Power Window Regulator & Motor Repair
When a car window won’t go up, goes down crooked, makes a grinding or clicking noise, or drops into the door, the glass is usually fine — the problem is the window regulator or motor inside the door. We repair and replace both.
Signs your window regulator or motor is failing
- The window moves slowly or stops partway.
- You hear grinding, clicking or popping inside the door.
- The glass tilts or comes off track.
- You hear the motor run but the glass doesn’t move (usually the regulator).
- No sound and no movement (can be the motor).
- The passenger side or rear window is not working while the others do.
Car window fell into the door
On many vehicles the regulator uses a cable; when that cable snaps, the glass can fall down inside the door. Don’t keep pressing the switch. We take the door panel off, recover the glass, replace the regulator and re-set the glass in its tracks. If the glass is undamaged we reuse it; if it broke, we replace it — see our car window replacement page.
Cable vs scissor-type regulators
Cable regulators are common on newer cars and are the ones that snap. Scissor (arm) regulators are heavier and wear at the gears and arms. Either way the fix is a replacement regulator matched to your vehicle, often sold together with the motor.
How to get a car window up for now
If the window is stuck down, press and hold the switch while someone gently helps the glass up by hand from both sides. Once it’s up, don’t use the switch until it’s repaired. If it won’t stay up, cover the opening with heavy plastic and painter’s tape and keep the car out of the rain.
At our shop or at your vehicle
Regulator and motor repair can be done at our shop or by our mobile technicians at your driveway or workplace; same-day is often available. Call (248) 325-5559.
How much does power window regulator repair cost?
Labor is usually $150 to $250, depending on how complex the door is, plus the part. The part price depends on your vehicle and on whether you need the regulator alone or a regulator with the motor attached. We quote the full price — labor and part — before anything is ordered.
Questions about power window regulator repair
Why did my car window fall into the door?
Usually a snapped regulator cable. Many regulators use a cable-and-pulley system, and when the cable fails the glass drops into the door cavity. The glass is often reusable — we recover it, replace the regulator and re-set the glass in its tracks.
Is it the window motor or the regulator?
If you hear the motor run but the glass does not move, the problem is usually the regulator. If there is no sound at all and no movement, it can be the motor. We check both and replace whichever has failed.
Can you fix a window that's off track?
Yes. We re-set the glass in its tracks and replace the worn regulator if that is what caused it to come off. We also inspect the run channels while the door panel is off.
Do you come to me for window regulator repair?
Yes. Regulator and motor repair can be done at our shop or by our mobile technicians at your driveway or workplace. Same-day is often available — call (248) 325-5559.
How much does it cost to fix a car window motor?
Labor is usually $150 to $250, depending on how complex the door is, plus the part. The part price depends on your vehicle and on whether you need the regulator alone or a regulator with the motor attached. We quote the full price — labor and part — before anything is ordered.
How much does window regulator replacement cost?
Labor is usually $150 to $250, depending on how complex the door is, plus the part. The part price depends on your vehicle and on whether you need the regulator alone or a regulator with the motor attached. We quote the full price — labor and part — before anything is ordered.
How much does it cost to fix a car window that fell into the door?
Usually $150 to $250 labor plus the regulator (or regulator with motor). If the glass broke when it fell, the glass is added to the quote. We give you the full price before anything is ordered.
Get a free quote
Tell us what’s happening with your window and we’ll recommend the right fix.