Your Subaru Tribeca’s windows protect you from the elements, and they protect the interior from damage. If your window won’t go up, there are a few common issues that can cause this problem. These include a blown fuse, bad window motor, wiring issues, and the switch.
Power Window Won’t Go Up Causes: Subaru Tribeca
This short troubleshooting guide is written with you needing to get the window up right now in mind.
A tried and true trick to try with a power window that won’t go up is to press your palm against the glass and “help” the window up while pushing the button. If there is any life left in the motor at all, this may be enough to get it back up.
If only the rear windows aren’t working, there is a lock out switch on most vehicles. Make sure that hasn’t been pressed.
Now that we quickly covered the low hanging fruit, here are the common causes for a window that won’t go up in your Tribeca.
1. Wiring/Fuses
Looking to see if your Tribeca blew a fuse is a great place to start. This is particularly true if the window does not seem to have been struggling before it failed to go up.
If all of the windows don’t work, that is going to be a fuse or window relay that has gone bad.
You’ll need to locate the fuse box, and then the power window fuse. It’s pretty easy to tell if a fuse is blown. Here’s a good video (YouTube) on how to tell if a fuse is blown. The easiest way is with a test light. Or, you can pull it and use your eyes to see if it’s blown with a visual inspection.
If the fuse is blown, replacing it will get your power window to go up. If it keeps blowing, you’ll need to figure out what is causing your wiring harness to short out. Here’s a great resource on finding a short (liveabout.com).
2. Window Switch
Your power window switch can go bad. They are exposed to the elements every time that you open the door. They function very simply. There is a 12 volt signal at the switch. It sends that signal to the power window motor.
If you put a voltmeter on it, there should be 12 volts in as long as the key is on, and ±12 volts out when you press the switch.
Here’s a great YouTube video on exactly how to do this from Tom A on how to test the switch and see if the motor is bad.
3. Power Window Motor
Your Subaru Tribeca’s power window motors can and do fail over time. You’ll have to take the door panel off to get to it. A lot of them are riveted in, so be prepared to deal with that. If you’ve verified that it is getting power with a voltmeter, but it is not working, it’s time to get a new one. They aren’t that expensive, it’s just getting them out that can be the challenge.
The motor going bad is almost always a slow process. If it was struggling to go up for a while (think in relation to the speed of the other windows), that’s a really good sign that it’s the window motor itself.
4. Window Guide
The window guide is what guides a window through the door as it goes back up. If it goes bad, then the window can stick.
Conclusion: Tribeca Window Won’t Go Up
If your Subaru Tribeca’s window won’t go up, it’s typically going to be the switch or the motor itself causing the problem. If there is anything that you would like to add, please leave a comment below. Good luck!