The windows in your Ford or any car for that matter are operated by one mechanism known as a window regulator. This mechanism is essentially what lowers and raises the windows when you press a button or turn a handle. This is possible thanks to electric motors that send power to the regulator which then converts it from electric to linear motion or a cranking mechanism.
There's a gear assembly behind the door panel that moves the window along what is known as a track with guides that keep the windows in which are attached to the regulator itself. When it comes to manual windows your Ford has no electric motors as it relies on the force from your arm which makes things a bit simpler.
Window Regulator Replacement
1. The tools you'll need to replace a window regulator on a Ford can vary depending on the model and year it's produced. For some Ford side window regulators, you may need a drill but most will require trim removal tools, a piece of wood, a torque wrench, screwdrivers, a rivet gun, fabric tape, a ratchet and a socket set. Don't forget to wear protective equipment such as safety glasses.
2. To get to your Ford window regulator you first need to raise the window fully up to its closed position and keep it there using some fabric tape. Then follow up by removing the door panel starting off with the removal of the mirror mount cover and the inner door handle cap as well together with the door handle itself.
3. Next, continue by removing the door lock switch assembly and power window assembly. If your Ford comes with manual windows use a window crank handle removal tool to remove the crank. Then, remove the armrest and finally the door panel. The door panel is removed by detaching the retaining clips and then pulling the panel away.
4. After the panel is off, remove the vapour barrier by pulling it away from the panel and then have someone hold the window for you. With that done take a wrench and remove the guide-to-regulator mounting bolts then place the piece of wood under the window to support it.
5. Follow that by disconnecting the electrical connector of the motor and then using a ratchet remove the bolts holding the window regulator assembly. Some Ford models have rivets holding the regulator and motor which is why you need a drill to remove them. Once the regulator is off though, slide it out through the opening in the door.
6. To install your new Ford window regulator you should check if the motor of the old one needs to be used. Using a torque wrench, tighten the fasteners of the motor and then slide the new regulator through the same opening you removed the old one. Make sure you have the window held in place by someone once again and then remove the fabric tape and wooden block so that you can lower the regulator onto the guides.
7. After that use the torque wrench to tighten the regulator-to-guide bolts and reconnect the electrical connector of your Ford power window regulator motor. Then, reinstall the power window switch assembly to check if everything works properly.
8. Once it does, remove the switch assembly, put the vapour barrier back on and reinstall the door panel and the rest of the pieces. Some Ford window regulators require you to initialise the window with the procedure usually explained in the instruction manual.
Common Issues of Window Regulators
Gear Assembly
If you have a stuck Ford power window regulator it may be because of a broken gear assembly. That's because the gears in the assembly can get broken or stripped which can make the window stop moving.
Bushings
There are bushings that hold the window regulator and if they get damaged or wear out the window starts to either not move at all or do so loosely.
Motor
Another reason why the window or windows in your Ford are not moving up or down is because of the electric motor which can either burn out or malfunction. When either of these things happen you won't be able to move the window at all but it won't feel stuck.
Connections
When it comes to a Ford power window regulator the issue can be with either corroded or loose connections. Most often these are the connections between the regulator and the motor but you can also have corroded or loose connections between the motor and the switch.
Track
The track on which the window moves up and down can get damaged or bent and this can make the window move out of place. It will still work but it will be misaligned. If you were to use it this way the window can easily fall off and break which is not something you want as it will increase the cost of repair.
