The power window on my Ford Windstar works only sometimes(few times I have to bang the door) and wish to replace the motor. Do i need to replace the Regulator as well?
If not ,how can I immobilize the tension spring?
Any ideas?

 

are you certain that the switch is not the problem?

 

Yes,I am sure. The Switch makes "noise" when activated and draws current. I think it is the plastic gears inside the motor that are messed up. Why then it works when bang the door at the level of the motor?

 

Browse the Auto Forum and I think you'll find this exact topic covered fairly recently. The gears are steel, but the motors do go bad. You don't have to mess with the regulator mechanism and just need to prop the window in the up position during replacement.

 

I just replaced my power window motor on my 98 windstar.I was going to just replace the motor but as soon as i got bolts loose that hold the motor on the darn thing slipped on me and i could not get the motor back on the gear again. i had the gear clamped too.
So i took my motor back and got the whole reg and motor for same price . I drilled out the rivets and pulled out the reg.also unplug the motor. {Ok What i did ,i did not use the top rail of the new reg. instead on the old original rail there are wheels that slide . at the ends of the rail there are metal stops. i bent those stops so i could get those slides out of the old rail. on the new rail it came with wheels on that new rail i took th wheels off . i put the new wheels in the old rail.then i bent the metal stop back to hold in it place. then put it back together.} Now this what i felt was the best way to do my particular job. reason being. the wheels on the top old rail were riveted in and i could not get get to them to drill them out. one of there better ideas i guess.
Now from what your car is acting like im not so sure you need a new motor. dont get into a big hurry. check everything out first. its not that much fun.

 

Insstead of rivets did you use screws ?and what size?

 

Most DIY'ers use very short bolts and self-locking nuts. The rivets that would be required are quite large and take a heavy duty rivet tool.

 

The regulator need not be removed. On the inner door skin, with the door panel removed, are three "DIMPLES". with a 1/2 inch hole saw, drill out the dimples. Look into the freshly cut holes, and you will see three 5/16 inch bolts. remove these bolts and push the motor into the door. Reinstall opposite.

 

I used 1 quarter inch bolts with lock washers and cut on the bolts as short as possible as not to bother movement of gears and regulator. cut off bolts with nuts on then take nuts off and file .

 

OK this is how I did it(thank to all of your advise).
The rivets were drilled out(#4) and the metal notch was bend flat with a screw driver and small hammer. Taped the window and remove the regulator with the motor. The problem was that the AutoZone part was not having the same electric plug so went to the Ford dealer and got a motor only(was told that do not come attached with regulator).
Removed the two bolts fromthe motor after I used a vise to keep the regulator together with its housing. Attached with the same bolts the motor. Re-install everything.
It took me 1 hr(with the exception of driving back and forth to the dealer and autozone).
One advise do not try to remove motor by itself by drilling holes on the door. First you will need big openings and second on the windstar the third bolt is already coming out from the door frame so it is impossible to drill through. Using the vise made it very easy.
Thank you again for all your help.
P.S. I bought the 1/4 inch flat head bolts and 1/2 inch length. No need to cut them off(from Home Depot).

 

I'm glad to here it worked out for you. Have a good day.