2000 Windstar driver window doesnt work.

[Twons]

We also have a 2000 Windstar that I have to tear open tomorrow and figure out this same issue on the driver side. There is definitely a relay ticking at the location of each of the 4 powered windows but it really only can be heard in a quiet environment when trying to close an already closed window or when opening an already open window, presumably because the motor noise of a moving window covers up the relay tick sound. The only difference with my driver side window (that is stuck in the full down position right now) is that there is no relay tick when trying to close the window, this leads me to believe there is a dead spot on the switch, or the relay has partially malfunctioned, but we'll see...

Regarding all the Ford comments on this model, we have been told by a couple of mechanics that this model was actually manufactured by Nissan (for some reason I always think it's Mitsubishi, but it's really Nissan). Apparently Nissan already had the model in it's pipeline during the late 90's at a point when Ford started the process of re-engineering it's minivan offering. Ford made a deal with Nissan to re-brand their product rather than leave a hole in their product line. Not sure when they started the deal but I guess they did this until the '03 model before dropping it, skipping the minivan segment for a year and adding the "Freestar" in '05.

[65val]

My 1999 has this problem. I removed the plastic door panel to reveal the window motor. Tapped it a few times and it worked fine...for a while, then quit again. This time I removed the motor from the regulator. Ford is nice enough to provide 2 dimples in the inner door structure which you drill out with a 1/2" drill to reveal the motor mounting screws...no need to remove the rivetted-in-place regulator to do this. I disassembled the motor and used some electronic contact cleaning solution on the commutator/brushes and its working again....don't know for how long. If I need to replace the motor, it can now be done using a 1/4" drive/7mm socket to get to the mounting screws. So much easier than a GM product I used to have.

[tomj76]

Check the GEM module. This controls the window motor relay. My '96 Windstar had a problem with the GEM where the window would sometimes not work, but other times it would move like normal. Whenever the window would not operate, my rear window defogger also would not work. I fixed the GEM, and eliminated the problem.

[65val]

Originally Posted by tomj76

Check the GEM module. This controls the window motor relay. My '96 Windstar had a problem with the GEM where the window would sometimes not work, but other times it would move like normal. Whenever the window would not operate, my rear window defogger also would not work. I fixed the GEM, and eliminated the problem.

Tom...I don't think thats my problem as a light tap on the motor gets it going again. Rear window defog has no issues.

[tomj76]

I see your point. It could be that the motor is on its last leg... the brushes eventually wear out of those things. Did you notice if the length of the remaining brush material? Remember that the spring won't press the brush against the communtator as tightly, which leads to more sparking which "burns" the contacts and can leave dead spots.

It may be a long shot, but you may just have a bad contact at the electrical connector.

[65val]

Originally Posted by tomj76

I see your point. It could be that the motor is on its last leg... the brushes eventually wear out of those things. Did you notice if the length of the remaining brush material? Remember that the spring won't press the brush against the communtator as tightly, which leads to more sparking which "burns" the contacts and can leave dead spots.

It may be a long shot, but you may just have a bad contact at the electrical connector.

I didn't get the motor that far apart...I just got it separated from the gear system, then squirted some electrical contact cleaner at the comm. and brushes...it's working correctly now, and has been for the last 2 weeks or so...hopefully stays that way!!

A faulty electrical connector is a possibility...if it quits again, I'll check that first. Thanks for the tip.

[uzzo2]

Here is a very good tutorial on the window motor replacement by wiswind.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...r+window+motor