Regardless of its' location, if the chip is a lot bigger than 3 inches than most glass company firms will tell you that you need to replace it. If the chip is smaller than that, it can usually be fixed. The important thing is that you do not get talked into replacing your windshield when it is not necessary. If you suspect that a simple front window repair job would suffice, get at least 3-5 opinions before making the final call.
Once the door panel is removed, the problem may be quite obvious, as it was in my case. Your door may have a vapor barrier or plastic sheet that is glued to the door. Carefully remove this. In most cases, you can reuse the adhesive for the barrier during re-assembly. Make sure the motor is connected. Look for burned wires or obvious damage. If everything is intact, you need to test the motor. The best way to do this is to run a jumper wire from the positive terminal of your battery to the positive side of the motor to see if it jumps to life. If not, the motor needs to be replaced.
PVC and soft top convertibles must be very well inspected for holes, cracks and leaks. Close the roof and turn the car auto glass repair up. Look from the inside out. Light points indicate holes in the material. You could also hose the care down at the car wash. Choose the option without wax or shampoo. Suppose the roof is a sieve, then at least the interior cleaned! Avoid this!
Different kinds of damage to a windscreen can have different consequences. If a pane of auto glass has been totally smashed or deeply cracked, it is most likely that a total replacement will be necessary. However, this kind of severe damage is actually quite uncommon. Typically, the windshield chip repair will have been subtly damaged a long time before it cracks or breaks. Many windshields are composed of two panes separated by an inner layer of plastic. Typically, if both panes are cracked, a replacement is necessary. Surface cracks which affect only the outer layer can be repaired quite easily.
Replacement of any home asset or feature should be a matter of last resort, especially at the end of a renovation or upgrade. However in some cases it can be the difference between a guaranteed sale and thousands in profit.
As you prepare for winter travel, do not neglect your windshield. It is an essential safety feature of your vehicle and should be given the attention it requires. With a little care and maintenance, your windshield should remain in good condition all season.