What's wrong with my cars power windows?

Question

I have a 4 door 98 pontiac grand prix se 3.8

I'm having an issue with my power windows.  While they are being lowered or raised, they stop and I have to give it a few minutes...try again... they will lower or raise a bit more...and repeat...till they are fully opened or closed. 

It's not a garaged car and our winter has been "bitterly arctic" to say it politely.  It was bought from a very trusted source and has been very well maintained by both it's previous owner and myself.  Yes, I know that regardless, I've acquired "mystery problems" but it was either that or walk.  I've recently had the master switch on the driver side door replaced.  Prior to that, and during last summer and spring it was just an issue with the driver side window. Easily remedied by not lowering it all the way. It makes no difference if I'm using the master switch or my passengers are using the passenger and rear switches to raise and lower them.  Could this be happening simply due to the cold which has constantly been in the negative temps?  The battery is literally still a mystery as to how old it is.  It's an interstate battery, which I know is a very reliable brand, but I can't make out the dates on it.  I'm planning on getting a new battery, but thankfully, my car has started like a champ in temps as low as -40 right now. Of course, any attempt to lower the windows this time of year is done only after my car is thoroughly warmed up.  They all operate rather slowly, and ive lubed the window "channels."  trying to avoid the extra strain caused during this lovely weather.  Could it be my battery or am I looking at a full round of regulator replacements?  Thanks for any help or advice!

liverhuyen2003 · Accepted Answer

The window motor winding just getting weak due to old age so replacing it will take care of the problem. The 
Motor/ Regulator come together as one unit and cost less than $35 so it's not bad at all.HTH

Edit: Here's one of the link to buy it:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=grand+prix+window+motor+98

Gatsby216 · Answer

If the car is running I am not sure the battery status matters?  Sure get it tested anyway.  Sounds like the window motors are bad. On a 15 year old car in cold climate they just wear out at some point. 
It could the the regulators are worn out. You should be able to take off the passenger door panel, and try to ID the problem. If you need to order parts, you can put the panel in the trunk or in your house, you can drive without the panel, just manually lock the door. 
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Small Business Owner in TX · Answer

Since it fires up OK at very low temps, your battery is still kicking out plenty of cold cranking amps, and the window motors draw far less current than the starter motor -- I doubt that battery is an issue here.  Driver window should wear out first -- it gets opened and closed much more often than the other windows.  Your car is 15 years old -- the motors have every right to be worn out, but before replacing them, please check that the mechanicals are all OK -- lubing the channels is good, but there are cantilevers and gears inside the door, too.  If the windows work when hot wired direct to the motors, the problem is in switches and wiring.

Tim · Answer

Check the battery first at a auto parts store!!! They'll charge it up and run a test on it and show you a print out of whether it's good or not. If it needs replacing....do so! Bet your windows work fine after that!

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What's wrong with my cars power windows?

4 Answers