1956 power windows problem

[DiIanni]

Just purchased a 56 t-bird that needs a lot of restoring. Neither power window works.
Should I first simply purchase and install two new motors?

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[Ward 57]

Just purchased a 56 t-bird that needs a lot of restoring. Neither power window works.
Should I first simply purchase and install two new motors?

Don't just throw parts and money after it. Half the fun is diagnosing and learning of restoring a classic. Be a detective assuming you have a basic knowledge of tinkering on cars, especially old ones. Buy the shop manual if you have not already and the electrical manual. Could be as simple as the relay. There are several threads on here about power windows

 

[HKelly]

Yes buy new motors. Do you want your windows to work? I bought a car with hand cranks specifically to not have that problem. I have manual seats too. Funny I saw I need to take 3% of my sale price because of it. It’s funny to me, but my windows and seat work fine.

 

[Ward 57]

Yes buy new motors. Do you want your windows to work? I bought a car with hand cranks specifically to not have that problem. I have manual seats too. Funny I saw I need to take 3% of my sale price because of it. It’s funny to me, but my windows and seat work fine.

NO! You don't know if that's the problem. Those motors are strong. My windows were slow and when cold I had to help them up and down. Needed to replace a cracked passenger window so I pulled the whole system and cleaned and repacked all the hard grease in the gearbox and replaced the rollers and the broken helper spring. It zips up and down now. Need to do the driver's door this spring.

 

[knuckle47]

@Ward 57 is spot on … my ‘56 windows worked but were a bit sluggish. After cleaning the hardened grease and re-lubricating the mechanism my windows sail up track effortlessly. As these cars have fallen into the realm of real vintage automobiles, you will be better off learning to investigate issues or you’ll be on the road to shelling out money at every turn. Helps to inspire the confidence to take the car out on rides knowing you’ll be more capable to deal with things as they develop.

 

[jsonny]

@Ward 57 is spot on … my ‘56 windows worked but were a bit sluggish. After cleaning the hardened grease and re-lubricating the mechanism my windows sail up track effortlessly. As these cars have fallen into the realm of real vintage automobiles, you will be better off learning to investigate issues or you’ll be on the road to shelling out money at every turn. Helps to inspire the confidence to take the car out on rides knowing you’ll be more capable to deal with things as they develop.

Spot on. I am having the same problem...slow windows. My thought is that it is the "hardened grease" since I had the same problem with my seat rails; took the rails out, cleaned them, re-lubed, and now it works fine. Still looking for info on how to take the window regulators out since my Ford manual does not explain how.

 

[Ward 57]

Spot on. I am having the same problem...slow windows. My thought is that it is the "hardened grease" since I had the same problem with my seat rails; took the rails out, cleaned them, re-lubed, and now it works fine. Still looking for info on how to take the window regulators out since my Ford manual does not explain how.

The official shop manual at least for my '57 has a pretty good description on how it's done across all the different models. They are all different. I had no problem.
Just make note of which screw for the access cover to the mounting fasteners goes where. It's not rocket science, just pay attention of what goes where. I bought a packet of wire labels so I could label which screw came from where and the same applies to the wires on the switch so you don't need the electrical manual to put it back together. The biggest bugaloo was getting the retaining clips off the rollers so I could remove the window from the regulator.

 

[Ward 57]

Just purchased a 56 t-bird that needs a lot of restoring. Neither power window works.
Should I first simply purchase and install two new motors?

As I said the relay on the firewall may be stuck from lack of use. Have somebody manipulate the switch while you smack it with a cloth covered hammer or rubber mallet. This last spring my heater motor wouldn't run but I smacked it with the heel of my hand, squealed a moment and has been working fine since. Repair, don't replace.

 

[knuckle47]

This is the repair technique my parents and grandparents used on the TV set back in the ‘50s.

 

[doug7740]

As I said the relay on the firewall may be stuck from lack of use. Have somebody manipulate the switch while you smack it with a cloth covered hammer or rubber mallet.

Before you start smacking an electrical component with a hammer, let’s diagnose your power window problem the proper way. Since you said that neither of the power windows are operational, the window regulator safety relay on the firewall or the 30 amp circuit breaker under the dash could be the cause.



Notice, the window regulator safety relay has only three wires connected to it, which means that the relay must be properly grounded on the firewall before it will work. Make sure the surface where the relay mounts on the firewall is clean and free of paint.


Looking at the attached wiring diagram;

The black wire at the window regulator safety relay is connected to the starter relay; there should always be 12 volts at this wire.

The red wire at the window regulator safety relay is connected to the ignition switch; there should be 12 volts at this wire when the ignition switch is turned to the on position.

If the window regulator safety relay is working properly, the yellow wire at the safety relay should have 12 volts when the ignition switch is turned to the on position.

The yellow wire at the 30 amp circuit breaker under the dash is connected to the window regulator safety relay; there should be 12 volts at this wire when the ignition switch is turned to the on position.

If the 30 amp circuit breaker is working properly, there should be 12 volts at the red/blue wire when ignition switch is turned to the on position.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[Kampy]

have a driver side power window stuck dowm. motor engages with an audible start, but won't raise window. have tried to assist, but won'tbudge.

 

[Ward 57]

have a driver side power window stuck dowm. motor engages with an audible start, but won't raise window. have tried to assist, but won'tbudge.

Looks like you will have to pull the door panel and take a look. Possibly a mounting bolt came loose or you have an issue with one of the rollers. At least it's stuck down as that is where it needs to be for servicing. May as well pull the whole mechanism and refurbish. When I did my passenger window as it was cracked, I found the helper spring was broken and had been for a while as there was rust on the broken ends. Opened, cleaned and re-greased the gear box while I was at it. Works much better. Replaced the 'Whiskers' while I was at it also.