Okay so to revive this thread I replaced the regulator with a new AcDelco one from RockAuto, put it all back together and it just doesn't seem to have the power to fully move up and down. It quits out after a few very slow inches of either up or down.
This would make me think the motor is burned out from trying to move the old (and frayed) regulator so many times. However when you remove the motor from the regulator it goes without a problem and seems to be consistent and powerful. What do you guys think? If I buy a new motor I can't return it after I install it so I need to make a decision here...