Front Driver Window Keeps Breaking - 2000 GP

[void33]

2000 Grand Prix GT
215,000 miles

The cable in the regulator was all frayed about exactly a year ago and I replaced the regulator but kept the same motor and everything worked until about 3 days ago when the window completely stopped going up and down. I took the regulator & motor out to find out the cable was frayed again and all caught inside the spinning plastic hub that it winds itself around near the motor gear.

Thankfully RA warrantied the part and sent out a new one, I just put in the new regulator (still the same motor) and it goes up and down beautifully for about 10-15 seconds then it craps out, it just dies and doesn't even struggle to move. If I wait about 30-60 seconds I can get it to move again but only for an even shorter amount of time before it craps out.

My question is should I replace the motor? Or should I replace the switches? Or both?

Are there any other tests I should be doing to further narrow down the problem? Perhaps my real problem (be it the motor or the switches) is what caused the cable to fray the first two times?...

Thanks in advance!

[Scottydoggs]

just buy window regulators with the new motor.

id try a new motor at this point. or a junk yard motor. yours has been around for some time already.

[Impala131]

2000 Grand Prix GT
215,000 miles

The cable in the regulator was all frayed about exactly a year ago and I replaced the regulator but kept the same motor and everything worked until about 3 days ago when the window completely stopped going up and down. I took the regulator & motor out to find out the cable was frayed again and all caught inside the spinning plastic hub that it winds itself around near the motor gear.

Thankfully RA warrantied the part and sent out a new one, I just put in the new regulator (still the same motor) and it goes up and down beautifully for about 10-15 seconds then it craps out, it just dies and doesn't even struggle to move. If I wait about 30-60 seconds I can get it to move again but only for an even shorter amount of time before it craps out.

My question is should I replace the motor? Or should I replace the switches? Or both?

Are there any other tests I should be doing to further narrow down the problem? Perhaps my real problem (be it the motor or the switches) is what caused the cable to fray the first two times?...

Thanks in advance!

Hmmm..... this almost seems to me like some kind of thermistor (possibly in the motor) is cutting out the power to the motor. Dunno if this application even has a thermistor, but that is what it seems like. If it is a thermistor, either it is going bad, or your motor is bad and getting too hot.

I'd have to agree with Scotty and say a new motor should be the next thing to try.

[idrivejunk]

New regulator assembly (with motor) would be my suggestion also because thats the best bet money and labor-wise. Replacement motors and regulator assemblies are hit and miss on quality / speed. Meaning you might have to buy and try a few times to get one that works as it should. I have one regulator thats slow / no-go like yours and it has worked exactly the same for five years. Think about it though, car window motors are not designed to run for 10-15 seconds of up and down. Normal usage is just one trip up and down within a minute or so, at least in my mind. Next time you have the glass disconnected, run it up and down by hand to be sure theres no binding in the tracks. Its not unusual to find the front track pinched at the top if a mirror has ever been damaged on that door.

[void33]

Okay thanks for all the suggestions. The regulator/track is brand new so I think I will try a new motor.

Are there any suggestions of which motor to buy? I remember reading somewhere about the aftermarket ACDelco ones having a plastic gear, not sure how much that matters though. Or if you could point me to a thread where they already discuss this that would be equally as helpful. Thanks again GPF community!

[FordMan77]

On a side note, find a way to lube the window guides in the doors (both sides). The felt gets dry and can actually grab the glass causing the regulators to break even faster than they normally do. Stick with a "dry" lube as you don't want wd-40 or silicone all over your glass. Lube every part of the guide you can find while the door panel is off (inside the door and outside where the window rides). Bet it might even speed it up a little. Oh, and if you ever have the glass frozen in the winter do NOT attempt to open the window until you heat the inside of the car up really well. Even if you scrape the glass on the outside the glass is likely to be frozen to the felt guides and weatherstrip still which will kill the regulator in a heartbeat. Trust me on that one, lol....

I just replaced my drivers reg./motor today again. Went with the Dorman one. I also grease the new regulator guide (the metal part that the cables attach to) before they go in. You can see where the plastic guide rides on the regulator when the window moves up and down, so just lube the sides that need it. I got 3 years out of my last one.