Window Motor/Regulator Windstar 1999

[smata67]

It's something different every weekend...

My motor "clicks" when you press the button and I'm getting voltage, so it may very well be the motor. I found this item, combination motor/regulator by Dorman for only $50 through Amazon.

Is this the way to go? How difficult is it to install this thing in the door, doesn't look like it will fit through anywhere.

Dorman 741-870

http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-Solutio.../dp/B000TYTSG4

[tomj76]

A little confusion at first, but after checking your link I see you're talking about the window motor.

When you say the motor is getting voltage, is that the voltage across the two motor wires, or only one? It's important that there is a voltage difference (12 volts) between the two when the button is pushed. If both wires are at the same voltage, then the motor won't work. It only works if one wire is 12 volts while the other wire is at 0 volts.

If you have the voltage, and the window doesn't move, it's probably the motor, but it could also be mechanical. The motor could be burned out. One check you can do is measure the resistance between the two terminals of the motor with the wires disconnected. It should be low, less than 2 ohms. If it's higher than 100 ohms then the motor is toast. In between and it's probably toast.

Changing a window motor is very doable. It can be a bit of a chinese puzzle to get every everything disconnected and then sneak it all through the openings.

[smata67]

I'm getting 12v power and the resistance is 1.2 ohm. I'm hearing clicking at the motor, I think it may be shorted a bit, drawing too much current, and there is a breaker in there cutting things off. This product in the link is a regulator/motor assy, I just don't see how this thing could be slipped into the door.

[tomj76]

I'd check that the window mechanism isn't binding or anything. If you don't find anything, remove the motor and see if it runs in both directions without a load. It should have a noticable "kick" when it turns on. If it doesn't turn or turns slowly it could be shorted, but it could also be a bad bushing in the motor or some other fault.

I don't know about Ford window motors, but my old GM vehicle (20 yrs) uses motors that contain a positive temperature cooefficient (PTC) device to protect the motor. The device is placed in series with the motor windings to prevent the windings from overheating. The PTC increases it's resistance 100x when it's hot. Over time GM window motors lose their ability to lift the window quickly. I think the reason is that the PTC degrads to where it "protects" the motor from operating properly. This is all internal to the motor. (i.e. not normally servicable) It doesn't sound like this is your problem, but a motor turns only suggishly could be caused by this.

[imnprsd]

My LH window does not work on my 2000 Ford Windstar Van, and I hear a clicking noise. How can I fix it?

You should always check to fuses first, but if your window does not work and you hear a click (after pressing the window switch up or down) and it’s coming from a Front Electronic Module (aka FEM, that shiny metal box under the dash right next to the fuse box on the driver’s side) then you probably have a faulty window motor and you don’t have a bad fuse or bad relay and certainly not a bad FEM.

When the motor goes bad it creates an open circuit and you hear a clicking sound. You probably should replace the window motor, but it’s real pain. So the other temporary fix (if it works) is to bang on the motor and remove and then reinstall the power clip.

Banging may free up the motor bushings and removing and reinstalling the electrical leads may remove oxidation built up on the contacts. You can try this first and if it works you may be able to put off buying a new motor for a week or a year.

Note: To remove the door cover there are two 8mm screws at the bottom and two 8mm screws on the door handle. There also maybe one screw behind the black cover up high and to the right next to the window, hidden. Just remove the screws and man-handle the door skin upward. Good luck. This process will take 30 minutes or less. But if you have to replace the motor that’s a good 1.5-2hrs.

[smata67]

I ended up getting that Dorman part and it has worked flawlessly for the last two years. I completely forgot that I even did it until I came across this old post.