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.
Hi. I’ve got a 2003 Windstar and the motor seems to work off and on. I heard something about bushings inside it that wear and can be repaired easily. I think this one might be a candidate for that. Do you know anything about this or do I just need to go ahead and replace the motor?
If the two screws are removed, the nut is removed and the stud is fully loosened, the motor should dislodge by using a screwdriver to twist or pry it from the regulator. BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO PUT YOUR HANDS IN HARMS WAY. YOU COULD LOSE IT. many times gear pressure has the motor locked in place and it will jump when it comes loose. Once the motor is loose from the regulator it should be safe to grab the motor and remove it.
I am having the same problem as Anonymous Sept. 28, 2012. The stud turns to the left as if loosening more (has already loosened alot and is sticking way out) yet the motor will not come out. Any ideas as to what is holding the motor, preventing it from dislodging?
Did you also fully loosen the stud that the nut was attached to?
O.K. I did everything you said step by step, two screws are out and so is nut, motor seems stuck in place, tried to push it and it only moves 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Even tried hitting motoe with large screwdriver and hammer.Should I give it a harder punch or drill out the rivets or try lifting up on regulator or what?