Power Window stopped working

[sixseas]

Im helping a friend with a 1997 Taurus. Her power window was intermittent and now stopped working. I opened the door and took at look. It has 12 VDC at the motor plug in forward and reverse wires. I can hear the relay click so assume thats working. After several trys to raise and lower the window couldnt get it to budge at all, but the motor casing was warm so assume the motor coils were energized. I figure the motor needs to be replaced.

Does anyone know if the 4 pop rivet type fasteners that hold the motor mounting plate to the inner door are punch outs or do they have to be drilled out and replaced with bolts? Is there anything tricky about removing and realigning the motor gear from the scissor lift teeth?

[shorod]

Since the motor's getting warm, it sounds more like something's causing the window to bind. I haven't done a window regulator on a Taurus, and it sounds like it's quite a bit different from the Explorers and Lincoln LS. The factory service manual (FSM) would indicate that you do need to drill out the rivets to remove the regulator assembly. The FSM also suggests describes how to change the regulator arm rollers so that sounds to be a common issue.

I'd suggest pulling the regulator and window channel bracket, remove the motor, then see if the regulator operates freely. While you have the motor out, bench test it or reconnect back to the door wiring and see if it runs in both directions.

As for reattaching, the FSM suggests you can use 1/4 nuts and bolts to reattach the window assembly to the regulator (do not exceed 36-61 lb-in torque), but it does mention similar for holding the regulator assembly to the door. You can purchase the rivets for relatively cheap at the dealer if you have a heavy duty rivet tool. The $20 heavy duty rivet tool from Harbor Freight works fine with these.

-Rod

[sixseas]

Thats a big help didnt know if I should drill the rivets out or not. Ill keep an eye open for possible binding as I dig in. Thanks Bob