It can be very frustrating when your window regulator fails. Either your window is stuck closed making your car secure but giving you an issue when you want to pay at the toll booth or the drive through. Or the window is stuck open; allowing anyone into your car and the rain. It’s funny how it’s always raining when these things happen.
The simple answer to how much does it cost to replace your window regulator is between $125 and $600 depending on the car and who does the repair.
There are several factors which affect the cost.
Cost Of Part
A genuine part from the manufacturer will almost always cost more than a substitute part. This will push the cost up but in many cases the genuine part is a better quality product and will last for longer.
To decide which is best for your specific case you’ll need to consider how old your vehicle is and how long you are likely to keep it for. It’s also worth checking to see if any warranty will be affected by a substitute part.
Labor
An approved dealer is likely to have significantly higher labor charges than the independent garage. Although it can be argued that the dealer knows your vehicle better, a window regulator is a relatively simple repair job.
Any decent independent dealer, automotive window specialist or even a car audio specialist will be able to access your door compartment without damaging the panel and replace the regulator for you.
Providing your vehicle is not still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty you’ll be better off going to the window specialist.
Car Type
The more electronics you have on your car the higher the price of the regulator is likely to be and the more important it will be that it is fitted by a specialist;
The reason for this is that a greater number of cars have electronic components connected to the onboard computer. It will need to be coded in to work properly. A specialist can do this while you won’t be able to do it yourself at home.
The make of your car will also play a part in the cost of your window regulator. Expensive cars such as BMW, Audi and Mercedes tend to have higher prices on their spare parts; there is little you can do about this.
Doing It Yourself
It is possible to do the window regulator yourself. You’ll need to carefully remove the panel on your door and then disconnect any electrics to the regulator before unbolting it and replacing it.
However, if you are not experienced at this you may find it more difficult than it sounds. The regulator needs to be properly positioned in order for the window to go up and down properly. This is especially important if the window is electric.
The best advice is to use an independent window specialist and get the best of both worlds; costs and time.
