Thunderbird Problems

[SilvrFox122]

The passenger door window will roll down, but not up. We've taken the switch out so no one will try to roll it down. Also the lock won't work. You can hear the motor turning, but it won't pull down or up. Help?

[DragonLord3688]

If the motor is turning it is possible the window isn't properly placed within the track, You'll probably have to take the panel off and realign the window to the center track, also does the motor smoke? burn up? smell funny?. The power lock may not work for a few reasons, the lock goes down through the door to a joint (only way I can describe it) that connects to the wiring of the switch, If the wiring is bad, loose, or disconnected the power locks may not work, is the lock not working to the point where you can open and close the door regardless of the position? please be a little more specific

I apologize if my assistance is false to anyone who has more knowledge than I.

[SilvrFox122]

The window doesn't smoke or smell funny, it slows down when you're rolling it down. At first you couldn't roll it down from the passenger side, and we thought it was the switch, but when we replaced it, it wasn't.

The motor to the lock runs, but it doesn't smoke or smell either. If you hold the "lock" button down, the motor just keeps turning (I guess it's determined to lock the door :P).
The door opens and closes, but the power lock is manual now. If it's pushed down, you can't open it unless you have the key or you're on the inside. I don't really know how to explain it. I'm guessing the mechanism that pulls down the lock got lazy. My dad tried fixing it once before and got cut badly and hasn't messed with it since. I'm about ready to get a new door because I can't pay for a new car.

[97Bird]

You are going to have to take the door panel off to get a better look at what is happening to the window and lock motors. The gears may have stripped. Did the door ever get hit in an accident?

[SilvrFox122]

That's what my dad did. And I'm not sure because my grandfather bought it from someone, but since it's been in our possession it hasn't been in any accidents.

[DragonLord3688]

Sluggish eh? I have an 87 tbird and it has the exact problem, you can notice it when you try to run multiple electrical equipment, It's more than likely a result of a failing power grid, bad wiring, needing new fuses, but more than likely electrical rather than mechanical...

[SilvrFox122]

That's also what some other people have said, but it's been known that the scissor like mechanism that turns the gears to open and close the window like to go bad. *shrug* I would probably have to agree on the bad wiring part though.

[SUERED]

Attached to the window electric motor is a gear box--no box so to speak but the motor armature turns a set of plastic gears contained as part of the motor casing. The plastic (nylon) gear teeth wear down and the motor beomes sluggish. Trust me, I have bought 2 sets for my front doors years ago--other Ford auto. You remove the electric motor and open its gear case. Clean it out; replace the gear set and reinstall. There is less chance that the motor or other mechanical apparatus inside the door is at fault. Of course, while you are in there, lubricate those as well. The gear set is available in parts stores and called window gear sets.

[DragonLord3688]

It's a shame so many of the T-Bird lines have issues, It's a beautiful looking car it really is, it's a shame also that mine was in that 4 or so year period where they and the Taurus' had paint oxidation issues

[SilvrFox122]

Originally Posted by SUERED

The plastic (nylon) gear teeth...

Can you buy metal ones? Or aluminum?