My 1999 Elantra had no issues with the power windows until last week. We drove from VA to Missouri and through lots of snow and salt on the roads. Since then the window makes a grinding noise almost like there is salt or something down in there. The window went down a little but it will not go back up. </P>


Can salt and such cause Power Windows to go out? I'm going to try a couple of glass places, if nothing else I'll take it to a dealership to get it fixed.</P>


Thanks</P>

 

Well, if none of the windows work then it's unlikely to be salt or
water inside the doors. More likely it's a failure in the power supply
circuit elsewhere in the body.

I would start with the fuse - check the fuse is okay - maybe that shows
on the dash anyway, but check there is power in the door (ie window)
fuse circuit.

From there you have to work over to the doors.

Basically you need to have a look at the wiring circuit to get some
ideas. See if there are any (logic) controls in the circuit that may
have cut it off due to the salt or water (or overloading). It could be
salt inside one of the (door) switches, overloading or even failure in
one of the window motors, or some part of the power supply circuit.

You need a auto electrician but I expect the warranty should cover
it. FInd out what they fix or replace, in case it happens again.

If it's just a fuse however they may charge you.

Cheers

 

From my experience the windows work by having a small gear and a large
(plastic) gear to slow it right down and provide the torque.

Failure of the gears (teeth breaking etc is or was pretty common).
That's probably where the noise came from. So it could be a gear
failure due to the cold and maybe the window freezing tight. What they
have for overload I don't know - but at least it would be a fuse or
thermal cut.

If they had a common fuse that would explain it. They must have all
sorts of things jammed in the windows by kids - including arms - so
some sort of clutch is required too.

I imagine electric windows are a bit of a pain for them under warranty.

Check the fuse then get it over to them.




<edited><editID>SonataJ</editID><editDate>38350.3788888889</editDate></edited>

 

Hi,</P>


Thanks for a reply. Actually it is only the passenger window that is not working now. The rest are not having any issues. </P>


It just seems so weird how it was working before the weather and how it is not working now. </P>


I'm going to call a couple of glass places; worse case I'll call a dealer.</P>


Thanks again for the response</P>