My driver's side window will not close completely. It goes until it's about 1/4" closed then it stops. It makes a grinding noise and i can hear the motor. I removed the panel to view the mechanism... does anyone know where to start fixing this problem on a 2001 ford ranger?

I wish I could help!!! I have my door panel torn apart right now and can not for the life of me figure out what is wrong. I know the actuators in both locks need replaced, that is not the bulk of my problem. This winter, I had problems getting the window down because they were frozen shut (another reason to quit smoking!) and somehow, something happened to the window where when you go to put it all the way up the motor works fine but wants to keep running and the window will not go all the way up. My passenger side window works fine. When I power it shut, the motor stops once the window is completely closed even if my finger is still pushing the up button. The drivers side stays on track just fine until about half way up, then it seems to shift to the right and will not go all the way up to the point when it shuts, it appears to be all the way up at the top of the window but on the side (closest to the front) you can see a gap. Also, the motor does not quit running and there is a grinding sound like you mentioned. It is getting frustrating. I don't want to have to replace the motor and all the parts if I don't have too!!!

Maybe its that giant gear in there.

but im not sure.

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'86 Ford Ranger Super Cab 4x4
2.9 V-6
6in Suspension lift
500 watt JL audio amp
Rockford Fosgate 10" sub
Kenwood kdcx492 head unit
New Holland Red

Ive never worked on my windows before, and I hope I don't have to for a while.

This may help Understand whats in there though.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/power-window1.htm

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2001 Ford ranger Extended cab, Automatic with a 3.0 Vulcan V6, and 160,000 Miles

My Driver side window is doing the same thing. I have a 95 V6 3.0, and I been trying to see where the gear is missing or if its off the track. I can't see anything out of place. Let you guys know if just taking it apart rebuilding it makes a differentnes.

Hey Ryan, I just did my drivers window, and when you remove the panel, there will be four rivets that fasten the window jack to the actual door and what had happened was three of the four rivets broke and the jack was hanging and it disconnected the wire that controlled the window. It's on the very bottom of the door. But I just bought some thin head bolts(they have to be short too) and bolted the motor to the door and reconnected the wire and it worked like a champ. Hope this helped.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I just sold my Ranger and bought a 2007 XLT 6 Cyl 3L Sport with only 9000 miles!!! I had such good luck with the last one, I figured I can't go wrong with a newer model!!! Thanks again for all the tips!!!