'89 Grand Marquis power windows not working. Motors are turning, windows don't move

So I have an '89 Mrand Marquis and the power windows aren't working.

The driver's side front doesn't move at all.

Passenger's side front works fine.

Driver's rear the motor turns but the glass doesn't move.

Passenger's rear the motor turns but the glass doesn't move.

I have been told I will need to replace the regulators. I haven't been able to find regulator's searching the websites of the big chain parts stores.

I was also told that drilling is needed to remove the regulators. Is this correct? Where and what do I need to drill?

If anyone has a link to a guide to this repair with photos etc that'd be great. I looked on CrownVic.net and GrandMarquis.net and didn't find anything.

The window motor/regulator assemblies use a plastic gear that usually strips. If the motor still runs without the window moving, it is most likely the gear. Parts stores have them for about $20. You can also find them on e-bay. If the motor does not run, it most often is a broken wire in the harness that goes into the door from the body (from opening and closing the door). Otherwise, maybe a bad switch. Very rarely is it the motor itself. Once you remove the inside door panel, you will see the regulator assembly held to the door with aliminum rivets. Drill these out with a 1/4" drill bit and replace with bolts when done. The gear cover comes off the motor with a 5/16" nut driver. Try Pep Boys, AutoZone, tec. for a manual or check at the library. Or, if there is a self-serve junkyard nearby, tear a door apart for practice (and maybe find a good regulator!).

67Coug is spot on in his reply.

I would just add that Ford did something right in their power windows: They all use the same plastic gear drive. Sure makes it nice when looking for replacement parts.

Pull the stripped plastic pieces out of the motor after you take it apart and put in 3- 3/8 nuts with grease to take the place of the plastic gears and you will never have a problem with stripped gears again!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by ran347nosgt

Pull the stripped plastic pieces out of the motor after you take it apart and put in 3- 3/8 nuts with grease to take the place of the plastic gears and you will never have a problem with stripped gears again!!!!!!!!!

Do you have pics of this?

I didn't see the regulators on the chain parts store websites, but I did see the gear sets. Can I just replace the gears or do I have to do the whole regulator?

Just the white plastic gear, inside the motor under a metal cover held on with three screws, as I remember.

I helped a friend pull some parts for a 92 crown vic rear window. It seems to me his had a cable that broke. It ran around some plastic pulleys. We also "practiced" at a upull yard. Is this also common?

89 will have the gear type. There are 3 center punched marks in the sheet metal that line up with the drive motor where it attaches to the regulator, drill them out to about 1/2 carefull not to go to deep. After drilling you can reach through with a small socket (5/16?) and unbolt the motor from the regulator, make sure glass doesn't slide down and trap your hand. After you repair the drive it takes a little patience to wiggle it back into position. The second one will be easier and it's faster than trying to wrestle the regulator out of the door. It's in the shop manual.