Window Motor Removal

[packman]

Sorry Miamibob: I had to skidoo early to make a meeting and no internet at home.

The car is a 1986 Crown Vic 4-door 5.0L EFI

The Problem: Window goes down but will only go half way up and then binds. I noticed 2 small aluminum pieces that look like they were mushed in and sheered off of whatever they were holding. I noticed that the bracket that holds the window motor moves with the window gear. I was under the assumption that the motor stays put and the gear moves. I don't know the anatomy of windows, but I'm not sure anything is supposed to move aside from the window gear, the motor that turns it, and the window itself. When I removed the motor to get a better look, the bracket will move out of alignment with the 3 holes in the door panel. When I reinstalled the motor, I had to hold the bracket in place with a screwdriver and then install the motor. I don't remember having to do that last time I switched motors (last summer; rear door). Here are pics of what I found.





Are these the plastic pieces you're referring to? I only found 2 at the bottom of the door.

Packman

[miamibob]

I thought your car was newer and had the regulator that is cable driven. On yours, the motor DOESN'T move as it is bolted to the inside door skin. It's plastic gear moves the metal gear, on the regulator and that moves the window up and down. Not sure how the window is attached to the regulator as I have never had to research it. Usually the motors are good and it is simply the plastic pieces, inside the gear set, that are bad.

[VicCrownVic]

I believe this video:
http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthre...l=1#post615971
covers what miamibob is referring to.

... Usually the motors are good and it is simply the plastic pieces, inside the gear set, that are bad.

[sly]

on the older regulators, if there's a tooth missing, it'll jam up at that point. Only way to really find out is to take them apart and watch everything and see what it's really doing.

That said, if you've replaced the window motor bushings before (or never have and they're probably shredded with little bits everywhere), there may be a broken goober in the gear teeth keeping stuff from turning.

[miamibob]

As was said you need to take apart the gear area of the motor and clean it COMPLETELY. Even if you run it out of the car it may appear fine because it is not under a "load".

[packman]

I tried both motors as I had a replacement in the basement. I knew several years ago that I would probably be back in that door again. Both motors display the same symptoms. I am thinking as you mentioned a few posts ago that the bracket that holds the motor became detached from the inner door skin. There are 2 holes several inches above the window motor access holes that I don't remember seeing before. Perhaps they were rivets of some sort that got mushed and severed? I took Wednesday off to run errands, but I may take another look at the bracket and see if the 2 holes match up with the door skin. I don't think anything is supposed to move except the window slider and gears.


Packman

[packman]

Those were the rivets holding in the window motor bracket. It moved just enough to bind the arm. I bought a variety of stainless 1/4" bolts, washers, nuts, and lock washers. Spent a 1/2 hour getting my fingers behind the panel to get the bolts in place. Everything is A okay Thanks guys


Packman

[miamibob]

What size 1/4" bolts worked best?

[packman]

What size 1/4" bolts worked best?

I found that the 1/4" x 3/4" bolt worked the best. The 1/4" x 1/2" didn't have enough thread sticking through to feel safe.


Packman

[miamibob]

I found that the 1/4" x 3/4" bolt worked the best. The 1/4" x 1/2" didn't have enough thread sticking through to feel safe.


Packman

Thanks! Got to do the passenger motor for the '95 so I'll see what the best fit is. Guess it will happen eventually.....

[miamibob]

I found that the 1/4" x 3/4" bolt worked the best. The 1/4" x 1/2" didn't have enough thread sticking through to feel safe.


Packman

Thanks! Got to do the passenger motor for the '95 so I'll see what the best fit is. Guess it will happen eventually.....

[sly]

in the 95, the motor is sandwiched with the regulator to the door. The "bolts" are actually screws that go into the plastic body of the regulator.

[miamibob]

in the 95, the motor is sandwiched with the regulator to the door. The "bolts" are actually screws that go into the plastic body of the regulator.

Thanks for the info! Had the passenger side door panel off, a few years ago, to replace the factory speakers with aftermarket better ones but never took notice of the window motor setup. Hopefully it will get done before Christmas but the way I am feeling that might slip...