Window Problems

[eimrad]

I own a 91 Ford Escort GT. My driver side window is exstreamly hard to raise up. Sometimes the window will not budge. I have broken two window handles. My question is what is the problem because I have read somewhere of someone having the same problem. MY father who owns a 93 wagon has the same problem. And where I could find a new window handle. Thanks

[AzTumbleweed]

You'll have to remove the panel and look. Might just need some grease or something could be bent.

[fantastimo]

eimrad - Your best bet for finding a "new" window handle or any other small parts like that would be to go to a local salvage yard.

AzTumbleweed is right, though, you should just remove the door panel and take a look and see if everything is on the "right track" (pun intended!)

To remove the door panel you'll need to take out the screws holding the armrest on the door handle. There will be plastic rivets holding the panel to the door, just pull it off one by one but be gentle.

[Arnoldtheskier]

Old Escort drivers window instructions:

When using the drivers window..lower it normally.
When raising it..crank the handle with your RIGHT hand UNTIL there is strong resistance.THEN..reaching outside and through the open window..with your left hand..hold the window at the top REALLY securely with your thumb and fingers.As you again start to crank the window up..slide the window either backward or forward(towards the rear or front of the car) until it again becomes easier to crank.and contiue raising it.NOTE:..when there is strong resistance as you continue trying to raise the window it may not be possible to move the window with your hand back and forth.In this case simply lower the window a tiny bit and start from there.Best is to continue to hold the window like this exerting forward or backwards pressure until it is almost at the top.

LOL..ROFL...YESIREE! As the window mechanism cointinues to wear..there WILL come a point where you simply have to hold on to the window in this manner as it gets closer to the top.

That's right!..You WILL end up pinching your fingers..and then probablly ending up in a situation where the finger is extended past the knuckle..YOU GOT IT PONTIAC..you have to wind the window down a bit to get your hand out..HEHEHAHA

Failure to follow the above WILL result at first in broken window cranks.Next you will probablly jam the window so that you can't move it up or down from it's present position.Follows is damage to the track and mechansim.

The original source of the problem is EASY to overlook..it is usualy the fabric type of stuff the window rides in..wears through..and causes the window to snag on it.Thus forcing the window backwards or forwards and jamming it.Sometimes the tracks will rust..rot and flex as you try and wind the window up.Real nice is when the window gets stuck UP..and with repeated fiddling..breaking of handles..stripping..the window is Up..Hey! Guess where the track is??..I know..DOWN.A bump..down comes trackless window.
Smashes.

Go and buy another GOOD door from the bone,Good bones will store their good doors inside..take what you need from it.Trust me..NO bone yard is going to let you take parts from a good door..leaving them with a good door with no..or missing or broken guts.Sure..they will let you gut a bad door..then you will be into the same problem by the time you get both apart.Forget about the dealer cost for this stuff.Take the WHOLE mechanism apart..make sure EVERYTHING is cool..grease the mechanism with a good waterproof grease.