You press the switch and nothing happens. Or worse: the motor whirs away exactly like it’s supposed to, and the glass just sits there, stuck in the one position you didn’t want. Three different parts can cause that, and only one of them is expensive to fix.
Regulator, motor, or switch: which one is actually broken
The motor spins. The regulator is the scissor arm or cable-and-track mechanism that turns that spin into the glass moving up and down. The switch is just the button sending power to the motor in the first place. Any of the three can fail on its own, and the symptom tells you which one before you open a door panel.
- No sound at all when you press the switch. Check the fuse first, then the switch itself. Usually a $5 to $100 fix.
- Motor runs, glass doesn’t move. The regulator’s cable or track has let go. The motor’s fine, it’s just spinning with nothing attached to the glass anymore.
- Grinding or straining, then quiet. The motor’s gears are worn down or already stripped.
That second one surprises people the most. A motor that sounds healthy gets blamed for a regulator problem constantly, and it’s the opposite of what actually needs replacing.
Do this before you book anything
- Try the door’s own switch, not just the master panel on the driver’s door. If one works and the other doesn’t, it’s a wiring or switch fault on one panel, not the whole mechanism.
- Check the fuse box. Your owner’s manual will point you to the one labeled for power windows. Swapping it takes two minutes and costs almost nothing if that’s the whole problem.
- Have someone press the switch while you listen at the door panel. Silence points electrical. Motor noise with no movement points regulator. Grinding points motor.
What each one actually costs to fix
| Part | Typical range, installed | Why the range is wide |
|---|---|---|
| Switch | $20 to $100 | Simple single-button switches are cheap; multi-function panels with lockouts cost more |
| Motor | $150 to $350 | Dealership motors often run two to three times the price of an equivalent aftermarket part |
| Regulator (with motor) | $200 to $450 | Many vehicles sell the two as one sealed assembly, so you replace both even if only the cable snapped |
Those are general Ontario parts-and-labor ranges at a repair shop, not a Low Price Auto Glass quote. Window mechanism repair isn’t auto glass work, which is the part worth being upfront about.
This is where a glass shop and a mechanic split the job
If your window’s stuck because the glass itself cracked or a break-in shattered it, that’s auto glass replacement, and it’s exactly what we do, mobile, same day in most cases. If the glass is intact and it’s the regulator, motor, or switch underneath it, that’s an electrical and mechanical repair, and your regular mechanic or dealership is the right call, not us. It’s fine to ask us anyway. When a break-in also bends the regulator track (it happens more than you’d expect, from someone forcing a jammed window down), we’ll coordinate the glass side and point you toward who handles the rest.
If the glass does need replacing, your exact quote takes two minutes, and we come to you across London and out to Woodstock, Strathroy, and the towns between.
Frequently asked questions
My window makes a grinding noise, then it stops working. What’s wrong?
That’s the motor’s gears wearing out or already stripped, not the switch or the fuse. Expect a motor replacement, not a quick fix.
The motor runs but my glass won’t move. Is the motor dead?
No. That’s almost always the regulator’s cable or track failing. A motor that spins freely under power is rarely the actual problem.
Can I drive with my window stuck down?
Legally, yes. Practically, get it sorted soon. Beyond the rain and theft risk, an open track collects debris that can jam the regulator further. Cover the opening with plastic and tape until you can get it looked at.
Does insurance cover a broken window regulator?
Only if the damage traces back to a covered event, like a break-in or collision. A regulator or motor that just wore out is a mechanical repair you pay for directly, not a comprehensive claim.
Does Low Price Auto Glass fix window regulators and motors?
We handle the glass. If your glass needs replacing too, we’ll coordinate the regulator or motor repair alongside it. If the glass is fine and it’s just the mechanism underneath, that’s a job for a general mechanic, not us.