. To continue checking, you can remove the door trim so you can get at the motor. You might need to remove the plastic condensation sheet from the opening in the inner door, which will need to be pulled off.
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Analyze Power Supply Wires
Once you have access to the motor, make sure you analyze both the power supply wires that are leading from the switch and the control switch itself. If you see that the current is in both wires and the motor, make sure you check to see where the issue is originating from. To check the switches and the wiring, use the test lamp to see each connection. Once this step has been completed, you have finished the necessary steps in the car window regulator repair in your vehicle.
Conclusion
If you have found that you do not want to pay the car window regulator repair cost, you can figure out the best way to sell your car for the most money. If you have tried to sell your vehicle at a local shop by your house, then the most effective method for you to get cash in hand FAST is to go online and look at Cash Cars Buyer.
Sometimes, fixing the car window regulator and doing the car window regulator repair will not fix all of your car’s issues. If you have other issues affected by the car window regulator repair, it might not be worth it to pay for the fix. You will want to see if it is worth it to sell your vehicle based on the condition, and how you can sell your car to Cash Cars Buyer for the most money.