Hello fellow members, I have an '05 Scion xB that has an issue that I can't always replicate but it happens more often than not, especially when it's warm out. The car has automatic windows and when I push the auto window button on the driver's side to roll the window down, it goes down all the way, no problem. Then when I want to roll it back up, it'll go a few inches up and then stop dead. I mean, completely dead. Not slow, not staggered... nothing. The only way to get it back up is by waiting a few seconds or more and pulling the window button up and it might go an inch or two. It's a huge pain in the butt!! Sometimes, I'll push the window up as I'm pulling up on the window button and that'll assist it upwards but it doesn't always want to go. On an alternate mode, if I hold the window button down until it goes to the bottom, I can usually get the window back up without any issues.. It seems to mostly happen when i used the automatic roll down feature.

Some quick tidbits about the car. It was involved in what appears to have been a front driver's side collision that deemed it a salvage title. I bought it as it was in March 2016 as it had been fixed pretty well, thereafter. I bought it at 86k miles and it currently has close to 115k and it has had no issues besides basic car maintenance (oil changes, brakes, axles, belts, etc) that have all been done by myself or my personal mechanic. The windows issue has been happening since shortly after I purchased it but since it's so erratic, I don't know what the issue could be. Any ideas?

 

I left you a PM with part and installation info. The install link is for a 2nd generation xB. (Had trouble finding a 1st gen that wasn't gobbledy____.)

Good luck with the repair.

 

I've had this happen in previous vehicles, and while I'm not sure if it's the same it's worth a try. The fix was to go to the passenger side and use that control to roll up the window with the switch and then keep holding the switch until you hear 3 clicks from the motor, then release and the problem has been fixed. It works on Hondas and Mazda's, haven't needed to try it on Toyota yet.

 

That works good to reset the window after reconnecting the negative battery cable. Follow_The_Sun's problem sounds like a bad regulator and or motor. A bad switch is possible however the few-inches-up problem sounds like a classic regulator and or motor malfunction.

 

Could be, the part that throws me is that it will stop working then start working again. When I've had regulators/motors go out the problem is all the time. Wondering if it just needs to be reset. Either way it's a free test the OP can do that might help.

 

Good call. I like free.

 

Just a heads up. I finally got the damned window fixed! I was just being super lazy. Ended up purchasing a new regulator with motor. Had it installed and it did the trick. Works great! Thanks for the advice @62Fender 🤘🤘

 

My 2005 has been doing this since 2012. It first happened at the Toyota dealer and I was freaking out. The tech told me to wait a few seconds and try again. It moved two inches at a time just as you described! Obviously, the dealer tech knew this was a problem, but Scion refuses to make it a 'recall' problem even though other years are a recall. Scion says it can cause a fire, however on our model it can't??? I have found another work around-start moving/driving and then the window will go halfway up. I let it set for a second and push it again to go completely up. I know this post is years too late, but who knows, it may help someone else.

 

Have you tried lubing the window tracks with silicone spray?

 

I have not. I felt it was the motor or regulator. Yesterday at my PA inspection, yes, our county still demands yearly inspections, the inspector passed my vehicle, but said, "you are going to need a regulator on your driver's window." When I told him how long it has been happening and how the dealer tech responded in 2012, he agreed it had to be a known problem. When I told the inspector my trick of getting the car moving a bit and then the window comes right up, the inspector said, "maybe its the voltage."