Power Windows, how to Fix?

[89linkin50]

I've been scratching my head for about 2 months on this one. Three of my power windows will not roll down, only my passenger side front window will roll down. The others seem jammed somehow, and i can't figure out how to get them to release. its an 89 towncar signature series. I'm stumped as to what to do next, the motors click when the switches are pressed, but will not roll the windows down. I'm at my wits End, please help!!!! :mad:

[pro-five-oh]

Make sure that the window tracks are not physically jammed by moving the window up and down by hand...they should move but not very easy.

If you can hear the motors work but they do not move the window, the internal gears are probably shot.

Check the TECH section of this website to see a "how to" on replacing/rebulding the motors. After you do one the other two won't take very long!

Good luck!

[89linkin50]

i would move them by hand if i could, they won't budge at all, i make the suspension on the car compress when i try to push them down. I will check the Tech out though, thanks for the tip!

[Richard J. Parker]

I agree that your nylon gears are shot. You'll have to work at to get the motors out but replacing the gears will be a lot less money than replacing the entire motor assembly. Many auto electric shops can do this also. The link to the Tech article on this is ;) HERE. (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/article5.html)

[ February 21, 2002: Message edited by: Richard J. Parker ]

[FLM]

Try lowering the window with the engine off, while watching your dome light. If it dims while you hold the window switch down, but there is no motor running sound, then the motor is probably bad. Often a cruddy commutator.
If the pegs on the back of the nylon gear in the motors gear case broke, you would hear the motor run sickly like.
Autozone now has Bosch motors reasonably cheap, much better than crappy rebuilts that die after you install them.
Pro-five-oh, are you sure about trying to muscle a window with a good gearcase? I don't see how the nylon gear is going to force the motor's worm gear to turn. Worm gear drives are one-way mechanisms, with the worm do'in the driving. At least all the ones I ever messed with.

[ February 20, 2002: Message edited by: FLM ]

[Nick]

Is it easier to replace the whole window gear assembly, i.e. gears and motor, than just replacing the gears alone? I found someone willing to sell me the whole shebang plus the climate fan motor I need for $40.

[Richard J. Parker]

The hard work is pulling the motor assembly and putting it back in. If the motor assy that you can buy is new, then you are on the right track. If it's used, I don't think I would go to all the trouble of removing and reinstalling a used one without changing the gears.

[Nick]

The gears on my window are stripped, but my motor is fine. So I was wondering if it was easier to replace the gears alone or replace everything, including the motor. The parts are used. Is it better to get new gears?