1970 power windows not working

[Truck norris]

So i have a 70 brougham, the power windows are driving me insane, when i bought the car, the only window that kind of worked was the drivers door window. I replaced all 4 motors, sitiil the inly window that worked was the drivers door. I tested all four motors when i installed them all four work at the motor plug so i started looking at the wiring harness, removed it found multiple broken wires in the door jamb. Cut that section out and soldered them back in , then removed all switches and rebuilt them, stimm nothing, in fact the drivers door window now quit working. All the grounds are solid and clean, i have power to the switches and out . But still no working windows. Then since i had gone all that distance i figured i might as well rebuild the window relay. Still no worky. Im very frustrated

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[David Wyatt]

I'm having same problem with my 1970 Ford Thunderbird 429 engine power windows.. I just put in a order for all 4 motors and I have to go from there..driver window is the only one that works just as you said.please let me know when you find the problem it would really give me a idea where to go from there..
Thank you
David

 

[74 Harley]

Well, I hate electrical problems. However with the windows you have to start by following the power.
I start at the fuse panel. Pull the fuse and clean the contacts really good. A 22 caliber rifle brush has been my friend before.
If you have a circuit breaker replace it.
Rebuilding or replacing the relay is a good move as well. Once you establish power at these points get into the drivers door. That master switch can be a pain. Don't forget to check the window lock switch. It's a pain but you have to make sure there's power coming out of the switches both directions.
Remember that both wires going to the window motors are both power and ground. This is where it gets confusing because the motors go up and down by reversing polarity.
If you can find one an electrical diagram is really helpful.
@Truck norris , which grounds are you referring to?

 

[David Wyatt]

Thank you very much

 

[jrosser81]

Any luck with this? I'm about to venture down the same path with my 70 'Bird. My driver's door window is the one that is working also.

 

[Truck norris]

Yes, turns out the window lock button was bad, it is a ground interruptor switch. I ende up bypassing it at the plug

 

[hotrodbuilder]

So i have a 70 brougham, the power windows are driving me insane, when i bought the car, the only window that kind of worked was the drivers door window. I replaced all 4 motors, sitiil the inly window that worked was the drivers door. I tested all four motors when i installed them all four work at the motor plug so i started looking at the wiring harness, removed it found multiple broken wires in the door jamb. Cut that section out and soldered them back in , then removed all switches and rebuilt them, stimm nothing, in fact the drivers door window now quit working. All the grounds are solid and clean, i have power to the switches and out . But still no working windows. Then since i had gone all that distance i figured i might as well rebuild the window relay. Still no worky. Im very frustrated

If your Bird has a window lock switch that keeps passengers from opening the windowss, it may have failed. Check that. When the window lock switch is locked, the driver's window will still work.

 

[Okiebird]

Mine works a little one day, then nothing for days,then a little bit again. Any suggestions?

 

[Truck norris]

Well, I hate electrical problems. However with the windows you have to start by following the power.
I start at the fuse panel. Pull the fuse and clean the contacts really good. A 22 caliber rifle brush has been my friend before.
If you have a circuit breaker replace it.
Rebuilding or replacing the relay is a good move as well. Once you establish power at these points get into the drivers door. That master switch can be a pain. Don't forget to check the window lock switch. It's a pain but you have to make sure there's power coming out of the switches both directions.
Remember that both wires going to the window motors are both power and ground. This is where it gets confusing because the motors go up and down by reversing polarity.
If you can find one an electrical diagram is really helpful.
@Truck norris , which grounds are you referring to?

The windo lock button is connected to the master window ground. So it acts,as the ground for all the windows except for the, drivers window. So what i did was unplug the window lock then made a loop wire then plugfed into the car side of the window lock plug. Then viola, all windows worked

 

[hotrodbuilder]

I'm having same problem with my 1970 Ford Thunderbird 429 engine power windows.. I just put in a order for all 4 motors and I have to go from there..driver window is the only one that works just as you said.please let me know when you find the problem it would really give me a idea where to go from there..
Thank you
David

Window lockout switch is shorted or open circuit. Driver's window will still work. Other windows will not work due to wiindow lockout switch. By pass this switch.

 

[dfb]

I just brought mine to a shop.. He had to replace the plastic under the arm rests on both sides.. Replace one motor and all the switches.... Cost? 2700!!

 

[Kellzbird]

Hi everyone,

Just bought a 70' T-bird two door fastback and also, having the window issues:

- Old switches very corroded so replaced with new ones from eBay, and had to remortgage the house. Tried cleaning them, too.
- Direct 12 volt power to the motors and they work.
- Wiring looks in good shape but haven't unwrapped the door jam area to look for broken wires yet. 55 years old so, likely.
- None of them work except RH Rear tries to budge just a tiny bit.

Questions are, where should I really start and do these cars have one or more power window relays?
Trying to get a wiring manual on eBay but been reading that they're not well detailed.

- Power seats barely move, just kind of creep. Should I be checking for full 12 volt power?

- AC Car and automatic temp control but fan only working on defrost, no other setting. AC is not working at this time but in the future I will get it working. (Resistor not burnt up looks okay)

*Note: Car was parked for nearly 11 years in a heated garage, apparently. It's in beautiful shape but yes, I do see signs of dampness in switches and chrome pieces prior to cleaning it back up again.

I know this is re-hashing a common issue but thought it would be good to be a part of a club with guys that have had these known issues too.

Any knowledge is golden from you guys and thanks in advance,

Kelly

 

[Blue Beaky Bird]

Hi guy,

As all of you already experienced, I have the same problem on my Beaky Bird Sedan 71-model... (model with the suicide doors and 429 CU V8, 360 HP Thunder Jet engine).

Unfortunately, the only window that kind of worked was the drivers door window.
It is possible to connect the window motors directly to 12V battery current, instead of remaining by the original window lock switch, but if you want to avoid direct current to the battery follow the following steps.

Step-by-step checking and analysing process.
Trial and error method.

Stick to the following procedure:

1. Start at the fuse panel.
Pull the fuse and clean the contacts really good.
Good advise: A copper brush has been my friend before.
2. If you have a circuit breaker replace it.
3. Rebuilding or replacing the relay is always a gdood preventive step as well.
4. Once you establish power at these points get into the drivers door: there the master switch can be a reason where the problems start!
5. Don't forget to check the window lock switch. You always have to make sure there's power coming out of the switches both directions.
Important note: Remember that both wires going to the window motors are both power and ground.
This is where it gets confusing because the motors go up and down by reversing polarity.

Proposed solution:

According tot me, the easiest and most reliable action to avoid a lot of "electrical cable changing" issues exists in unplugging the window lock, fixing a loop wire to plug it afterwards into the car side of the window lock plug and eventually all windows should work.

 

[Blue Beaky Bird]

Can someone find an electrical diagram of the door mechanism and motors with all related switches, please?