What are Electric Windows?
Effortless glass movement at the touch of a switch
Simplified animation — not to scale.
In plain English
Electric windows replace the old manual wind-up handle with a button or switch that moves the glass up and down automatically. Most cars have controls on the driver's door for all windows, plus individual switches on each passenger door.
"Imagine a small electric winch lifting a flag up a pole. The motor pulls a cable that guides the flag smoothly upward, and when you stop pressing the button, the winch stops. That is exactly how your window glides up and down its tracks."
How it works
When you press the window switch, it completes an electrical circuit that sends power to a small electric motor inside the door panel. This motor drives a gearbox and a cable or scissor mechanism called a regulator, which physically pushes the glass up or down its tracks. Releasing the switch breaks the circuit and the window stops. Many modern cars also have an "auto" feature — press the switch fully and the window travels all the way up or down without you holding it, thanks to a timer circuit that keeps the motor running.
Signs of trouble
- ⚠Window moving slowly or getting stuck halfway
- ⚠Motor making noise but the glass does not move
- ⚠Window dropping into the door on its own
- ⚠Switch not responding or only working from one door
- ⚠Window seal making squeaking or grinding sounds when moving
£70 to £190 per window; driver door often slightly more complex
Always get a written quote. Prices vary by car, region, and parts brand.