Very Slow Drivers Window

[VinnieBoombots]

I have a 96 Explorer Limited 4x4 4.0 - when depressing the One Touch Switch, the drivers window will go down about 2-3 inches and stop. Pressing the switch again will lower the window all the way, but very slowly. Pressing the switch to raise the window - it appears to go up at the normal rate. No other windows are malfunctioning, either individually or from the master switch.

The drivers window started to operate slowly, up and down, a few months ago. The problem was intermittent and has now manifested into something more concrete. There is no grinding noise, no motor spinning, no relays clicking. Just a very slow window. I have not seen this condition posted elsewhere in the forum.

I have reviewed 85Dave's very clear and well documented instructions on access and removal of the window motor; and the replacement of the bushings. I am ready to tackle this job. However, should I just get the bushings, or buy a new motor; or should I be looking in another area to solve this problem.

Thanks... Vinnie

 

[CDW6212R]

I have almost the same issue and it started with my 93 truck. I'm using the same 91 door etc, so it's likely the window bushings or an issue with the window track. I've swapped window motors and that didn't help. Mine has done it in most Winters, but more often lately. I used to think it was wiring or otherwise a voltage issue. I don't think so now, hopefully you will find it in those bushings. Regards,

 

[mcsteven]

Reviving very old thread

I'm having the same problem on the two front windows. Here's what I noticed:

Going up is fine and at normal speed.
Going down is hard when it's coldest (I live in the Oakland, California area, so coldest might be 20 degrees F.) but, if I've just gone through the car wash or if it rained, the window moves much faster (maybe even normal speed).

With that said, I believe that it might have something to do with the weatherstripping (not sure I'm identifying it correctly. I'm referring to the squeegee type strips on the inside and outside of the window at the point it enters the door). As the windows descends, the stripping is gripping the window and window is pulling it down towards the door. As the window is ascending, it's pushing the stripping out of the way.

I'm going to do a thorough cleaning of the glass and see if that affects it in any way.

BTW - the voltage would drop quite a bit with the window motors. And if it's an auto down, that would be a big hit on the meter, too.

Now that I'm reviving this, anyone else having the issue?

GOOGLE IS MY FRIEND. I posted this reply to another much older thread first, by mistake, at:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2885294#post2885294

I asked folks to reply over here.

It seems like there are several of us having the same problem (slow going down, temperature sensitive; fast going up, not temp sensitive), so I am surprised we don't have a conclusive answer.

The window should want to go down - nothing like having gravity on your side. The fact that it goes back up so easily makes me wonder if this a motor/regulator problem.

Have any other members tackled this problem?

- -Matt

I have almost the same issue and it started with my 93 truck. I'm using the same 91 door etc, so it's likely the window bushings or an issue with the window track. I've swapped window motors and that didn't help. Mine has done it in most Winters, but more often lately. I used to think it was wiring or otherwise a voltage issue. I don't think so now, hopefully you will find it in those bushings. Regards,

 

[yavapaires]

I'm having the same problem on the two front windows. Here's what I noticed:

Going up is fine and at normal speed.
Going down is hard when it's coldest (I live in the Oakland, California area, so coldest might be 20 degrees F.) but, if I've just gone through the car wash or if it rained, the window moves much faster (maybe even normal speed).

With that said, I believe that it might have something to do with the weatherstripping (not sure I'm identifying it correctly. I'm referring to the squeegee type strips on the inside and outside of the window at the point it enters the door). As the windows descends, the stripping is gripping the window and window is pulling it down towards the door. As the window is ascending, it's pushing the stripping out of the way.

I'm going to do a thorough cleaning of the glass and see if that affects it in any way.

BTW - the voltage would drop quite a bit with the window motors. And if it's an auto down, that would be a big hit on the meter, too.

Now that I'm reviving this, anyone else having the issue?

GOOGLE IS MY FRIEND. I posted this reply to another much older thread first, by mistake, at:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2885294#post2885294

I asked folks to reply over here.

Lube the window channels and the mechanism. I use spray silicone on the channels. First use Liquid Wrench, then something with more lubricating ability on the mechanism and pivot points. I use spray graphite. While you have the door panels off, don't forget to lube the door lock, and all linkages.

 

[koda2000]

other than the suggestions already mentioned, get the voltage going to the motor. i once had a very slow window and it turned out the motor was only getting about 8 volts instead of 12+. i replaced the power wire and everthing then worked great.

 

[VinnieBoombots]

Since my original post.... I am currently in New Jersey and considerably colder. One the temp hit about 45F the window problem came back. I had the opportunity to garage the vehicle indoors overnight. Indoors, the next morning with the temp indoors about 65, the window zips up and down. Move outside, about 40-45, down s l o w, up fast.

If the vehicle is left in the sun with the door facing the sun, zips up & down. Go through the car wash, zips up & down.

My arthritis makes doing anything with my hands painful, so I stopped by the Ford dealer and asked about this condition. The service adviser stated that it would be necessary to dismantle the door to evaluate, and it may be necessary to rebuild the mechanism. He then estimated a number about as long as my VIN.

Another Explorer owner I ran into said he had a similar problem and it just disappeared, the problem, not the car. Go figure.

 

[CDW6212R]

My old 93 did that just in Winter for years. Now I have the same door/window on my 99, I helped it a bunch by lubricating the regulator channels.

Over time those channels get dry of grease. We sprayed some white lithium grease in it, and it lasted through that Winter. I think the best answer is much more grease, or replacing the regulator($50ish on eBay).

 

[GUNITALLREDY]

ive been trying to figure this out for two years first i cleaned the tracks (gues i didnt do a verry good job) then used a bunch of wd40 and that didnt work so what i did last week was remove the window motor and drown the track and gear in marvel mystery oil i moved the window up and down with my hands for about a half hour, it was still slow but after the oil had time to get everywhere about 24 hrs i gues the window went up and down faster than ever and one the window was completely moving freely i used white lithium grease on the tracks. hope it helps o

 

[masospaghetti]

I would also recommend white lithium grease - Get a tub of Lith-Ease from NAPA, was about $4-5. Has a different consistency than the spray stuff, and I think its more suitable for a window track.

You can reach all of the sliders for the regulator by hand through the door opening once you take the door panel off. Clean the tracks the best you can before you apply new grease - I used a rag wet with carb cleaner.

The door panel can be annoying to take off. I had far better luck having the panel separate between the leather/vinyl padding and the rubber window guide as opposed to taking the guide off with the panel (its hard to explain, but it should make sense when you take it off). It's much easier to reinstall if you do it this way. The only other tip I have - get some new christmas tree fasteners to reinstall the door panel, some of the old ones will definitely break when you take them off. All parts stores carry them, I know NAPA has the exact same type as original.

 

[mcsteven]

:exp: Well, another weird issue, not sure if this would be corrected by grease. As noted, I believed that this was something to do with the weatherstripping because the windows move upward with no issues.

It's been raining lately - anyone from Northern California can tell you we get some heavy rain just like most places. And it's been just as cold or colder than before. The car is parked outside. And the windows are speedy again. Even the auto down works on the driver's window again. One push.

Not sure, so I'm asking you folks. Still a grease issue?

 

[yavapaires]

:exp: Well, another weird issue, not sure if this would be corrected by grease. As noted, I believed that this was something to do with the weatherstripping because the windows move upward with no issues.

It's been raining lately - anyone from Northern California can tell you we get some heavy rain just like most places. And it's been just as cold or colder than before. The car is parked outside. And the windows are speedy again. Even the auto down works on the driver's window again. One push.

Not sure, so I'm asking you folks. Still a grease issue?

I don't think any one (including me) said for sure that it was definately a 'grease issue'. What we said was to grease the mechanism and lube the channels. That is something that should be done anyway. You have to take some responsibility to try different remedys yourself. If the windows work better when it rains, you would be on to something. Did you try spraying water on the windows when it was dry to see if that helped? If that is the case, then I think I would spray some silicone on the window seals, see if that helps. If that cures, or helps, then you have found your answer. You will probably need to replace the seals in that case.

 

[GUNITALLREDY]

:exp: Well, another weird issue, not sure if this would be corrected by grease. As noted, I believed that this was something to do with the weatherstripping because the windows move upward with no issues.

It's been raining lately - anyone from Northern California can tell you we get some heavy rain just like most places. And it's been just as cold or colder than before. The car is parked outside. And the windows are speedy again. Even the auto down works on the driver's window again. One push.

Not sure, so I'm asking you folks. Still a grease issue?

Im just saying that i could not put the window down before with out pushing it but it went up just fine if i drove thru the carbwash the would go down easily. Iv cleaned the tracks with marvel mystery oil and then greased the tracks with white litheum. I can now just hit the one click auto AND THE WINDOW shoots down

 

[Kevin-Truro,NS]

I just fixed the same problem with my Merc. I used silicone spray on the weatherstripping, took my door panel off and put some lithium grease in the regulator tracks. Works like brand new.