What could be wrong with my car window?

[Longhorn]

Yesterday, I tried to put up the power window on the driver's side and it wouldn't budge. The switch made a clicking sound and the other windows worked but that one wouldn't. My husband thought maybe the motor had died since we couldn't hear it trying to raise the window. So this morning, he went out to take a look and see if he could at least get it to stay up until I can get it fixed. He turned on the power and pushed the button and up it went! So for now, it seems to be working.

Any ideas on what might have happened? Something tells me this will happen again! :shrug:

[HamstersFromHell]

1. Three possibilities I can think of

First off would be that the window switch's contacts are burnt and pitted from arcing when the switch is operated. Power windows draw a lot of current across the contacts, making them likely to degrade over time and with use. Repeatedly poking the switch will usually get it to working, but it's only going to repeat doing this until at some point it's inoperable. Either open the switch up and clean the contacts or replace it entirely to fix the problem.

Next thought would be the window bound up a little bit. Most power window circuits use a self-resetting circuit breaker to protect the components. When you tried it, it was bound up a bit and tripped the breaker, and it won't work again until the breaker's had ample time to cool off and reset itself. (Usually several minutes.) That would explain it working later when the hubby tried it.

I'd suggest pulling the door panel and lubricating the window tracks and mechanism at the least to prevent a reoccurance if the window seems "sluggish" in moving compared to the other window(s).

Another less likely scenario is the motor for that window having a bad segment on the commutator (where it stopped), and in closing the door you jarred it enough to move it just enough for the brushes to make contact with a good segment adjacent. The most expensive of all the repairs I've listed, as it'll entail replacing the motor.

Hope this at least gives you an idea of where to look to find the culprit.

[Longhorn]

2. Thanks so much!

I'll pass your suggestions on to my husband and see what he thinks. He can fix it but it's not the best use of his time, if you know what I mean.

:yourock: