1991 Explorer power window problems

My dad has an old Explorer. He's not all that mechanically inclined. The power windows don't go up or down on any of the windows. The motor is running though. He took off the door panels, but couldn't figure out how to get to where the motor is?

He thought it might be a a plastic gear that had worn out? Just checking to see if that sounds right and how to tell him to get to it.

Thanks for your help!

Jennifer

He can hear the power window motors running on all four doors, but none of the windows work? Did they all stop working at the same time? That would seem unusual.

If he definitely is hearing the power window motor running, the power window regulator is probably the culprit. Unfortunately, he won't have much luck finding just the plastic piece, but rather will need to purchase an entire window regulator assembly. Or, commission someone to mill a replacement piece out of some material.

-Rod

Hi Rod,

Well, he says that the front windows stopped first. Now it's all of them doing it. He says that you can hear the motor running and that you can tell that it's trying to make them work.

If it's the assembly then how does he get to that? He said he took off the door panel and could not tell how to get to it.

Thanks a bunch!

With the door panel removed, he'll need to remove the plastic splash shield/vapor barrier as wells. With that removed, the track for the window regulator should go down the middle of the door and be bolted to the stamped steel inner door. I'm not sure how the window is attached to the regulator assembly on the 1991, but he'll need to undo the window and remove the window from the door as well. This can usually be done by just tilting the front of the window down into the door, then lifting the glass through the window opening. Now unbolt the regulator assembly and disconnect the electrical connection from the motor. The regulator assembly should snake out one of the cutouts in the inner door with the motor still attached.

These are generic directions for pretty much any domestic car with power windows. Some of the German car doors are quite a bit trickier (VW for one), and I've never done one on an Asian car.

-Rod