Sticky Power Window
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Sticky Power Window
Hi:
I have a '94 Aerostar (3.0 Ext 62K miles). The right side power window will not open. I took the door apart 2 times & lubed the tracks (1st time w/ WD40 2nd time w/ Silicone). On both occasions the window worked fine for about 2 days, then would not open anymore. When it is working, it seems fine - no binding etc. It just sticks in the up position after a couple days. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
I have a '94 Aerostar (3.0 Ext 62K miles). The right side power window will not open. I took the door apart 2 times & lubed the tracks (1st time w/ WD40 2nd time w/ Silicone). On both occasions the window worked fine for about 2 days, then would not open anymore. When it is working, it seems fine - no binding etc. It just sticks in the up position after a couple days. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: North of Pittsburgh
Well it's been several years since I replaced the driver side motor. But what I do remember is the unit is held in place by some large rivets that you must drill out. You can replace the rivets with bolts of the proper size i.e. large short bolts. The window needs to be down when unit is removed I think. I don't recommend using a salvage yard motor. Either get a new one at dealer or have the existing one rewound. Replacing the rivets with bolts is tricky. The rivets would be the best way, however the rivet gun that fits those special rivets is at least $80 at NAPA. I had ordered the rivets but returned them. If you havn't removed a door pad before, buy some replacement plastic fastener plugs for Fords. There is always a couple that snap off when pulling the door pad. You can get these at Advance, Autozone, etc. I leased an 1986 Aerostar new and both window motors failed before I turned it in 1990. Water gets inside the door and shorts the motors out. Poor design. My 1991 driver's side motor failed in 1996. The passenger side is weak now when it is cold outside. If I keep the van much longer I will have to replace it too.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Bay Point, Ca
Ditto what xrayjock said, although I replaced both the driver and passenger motor windows on my 89' with no problems replacing the rivets with bolts. I had the same problem with the passenger window not rolling down at times, it seemed to not work when the van got wet (rain,washed,etc.) then it would work again??? So I ignored it until my driver side went out and had to replace it. After I saw how simple it was I checked and pulled out the motor in the other side and found no problem so I replaced the motor and now is working fine, I guess it did not have the power anymore and it was working on and off. A few things to consider on top of what already has been sugessted is :
After you take the trim off use duct tape to cover ALL of the edges of the access area. Otherwise you will get your forearms cut to pieces when your trying to work in there.
Drill those rivets out. I tried to use a punch and hammer as suggested in the haynes manual and almost broke the window with all the pounding!! Replace with bolts.
You can slide the window down after you remove the motor.
I bought the 2 motors at the junk yard for $40.00 a piece. I did not have the money the to buy new then and they have been working fine for a year and a half now. It seems ford uses the same motors for different cars so there's plenty available.
Just my.002 cents:-X04
After you take the trim off use duct tape to cover ALL of the edges of the access area. Otherwise you will get your forearms cut to pieces when your trying to work in there.
Drill those rivets out. I tried to use a punch and hammer as suggested in the haynes manual and almost broke the window with all the pounding!! Replace with bolts.
You can slide the window down after you remove the motor.
I bought the 2 motors at the junk yard for $40.00 a piece. I did not have the money the to buy new then and they have been working fine for a year and a half now. It seems ford uses the same motors for different cars so there's plenty available.
Just my.002 cents:-X04
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock, Ontario
I had the same problem with my window motor and it turned out that the brushes inside had worn down to the point that they were not making contact with the armature. I purchased 2 new brushes (about $5.00 cdn), soldered them in place and the motor works great.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, BC Canada
Wait ! before you rip the motor out. I encountered the same problem. I used silicone but it wasn't enough. I had my van in for my windshield to be replaced and I asked the guy about my problem. He said that this was common for the side tracks to dry out. He sprayed the hell out of both sides with silicone and I never had a problem again. If this doesn't work, then look at the motor.
Trending Topics
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 566
Likes: 5
From: SC
Very likely just a tired motor. Replacement is in order. It's a heck of lot easier to leave the regulator alone and just replace the motor.
Check out your door after you remove the panel. Ford already has one hole exposing one motor bolt. They put "dimples" in the door to indicate the location of the other two. Simply drill the dimples out to about the same size as the first hole, unbolt and replace the motor. Be sure to wedge something inside the door to keep the glass from falling down as you remove the last bolt. Not hard to do and sure beats screwing around with those regulator rivets. If you take your van to the Ford dealer to have this done, rest assured this is the procedure they will use.
Check out your door after you remove the panel. Ford already has one hole exposing one motor bolt. They put "dimples" in the door to indicate the location of the other two. Simply drill the dimples out to about the same size as the first hole, unbolt and replace the motor. Be sure to wedge something inside the door to keep the glass from falling down as you remove the last bolt. Not hard to do and sure beats screwing around with those regulator rivets. If you take your van to the Ford dealer to have this done, rest assured this is the procedure they will use.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Thanks GypsyR:
Perfect solution! I took off the panel & lo & behold the holes were already drilled out! Seems it was replaced once before. Took me all of 15 minutes to replace the motor. Much, much easier than replacing the whole regulator! That's why I took so long to do the job, I was dreading replacing the whole unit ( I've always had bad luck with anything to do with glass).
Perfect solution! I took off the panel & lo & behold the holes were already drilled out! Seems it was replaced once before. Took me all of 15 minutes to replace the motor. Much, much easier than replacing the whole regulator! That's why I took so long to do the job, I was dreading replacing the whole unit ( I've always had bad luck with anything to do with glass).
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I have a 1994 Aerostar E-4WD. Both my passenger side and driver side windows are sticky and slow going up. I always wondered why. Perhaps I will try some of these suggestions before they stop completely. But it might have to wait a few weeks because I am using it next sunday to pull a camper on a 3 hour trip. Thanks very much.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ZachFean
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
22
Nov 25, 2013 12:35 PM
CWO-06250
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
5
Feb 16, 2012 03:47 PM
zowiehowie
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
1
Jun 5, 2005 10:37 AM
