Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Powerless windows

The driver-side power window on my '96 Contour got stuck in the halfway-up position. I know that my parents had similar problems with their F-150, and even my boss's Town Car has a stuck power window.

Has anybody else had this problem? If so, how much trouble is it to fix yourself, and how much does it cost to have someone else do it?

check wiring to make sure the window regulator is getting power and is the motor getting power, also the multi plug to the motor should be checked i have same problem, window would go down with out stopping when i pressed up on the window control button, mechanic got window to go up, window stays up all the time now

First off check the fuses under the dash. There is a (I know this sounds weird) 40 yes 40 amp fuse for the windows. Mine kept blowing out and the only ones I could find were 30 amps I eventually troubleshot it to the rear window toggle or child safety lock be shorted. If this ends up being you case the new master control will run you $50 or if you know someone who is into electronics they can do what I did and solder the toggle into the permanent on position to eliminate the short

Had the same thing happen with my 98', but unfortunately for me it was the window regulator . Others have had similar misfortune... yuck

Like they've said, check that the window regulator motor is getting power. Ghetto way of doing that:
At night, idle the car with the lights on (or even with the car off). If the window reg. motor is getting power, the lights should dim ever-so-slightly when you press the window up/down switch due to the increased load on the elec. system. Try it with another (working) window first to get a feel for it.

If the window reg. unit is getting power, then pop those door panels off, like so, and check the window regulator. If not, check elsewhere (fuses are indeed a definite good place to start!). Good luck!

P.S. If it turns out to be the window regulator - snag one from Joe or Terry at Sentry Auto Group in Boston for about $120. It's a straightforward do-it-yourself fix - even laid out in the Haynes manual.