This morning I head for work and lower the drivers window approx. 2-3" and hear a pop sound. The window will raise however it will not lower. It is as though the window came loose. I managed to power it closed. I can hear the motor running when I try to lower it. Any clues????

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Was there last weekend.

Ribbon broke.. $15 at autozone in the help aisle. Few hours of your time to take it apart, clean and lube everything, sand the rust away, etc.

I actually like the ribbon design. I realize after 20+ years they break, as opposed to most cars that we junk within 15 years. The scissor setup that is on most cars, and late models vettes is a pain in the ass. You have to take the whole regulator out and clamp it in a vise while you drill the rivets out of the motor to avoid it unloading tension and cutting your arm off.

So what I did, be it right or wrong:

1) Unscrew door panel,
2) loosen felt window adjuster things
3) undo all the 10MM, and one 13MM bolts holding the alum plate in place
4) disconnect the rods from the inner door handle, and power lock solenoid.
5) Lay aluminum plate out of way
6) Unbolt windshield from regulator, 3 bolts I think 10MM.
7) Lay windshield out of way on crash bar inside door.
8) Unbolt bottom 2, and top 2 regulator bolts, unplug connector.
9) work regulator out of door.
10) I then put it on a bench, and drilled ALL rivets. My regulator had rust, and I wanted to clean it all up. 5/32 rivets is what it takes. Replaced ribbon, put in new rivets and re-assembled into door.

Cost is $15, and if properly cleaned and lubricated you will get another 20 years out of it. Or you can spend $300, drill new holes and all that to get the new style regulators and have it still last 20 years..

-- Joe

Thanks for the info and I will give it a try. A so called window expert is saying it wont last 6 months because it is thinner. Any thoughts?

I can't question the experience of your window expert, but my similar repair has lasted countless years. It has been so long since I fixed it I don't remember when it was. Probably not in this century. The ribbon for the Mopar van sold under the Help brand is too long. I DO remember having to re-remove the regulator because as I lowered the window, the ribbon hit the inside of the door shell and wouldn't allow the window to lower, completely. If anything, I thought the replacement was thicker, beefier, than the original.

RACE ON!!!

Thanks for info and I will let you know how it went as a followup.

Replacement ribbon on mine lasted until I installed a new window seal and adjusted the window. That extra pressure on the glass broke the ribbon. Not sure how long it was there, was installed by the previous owner. At least 2 years...

I didn't want to bother with ribbon #3 so I upgraded to better regulators. Give me a hollar if the ribbons give you more trouble.