Honda Repair: 1996 Honda Civic Power Windows, civic power, test light


Question
My daughter has a 1996 Honda Civic 4-door with power windows.  All the windows have stopped working, and the driver's side window was stuck in the down position.  After much effort, we got the window up (not sure how my husband did it but he's got it "blocked up" where it won't fall back down).  I called a mechanic and was told that most likely all windows need a motor and regulator at a cost of $350 per window.  YIKES!!  If all windows stopped working at the same time, it doesn't make sense to me that all the motors and regulators just all stopped working at the same moment.  We've checked fuses and they're okay.    We'd be happy just to get the driver's side window working.  We've spent almost $2K in repairs on this car since last June and just can't afford any more.  Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Answer
Laurie, that is ridiculous... $350 per window! Who is this mechanic? On the driver side door panel there is a master switch that controls all windows and power door lock functions. Remove the driver side door panel. Check to see if all plugs have not come loose. Unplug each plug and plug back in. Test with a Test light to see if there is power. Check all fuses with a test light that control the power windows. There is a gray, square, box that has a majority of plugs/wires going into it mounted to the door directly with 1 or 2 10mm bolts. This is probably the problem. Remove this and purchase a new one. Install. Test again. This gray box is the master control box for sending power up/down to all windows. It is highly unlikely that all the regulators quit working at the same time. Let me know if this helps.