Windows Stuck in Cold Weather

deltron · January 9, 2004

I just bought a 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 Z71. Its a 4WD Access Cab SLT, really awesome truck. The only problem I have discovered are the power windows! In the cold weather they are permanantly stuck closed. I live in the Northeast and it has been COLD, but I would think the windows would still work.

Anyone else have that problem?

Red2500HD · January 9, 2004

Was this truck recently washed???? Could water have gotten into the seal between the window and the metal? You stated you just bought it. Can you get it into a warm place to see if thawing helps? Did the windows work when you took it for a test drive? Do they "try" to open (can you here the motor running) when you push the down button, or is the motor burned out or a fuse blown?

I live in Minnesota, also with COLD winters, and have noticed only temporary problems after washing my truck. It usually resolves after 1-2 days. If I do the washing, I try to see that the windows are towelled dry before taking it outside.

Do not force the window or you might break the glass or burn out the motor.

Good Luck.

deltron · January 9, 2004

Thanks for the reply Red. The truck was washed a little over a week ago. The windows were dry and opened fine up until yesterday. It was the first day the temp has dropped below freezing. My mirror showed 19 degrees this morning, BRRR!

To answer your question, yes - the windows do 'want' to go down. I can hear them move a very small amount, but they wont budge. If they still dont go down tomorrow morning, I will most likely take the truck back to the dealer since it was GM certified and they give me 3 mo/3000 mile coverage for any problems.

I dont really have a place to thaw the truck out, otherwise I would definitely try that...

Thanks again

frdfandc · January 9, 2004

The problem is that the window run channels (the rubber that the window is guided by) sticks to the window glass. Get yourself a good quality weatherstripping lube. This will help out. My 03 does the same thing unit the windows warm up enough. I have some stuff at work that will fix this problem.

iron_786 · January 9, 2004

i notice the window motors dont have the power that they did in my 92, they dont have the nuts they used too, my father had a 78 buick and the pow/windows in that could crush blocks of ice, my 2002 chev can barley lift the window back up, they make things cheaper and charge more now days, INFLATION they call it.

99silveradoz71 · January 9, 2004

Perhaps try to pour some hot water down the outside of the window to heat things up a bit.

deltron · January 9, 2004

The problem is that the window run channels (the rubber that the window is guided by) sticks to the window glass. Get yourself a good quality weatherstripping lube. This will help out. My 03 does the same thing unit the windows warm up enough. I have some stuff at work that will fix this problem.

this sounds accurate. What do you suggest for weatherstripping lube?

Red2500HD · January 10, 2004

Lube is a good idea. Use anything with a silicon base. DO NOT use WD-40 or any other OIL base product as they will cause the rubber track to deteriorate.

You still need to get the window open. Be real careful using hot water as you can break the glass. Try a hair dryer....slowly at first and concentrate on the channel the glass fits in to. When the window is open, thoroughly wipe the channel dry and then apply the lube.

BTW, 19 degrees up here means we put on a long sleeve shirt. If it gets much colder, we lose the shorts and start looking for a sweater.

01Burb · January 10, 2004

FWIW it happens to me a lot. Once I'm rolling and have the interior warmed up the passenger side window will work.

tmoreau · January 10, 2004

Happened to me at the beginning of this winter and my windows are manual! Had park and walk up to an atm in zero degree weather. I wiped down the inside of the window track the next day (after sitting in the sun) with a paper towel moistened with a spray silicone lubricant. I used just enough to get it on the seal without having it make a mess of my glass. I did the same thing to the door seals too, sucks when you cant open an unlocked door.

frdfandc · January 11, 2004

The problem is that the window run channels (the rubber that the window is guided by) sticks to the window glass. Get yourself a good quality weatherstripping lube. This will help out. My 03 does the same thing unit the windows warm up enough. I have some stuff at work that will fix this problem.

this sounds accurate. What do you suggest for weatherstripping lube?

Well, since I work for a Honda dealer, we use this stuff called "Shinetsu grease" Its specifically made for weatherstripping on windows, doors, moonroofs,ect. This stuff is awsome. Its very pricey for a little tube. Something like 30-40 bucks to the average joe.

redvett · January 11, 2004

The situation is that kids get there heads,arms caught in the power windows. Its not the MFR's fault its the parents fault not training their kid not to play with the switches. Back when my daughter was about 4-5 years old (1980) she would play with the power windows and got SPANKED when she did. Never really had a problem after she understood. But parents nowadays let there kids run them. Have you checked out the new trucks & cars you have to pull up on the switches to run the windows up. What a pain.

99GMCZ71 · January 11, 2004

I've had the same problem. I thought about using silicone also.

GMC5.3 · January 11, 2004

hi ya all,

mine does it too,have manual windows,

seems like its the rubber strip on the outside that freezes to the glass,I just run a key between the glass and the rubber to break it loose.

running the defrost on hi will eventualy warm the windows too,though it will take quite a while when it -25 here.

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2000 GMC 1/2 ton,5.3 at,air,3.73 posi,silver metalic,155000km,

deltron · January 11, 2004

hi ya all,
mine does it too,have manual windows,

seems like its the rubber strip on the outside that freezes to the glass,I just run a key between the glass and the rubber to break it loose.

running the defrost on hi will eventualy warm the windows too,though it will take quite a while when it -25 here.

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2000 GMC 1/2 ton,5.3 at,air,3.73 posi,silver metalic,155000km,

GMC5.3, using a key to separate the weatherstripping doesnt seem to be the most gentile way to do this.. Doesnt the key scratch the bejeezus out of the window? I used a plastic scraper type thing and it seemed to to a good job, although i think I punctured the passenger side weatherstripping, and now the window doesnt go up and down so smoothly anymore.

Oh and I also just realized my horn doesnt work. Could this be another result of sub-freezing temps?