2002 driver window drop down feature not working

JoeMacFQV · Nov 12, 2025

Hi all,

My 2002 Bird is having a window drop issue, only on the driver's side (passenger side works as it should). I initially thought one of the control modules were bad, but apparently they don't control this feature... it's all in the window motor (if I'm reading stuff correctly).

The driver door just cracked open causes the interior lights to come on, so the sensor switch seems to be working OK. And as I said, the passenger side works fine. I can roll the driver side up and down all the way manually. I do seem to remember that it used to have a one-button down push mode, and that no longer works (if it was ever a feature). And I have tried the all the down and hold for 3 seconds and all the way up and hold for 3 seconds... no effect. There is no motor noise like bad gears or anything, its just that 1/2 drop and raise when opening and closing the door that's the issue.

So it seems like the whole motor assembly just needs to be replaced, but not necessarily the uprights and everything like I see being sold by some. Sounds like this replacement isn't too hard, but can't find where anyone ever did a video of this on this vintage Bird... if not, then I guess I might shoot one and put it up on YouTube and link it here.

My question to folks here, based on what I've mentioned above, is just the motor assembly sound like the thing to do, or am I missing something ?

Thanks.. Joe

Mikey D · Nov 13, 2025

Joe:

I had what at first seemed to be an unrelated problem. But now that I think about it might have the same cure. My original problem, or what I was most concerned about, was a bad idle after a warm restart. I read where people were told that they needed spark plugs, coil packs, fuel pumps and a lot of sensors to fix the problem. None of which seemed to help anyone.
At the same time, I had a problem where my passenger door window would often not go down when the door was opened. So I had to put the window down a little before I closed the door. I tried doing the recycle the windows up and down thing, that didn’t seem to work.
Anyway, what I did that fixed the idle problem also seemed to have fixed the window problem.
What I did was to disconnect the battery for a couple of hours and then reconnect it. My idle problem went away and now that I think about it, so did the problem I had with the window. The only side effect was it also forgot where I liked my steering wheel position so I had to reset it. Can’t remember if I had to recycle the window memory or not after doing this. I think I did this last spring, it’s been running perfect ever since. No problem with the idle or the window. Maybe it is something like some other computers, in that every once in a while they need to be completely turned off so they can reboot. Please let me know it this works for you.

Most Sincerely;
Mikey D

JoeMacFQV · Nov 13, 2025

Thanks Mikey, definitely cheaper than buying a new motor and less time consuming than installing it. I'll give it try.

JoeMacFQV · Nov 14, 2025

So follow up, the remove battery trick did not work. Seems not a lot of folks have experienced this issue, so not a lot of responses. Guessing I'm gonna go for a new Motor/Regulator Assembly and wish for the best. These things are inexpensive though, so if anyone know how to go about testing one (in or out of the door), that would be a great help.

Thanks

doug7740 · Nov 14, 2025

JoeMacFQV said:
Hi all,

My 2002 Bird is having a window drop issue, only on the driver's side (passenger side works as it should). I initially thought one of the control modules were bad, but apparently they don't control this feature... it's all in the window motor (if I'm reading stuff correctly).

Joe,

The driver power window is controlled by the Front Electronic Module, and the passenger power window is controlled by the Rear Electronic Module. The master window control switch can control the driver and the passenger windows. The master window control switch is hardwired to the FEM. The door ajar switches are hardwired to the FEM.

Proper operation of the Short Drop Glass requires that the windows be calibrated. This must be done to both door windows independently since each is commanded by a separate module. There are two (2) states in which the system may have defaulted.

State 1: Short Drop Glass feature will lower the window but will not raise it again when the door is closed. Closing and opening the door again may cause the window to drop further, but the window will not raise to full up position.

State 2: Short Drop Glass feature will not lower the window when the door is opened. When the window is in the full "up" position, the door will be difficult to open and close because the roof & A-pillar seals are in close contact with the window.

Calibration procedure for State 2: Press the Power Window switch "down" on the effected door to lower the window completely and continue to hold the switch in the "down" position for 2 seconds. Immediately after releasing the window "down" switch, press the "up" switch to raise the window completely and continue to hold the switch in the "up" position for 2 seconds.

NOTE:

DURING SHORT DROP GLASS CALIBRATION, THE AFFECTED DOOR MUST BE CLOSED AND THE TOP MUST BE INSTALLED (IF USING THE HARD TOP) OR BE IN THE UP POSITION (IF USING THE CONVERTIBLE TOP).

Another component that could cause your concern is a defective door ajar switch. The short drop driver and passenger window feature determines when to carry out a driver or passenger window short drop command, when a door is ajar or the convertible top switch is activated. When the driver or passenger door is ajar, the appropriate window will drop. After the open door is closed, the window will then close.

Start by using a scan tool, not just an OBD code reader, to check for faults stored in all control modules. Fault codes might help you determine the cause of your window calibration issue.

I also attached Pinpoint Test J, which may also help you.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue