116 window motor question
 

When I operate the switch for the driver's window on the 116, the motor spins for a second before it engages and begins moving the window. Happens on both up and down. Is this a quirk to be tolerated or a sign of impending catastrophic window failure?

How do you know the motor is spinning first?
It sounds like there may be a missing tooth on the gear.
I don't know if the motor is the same on your model but this has a picture that I posted of the motor in mine and it may help.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/175953-replacing-window-motor.html

I can hear it. No nasty sounds, I can just hear the motor start turning before it engages anything.

If yours is the same as mine its not hard to take apart so you can look at the gears. It sounds like the shaft is slipping in the center of the large gear but you won't know until you take it apart.