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Audi A3: Why is My Power Window Not Working?

Fixing your power window issue may not be as hard as you think. Here are some things that may be causing your power windows to act up.

By Neftali Medina - March 23, 2016

This article applies to the Audi A3 (2003-2016).

A power window is operated by a system of rails called the actuator, a flexible cable regulator that slides the window up and down, and the motor itself, which is operated by the control panel switch. There are a number of problems that can cause your window to fail, and we've taken the liberty to explain the most common causes along with the ways to fix them.

Audi A3: Why is My Power Window Not Working?

Materials Needed

  • Test light
  • Socket set
  • Trim puller
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Replacement parts

Step 1 – Check your fuses

It may be as simple as a blown fuse.

This is by far the easiest thing you can fix. All of the electrical components in your car have fuses that help protect the actual components for accidentally overloading and becoming damaged. If the fuse is indeed blown, all of the windows will stop working.

With the engine running, locate your cabin fuse box and the power window fuse. Use the test light to check the fuse for power at both terminals. If bad, replace the fuse with one of the same amperage and check the windows. Fuse will sometimes blow just because they are old, or because a window motor needed too much power to roll up. If the fuse blows again, you will need to dig deeper into the issues.

Figure 1. Check for blown fuses.

Pro Tip

If the fuse was blown, it is important that you check for a shorted wire somewhere in the system. It usually means there is a bigger problem in the harness.

Step 2 – Check the window switch

The switch may have failed.

If your window is only working intermediately, then there is an issue with the actual switch itself. You can try cleaning the switch with electrical contact cleaner and reinstalling it. If that does not improve the function of the windows, then replace the unit.

Figure 2. Check the window switch and clean the contact if necessary.

Step 3 – Reinitialize the window switch

They just need to be programmed.

Are you experiencing issues with the auto up/down function? Well, you may just need to reinitialize the window switch or each panel. Every time the car battery is removed, the window switches are required to be reprogrammed in order to have the auto-roll down function initiated. To program the switches, do the following:

  • Press the down button for 10 seconds.
  • Press the up button for 10 seconds.
Figure 3. Program auto-roll back onto your car.

Step 4 – Replace your regulator

It may be damaged.

Unfortunately, A3's have a notorious problem with failing regulators. You can usually tell it's the regulator when the window rises and lowers really slowly, with an accompanying binding noise.

  • Roll the window down.
  • Remove your door trim.
  • Disconnect the window switch.
  • Remove the window motor.
  • Remove the speaker cover.
  • Remove the regulator bolts.
  • Slide the regulator out through the speaker compartment.
  • Install the new regulator.
Figure 4. Replace the window regulator.

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