Front windows won't roll down, sometimes
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Front windows won't roll down, sometimes
I posted this thread in the Expedition form without any luck, so I figured I'd try here as any issue I assume would be on identical
Anyway, just bought an 09 Expedition EL Limited. I ran through every button and function I could find at the dealership and it all worked great.
The next morning I went to roll the driver's window down and it makes a noise like it's going to start, but barely moves - if at all, then stops. Same with the front passenger. Rear windows worked fine. It was freezing and snow-covered at the time.
Yesterday (warmer and sunnier), all windows worked perfectly fine - just like they did at the dealership.
Thoughts? The only thing that changed was the temperature.
The next morning I went to roll the driver's window down and it makes a noise like it's going to start, but barely moves - if at all, then stops. Same with the front passenger. Rear windows worked fine. It was freezing and snow-covered at the time.
Yesterday (warmer and sunnier), all windows worked perfectly fine - just like they did at the dealership.
Thoughts? The only thing that changed was the temperature.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,461
Likes: 724
From: Calgary Canada
A couple of small things could be at work here
1) the grease that lubricated the mechanism is stiffer when cold - Old grease is worse than new grease for some reason.
2) the battery on the vehicle is weak, and is giving much less current when it's cold out
3) the window motor itself is weak or nearing the end of it's life, maybe in combination with the above two items?
Given what a pain in the rear it is to take the door apart and clean/adjust/re-lubricate the mechanism, I'd look at the battery first. The battery situation is easy to test, so that's what I'd start with on any vehicle. Either have it on a charger overnight before you test the windows, or even better, charge it up and get it load tested at your local auto parts store, most will do that for free.
1) the grease that lubricated the mechanism is stiffer when cold - Old grease is worse than new grease for some reason.
2) the battery on the vehicle is weak, and is giving much less current when it's cold out
3) the window motor itself is weak or nearing the end of it's life, maybe in combination with the above two items?
Given what a pain in the rear it is to take the door apart and clean/adjust/re-lubricate the mechanism, I'd look at the battery first. The battery situation is easy to test, so that's what I'd start with on any vehicle. Either have it on a charger overnight before you test the windows, or even better, charge it up and get it load tested at your local auto parts store, most will do that for free.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: SW Iowa
Seventyseven250 is right on the money with his analysis. Older grease loses its viscosity as dust/dirt settle on and into it over the years. Noticed you said freezing rain and snow at the time, if there was some 'ice' and/or then snow on the windows, trying to drag the window down thru the track and wiper seals on the doors would also effect the motors ability to function properly.
A couple of small things could be at work here
1) the grease that lubricated the mechanism is stiffer when cold - Old grease is worse than new grease for some reason.
2) the battery on the vehicle is weak, and is giving much less current when it's cold out
3) the window motor itself is weak or nearing the end of it's life, maybe in combination with the above two items?
The battery situation is easy to test, so that's what I'd start with on any vehicle. Either have it on a charger overnight before you test the windows, or even better, charge it up and get it load tested at your local auto parts store, most will do that for free.
1) the grease that lubricated the mechanism is stiffer when cold - Old grease is worse than new grease for some reason.
2) the battery on the vehicle is weak, and is giving much less current when it's cold out
3) the window motor itself is weak or nearing the end of it's life, maybe in combination with the above two items?
The battery situation is easy to test, so that's what I'd start with on any vehicle. Either have it on a charger overnight before you test the windows, or even better, charge it up and get it load tested at your local auto parts store, most will do that for free.
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