How do you fix the electric window motor on a 1996 Taurus?

Answer 1

I just replaced the right rear window motor on a 1994 Taurus, which had rusted shut--the 1996 should be similar enough. I don't know if it's practical to try to fix a bad motor of this sort, and I doubt if you need a brand new motor (if they're still sold), so it's probably best that you buy a used one from a car junkyard (where you can also experiment with removing the junker's door panel, etc.). While performing this repair, keep in mind that the Taurus has a button on the driver's door armrest that can turn off power to the window motors on all doors, so make sure that button isn't flipped to the window lock position. Removing the plastic panel from the door will break the 11 or 12 plastic retainers holding the panel to the door, so if you want to reattach the plastic panel to the door in the proper fashion after you're done, buy replacements at an auto parts store. If the 1996 is like the 1994, the replacement retainers carried by Kragen are part # 454750, which is a box of six--get two boxes, since you may need 12 retainers. • Unscrew and remove the doorlock plunger. • Remove the two screws that hold the plastic panel in place: one behind the door handle, and another one elsewhere I believe--you should be able to see it easily. • Next, you'll pull the plastic panel off the metal door. You may find it handy to use a long flatblade screwdriver or similar tool to help pull the plastic retainers out of the metal door. • Once you've removed the plastic panel, you may find it easier to continue if you unplug the electrical cables between the plastic panel and the door, to allow you to set the plastic panel aside. • You should now be able to see the motor inside the door. Remove the three bolts holding it in place, then lift out the motor and unplug its electrical cable. • Plug the replacement motor into the electrical cable coming out of the door, then squirt some WD-40 or similar lubricant around the edges of the motor gear disc. Then make sure the replacement motor works properly, by pressing the window up/down button on the door panel, to see if the motor rotates. If it rotates properly, install the replacement motor. You'll need to mesh the replacement motor's gear teeth with the gear teeth inside the door, which can be tricky, requiring you to press the up/down button several times to rotate the gear teeth inside the door into the proper position, and you'll need to apply some force to push the motor in place, until the teeth mesh and you see the window go up and down as you press the window up/down button. Once the teeth mesh, reinstall the three bolts that hold the motor in place, then press the window up/down button several more times to make sure everything works. • After you've replaced the motor, replace all the broken door panel retainers on the inside surface of the panel, then push the panel back into place (making sure each retainer goes into its hole on the door), then reinstall the panel's two screws, then the doorlock plunger. • Drive down the street with the repaired window motor rolled down, singing or yelling, so everyone can see what a great job you just did.