If you lost battery voltage, had your battery replaced, or disconnected any part of the driver’s door master switch you’ll need to reinitialize your automatic windows (if you have a Prius read this too).  The procedure is fairly simple but often overlooked by your local auto mechanic after a battery replacement. If your windows don’t want to roll down or up automatically or the switch is blinking, try this procedure:

Roll the window down half way

Window Initializing Half Way

Window Initializing Half Way

Roll this window down about midway in it’s total travel.  Release the switch.

Close the window by pulling up on the switch and keep holding once it has fully closed

Window Initializing Switch

Window Initializing Switch

Hold the window switch up for 10 seconds.

Check the window for operation

If the window now goes down automatically, repeat the above at each door.

Some rear automatic windows, especially in the RX330, don’t want to initialize regardless of how many times you try these three steps.  In this case CARspec removes the rear switches and swaps them side to side just to initialize.  This works the majority of the time.  Once the windows are initialized the switches are swapped back.

For some window motor or regulator replacements the window must be in a specific position when the motor is reinstalled before it will initialize.  If you have a window from an early 2000s Toyota or Lexus and it won’t initialize or close properly (closes than reopens a bit) you probably installed the motor in the wrong position.  The position differs for each model but is generally around the window’s midpoint. As Eden Prairie and Chanhassen’s Toyota and Lexus specialist repair shop we hope this helps you get your windows back to normal.