Power windows weak or not working.. - Honda Prelude Forum

DaytonaPrelude · 10-29-2008, 02:39 PM

My drivers side window has been going up slower and slower, it seems like either the motor is weaker or it is rubbing against something. It has gotten so bad that I have to help it sometimes, and the speed doesn't increase, helping it just keeps it moving.

This morning is the coldest it has been in Florida yet this year, it got below 40 degrees, and a problem happened similar to a few weeks ago, and I am wondering if it has anything to do with the cold. It was wet out then, and I can't remember if it was a little cold.

A few weeks ago I tried to roll my drivers side window down, and it got down partway and stopped. After it stopped NEITHER power window would make any noise or move at all. I played my stereo a bit and it worked, so I figured my subwoofers were just messing with a loose wire. That same day it started and stopped working a few times. My friend and I removed the door panel, the harness was not loose, no exposed wires or shorts.. it seemed fine. There was excessive moisture in the door(I don't know why), I assumed that was the cause.It has been fine since then, other than being VERY weak at going up and down.

Well, it was fine until this morning.. there hasn't been any really recent rain, so I doubt moisture is the cause.. at least from puddles or rain. It was just really cold. I pushed the button for the window to go down, it made a momentary noise, and stopped. Just like before, neither window will go down, and didn't the whole time I was driving to work this morning. Not sure if it will work when I leave in 20 minutes.

The passenger window seems fine(the rest of the time), and when I bought the car 4 months ago the drivers side appeared fine also.. there is tint that seems like maybe it could be sticking causing it to go slowly when it does work, but when I help it, it doesn't increase its speed.

I know this is an essay, but maybe some detail I included will be a cause someone else has dealt with before. Rain, cold, deteriorating tint.. I don't know. A fuse? Condensation from the cold or rain? Why would both windows stop working? It is going to drive me crazy. When I was smoking this morning I had the sunroof open.. if it was raining, that would have sucked.

Any ideas or things I could try BEFORE just buying a new motor. I would hate to buy something and find out it is the switch, or a fuse.. I am

Solid · 10-29-2008, 03:03 PM

You can try greasing the rubber, but sounds like the window may be slightly off track. Sound like the motor is on its way out.

Rodmunch · 10-29-2008, 04:06 PM

Try spraying silicone lube in an aerosol can down both the front and rear window tracks/guides.
You can get it at any auto parts store.

This helped me in an older car tremendously. The window would act just like yours in cold weather...would hardly roll up or down. I haven't had to do it on my Prelude yet.

hnguy4 · 10-29-2008, 04:18 PM

My driver side window is like that, and at some points wouldn't go up all the way until I found out the vertical weather stripping was getting in the way..it's still pretty slow but the rain actually helps it..I think mine just need to be greased up..I was gonna get some shin-etzu grease from HandA but I think i'll just try silicone lube.

DaytonaPrelude · 10-30-2008, 06:09 AM

That sounds like a few good things to try.. and yeah, I think the motor is on the way out also. Why is it when the drivers side window stops working all together like it has 2 different times now, the passenger side also stops working? That would make me think the switch is bad.. or maybe something wiring.

If I do end up getting a new window motor, where would be the cheapest place? Buy from someone on here? I am as broke as broke gets, but I can't afford to have the motor die with the window down.. so a cheap fix is what I need most.