This 2000 Ford Windstar came in with a driver’s power window inop. I did a quick test and found that the motor was bad. The quick test consists of turning the key on with the engine off. Then move the switch for the window in question up and down. While doing this look at the lights on the dash. If they dim slightly with each push of the switch it quickly confirms that the motor is getting power and ground in both directions. If it only dims in one direction more than likely the switch is faulty.
Anyways I knew the motor was faulty so I started removing the door panel. First I lifted the switch panel from the door. Hopefully you can see the spring clip that holds the panel to the door.
Next I pulled the interior handle trim plate out of the door. Pry the forward edge out and then slide the whole thing forward.
There are two 7 mm headed screws at either end of the interior pull handle.
There are two more screws along the lower door panel edge.
Next I unsnapped the upper triangle shaped cover from the door.
One more screw behind that panel.
Now the panel will slide up and off of the door. Make sure to disconnect the courtesy light from the panel.
Carefully remove the the foam insulated moisture barrier from the door. Just pull it a little at a time until it pulls loose.
Now we can see the motor, kind of. The red and yellow wires connect to the window motor. The nut is one of the fasteners for the motor and the other two bolts are behind the metal panel. Thankfully Ford almost always puts dimples in the panel to let mechanics know where to drill in order to remove the screws.
I started with a small drill bit and worked my way up to a half inch bit. The hole needs to be large enough for a 5/16″ or 8 mm socket to go through.
The holes are now large enough and I have removed the two screws. Next I removed the nut.
Then I loosened the stud so that the motor would come free. The stud stays in the hole.
The stud has a torx head as shown below.
I lined the stud up with the appropriate hole in the replacement motor and snugged it up. I left it loose enough so that I could rotate the motor around to line up the other two screw holes.
With everything back in place I vacuumed the metal shavings out of the inside of the door and sprayed some paint on the exposed metal.
I put the remaining parts back on in the reverse order.
Care should always be taken when working with a spring loaded window regulator assembly. Make sure there is no damage to the door or the regulator mounts. As long as there are no other issues the spring should not be a problem. Keep in mind that it is a helper spring for lifting the window glass. It is always under pressure as long as all of the parts are secure. Less pressure with the window glass up and much more with the window glass down. My trick if you would like to call it that is that the motor fasteners are loosened and removed. Then using a large screw driver or hammer handle I push the window motor loose. Keeping my hands and fingers away from danger. One the motor is free of the regulator the spring works to keep everything in place and stationary. I hope this answer your question.
Sparky
What about the spring that’s located inside the door panel. Do you need to prop up the window with something so the spring doesn’t disengage?
There are two different types of OEM motors. One with a plastic gear housing and one with an aluminum gear housing. This procedure works with both OEM designs. Of course, if the entire regulator and motor assembly has been changed to an aftermarket part, then you are absolutely correct. The entire assembly will have to be changed as there are no replacement component parts for the aftermarket designs. Thanks for pointing that out, as it may help others.
You need to what type lift motor is in the Windstar. If original, this will only work only with an Aluminum gear replacement. After markets replacements do not fit, so do not use this procedure. You should use a regulator/motor kit and drill out the rivets.
Thank you for the pics and details. It was my first time to replace a window motor and your guide made my job much easier. Thanks, Shawn