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Acura: Why Don't My Power Windows Work?

Tired of dealing with faulty power windows? The good news is that repairing them can easily be done at home.

By Neftali Medina - April 25, 2016
Contributors: Acurazine, Honda-tech

This article applies to the Acura TL, MDX, RDX, and TSX.

Power options serve one basic function: to lessen the effort required to lower and raise the windows. Unfortunately, when an issue occurs throughout the window's circuitry, that function can no longer occur; in fact the system as a whole will sometimes cease to function. This can result in having a window stuck open, closed, or one that works intermittently. There are many things that can cause the system to fail, such as a blown fuse, broken switch, or failed motor. Check out the procedures listed here to repair common issues that can occur with power windows.

Materials Needed

  • Ratchet set
  • Spark tester
  • Multimeter
  • Contact cleaner
  • Pliers
  • Screwdriver

Step 1 – Check the window fuse

A fuse might be blown.

Checking the fuses should be the first diagnostic step you take for any electrical system. A fuse acts as a safeguard that protects the entire circuit from power surges, and if it blows, then the entire system with fail to receive power.

  • Open the interior fuse box.
  • Locate the power window's fuse.
  • Ground the spark tester and check for spark.
  • Replace the fuse if necessary.
Figure 1. This shows the difference between a normal and blown fuse.

Step 2 – Check the window relay

It might be blown.

After the fuse, there is a relay located under the dashboard. If this unit fails, the whole system will also fail to work. Locate the relay and perform the following procedure:

  • Pull the relay from the car.
  • Attach power to the relay.
  • Attach a multimeter to the relay and set it to read ohms.
  • The resistance should read at 1.
Figure 2. Use a multimeter to test the window relay.

Step 3 – Check the window switch

It might be broken.

You know the button the controls whether or not a window will raise or lower? It's the window switch, and sometimes these buttons can fail. If you are experiencing a problem trying to lower all of the windows from the driver's side, first make sure to try each window independently at their specific doors. If all the other window switches work, then you are experiencing a problem with the master switch itself. You can actually repair the unit, as opposed to replacing the entire assembly, by following the procedure listed below:

  • Remove the master switch from the driver's side door panel.
  • Open the switch assembly.
  • Use contact cleaner to remove any buildup from the contact points.
  • Reassemble the window switch.
  • Install it back into your vehicle.
Figure 3. A basic window switch.

Step 4 – Check the window motor

It might be failing.

If the problematic window is central to one side, where both the master switch and normal switches are experiencing issues, then the problem is most likely the motor itself. When the motor fails, your will hear an accompanying whirling noise as the window is trying to be lowered or raised.

  • Remove the door panel assembly.
  • Disconnect the window motor.
  • Remove the motor mounting bolts.
  • Replace the window motor.
Figure 4. A removed window motor.

Step 5 – Reset the windows

The automatic function may need to be relearned.

This solution only applies if your window is not using the automatic function, where it lowers completely down by one quick press. All you have to do is press the window button down, and hold it for two seconds once it is all the way lowered. Then, pull the button upwards and keep it lifted for another two seconds.

Figure 5. Use the switch panel to relearn the window controls.

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