Lady Feeling the Wind

Window Regulator Failure in Mercedes Cars


By Bavarian Performance Specialists October 13, 2018

It wasn’t that long ago that we were all asking our passengers “could you please be sure to lock your door when you get out?” We all had to use a key to manually unlock the car doors each time, and we all had to crank our windows shut manually. Nowadays, electronic features help eliminate those prior inconveniences all together. Now, we simply click a button and our car unlocks, the engine starts, and the windows roll down automatically. Especially if you drive a Mercedes, then chances are you’ve become accustomed to this easy, effective way of life.

Unfortunately, even these streamlined efforts to bring modern convenience to car design don’t always go over how we plan. Parts fail, require maintenance, and sometimes need to be replaced – this includes parts that help make these modern-day mechanisms work properly. For instance, the window regulator in your Mercedes is what helps the automatic feature perform seamlessly. Window regulators fail, and cause drivers serious inconveniences. If you drive a Mercedes, your car might be prone to window regulator failure; therefore, it’s important to know how to spot failure and what you can do about it.

What is the Window Regulator’s Main Function?

Your car’s window regulator is an important feature for the power windows to work properly. Similarly to manual windows, power windows require the help of a piece or part which helps regulate the up and down maneuvering of the window itself. A window regulator is designed using lots of other smaller pieces, which can fail or malfunction, which usually causes the driver to have to replace the regulator all together. If the window regulator fails, you’ll notice specific signs and symptoms that should alert you to the problem.

Signs that Something Isn’t Quite Right

As with any vehicle malfunction or part failure, there are usually signs leading up to the failure that help signal to the driver that something isn’t working properly and requires attention. Here is what you should be on the lookout for:

Window is Stuck or Off-Track

Of course, when the window regulator encounters issues, it usually means the window won’t roll up or down. If the window seems stuck in one position but you still hear a motorized sound as you push down on the button, the window regulator might be working properly, but the window was knocked off its track somehow. It’s important to have a Mercedes specialist determine what the source of the problem is.

Changes in Window Speed

Window regulators might behave erratically, causing the window to roll up much slower or much quicker than usual. This is a warning sign that the window regulator might be failing or needs adjustment.

Weird Noises Coming From the Window

If a window regulator fails, usually it produces odd sounds, such as grinding or clicking noises. This is usually a later sign indicating that the regulator needs to be replaced, or that the glass is off track.

Window Button Doesn’t Work

Today’s modern technology allows us to simply push the power window button and see immediately that the window responds to our command. Unfortunately, if the window regulator has failed, the button may not perform this task at all. This could be due to an electrical failure, but should be diagnosed by a Mercedes professional.

If you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms of window regulator failure in your own Mercedes, it’s essential to have the problem addressed right away.

Mercedes-Benz on Road

Why It’s Important to Address Window Regulator Failure

Noticing concerning symptoms and following up on them with immediacy is important no matter what type of issue you’re experiencing. When it comes to window regulator issues, they pose a threat to our safety as well as to the everyday convenience of being able to roll down a window quickly and effectively. If you have experienced any issues with your Mercedes’ power windows recently, contact one of the Mercedes experts here at Bavarian Performance Specialists. Serving the areas of Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Malibu, and Newbury Park, CA, we have extensive experience with all Mercedes models, and no problem is too small or too big. To learn more about our shop or to schedule an appointment, feel free to call us directly.

* Mercedes-Benz on Road image credit goes to: kurmyshov.