Power window relays

[JimT]

I have a 1955 thunderbird that I need a left side power window relay or can I use a different relay. I checked Larry's Thunderbird; he didn't list a new one. How can I check the old one out to see if it bad.

[GLAmes]

If it is anything like the '54 Ford it is a convoluted wire scheme that I doubt can be duplicated with a more modern relay. Does it have about eight terminals?

[Gene F]

I bet if you pull the door panel on the passenger side it is a relay with 4 wires. Might be the drivers is wired first, and the passenger is ran in paralel, following the drivers side.

[55blacktie]

Try Hill's.

[paul2748]

Try CASCO.

[miker98038]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I bought a set several years ago, and I thought it was from Larry’s. It was a pair of (probably) relays wired together, mounted on a plate, and then dipped (encapsulated) in a weatherproofing. Mounted as stock, worked, but were a functional not exact replacement. They’re probably still out there from one of the sources above.

[Abe Lugo]

I had my PW wired straight through to a pW fused on a new hardness but it would pop if there was a snag that held up the window while moving. I had a 25 amp fuse on it
I would say you can see what the amp rating is and try something like a horn relay or a Bosch style relay that covers for the amperage pullled.

Or shop it around a lot. Some of the prices I see for old relays are a bit out of hand. https://www.ecklers.com/1961-1966-fo...6-1.html?gQT=1

[JimT]

The relay has four terminals on it. The wiring diagram says it is a 30-amp fuse

[miker98038]

In my bird I think it was one of those 30 amp self resetting circuit breakers. And there was something odd about the relay. That’s why the replacement was 2 wired together, they weren’t something commonly available. But I did that 20 years ago now, so it’s more than a little hazy.

[Late model]

Jim,
I have attached a power window wiring diagram from the 1956 Service Manual. I checked against some used 1955 relays I have and the wiring is the same colors as the 56 diagram. I suspect that this may be a 1955 diagram instead of 56 because the 1956 Classic Wiring diagram I purchased a few years ago shows each motor with a 15 amp breaker but no relays for the motor. I suspect that Ford was in a big hurry to get the 56 manual out, so the old diagram was used.
Understanding your system will be simpler because your TBird has only a left and right relay. You can disregard the lower half of the diagram.
If you have decided to go with a new relay at least now you will have documentation on how the system is wired.
If you still want test your relay I can help with that. I worked with, and taught 6 and 12 volt control systems for a number of years.
I assume the right side window is working. That would mean that the 30 amp safety breaker under the dash is working. It opens if a window motor overloads if something gets caught in the window. But it should reset automatically.

Don55 Wiring diagram.jpg

[Abe Lugo]

Actually just realized my 57 has resetting breakers up in firewall. Each window has its own. So check your relay(s) to see if it get
Power when you turn the key. If it does, the self resetting breakers are much cheaper and replace them. I had one fall apart in my hands.
They look like this, in case you don't know https://www.autozone.com/starting-ch...store_set=true

[Late model]

Abe,
He is having a problem with a relay in a 55 window system. 57 Fords don't use relays. They control motor direction with the switches.
If his system is still 6 volt, he needs a relay. A circuit breaker won't work.

[miker98038]

But the 55’s had the breaker on the power feed. The control circuit was on the key IIRC.

[Late model]

Mike,

You are remembering correctly. The 55's had a power circuit directly from the starter solenoid to a 30 amp breaker and on to the motor relays.
A second circuit (control circuit) ran from the ignition switch, through a 15 amp breaker, and to the switches. The switches controlled the relays.

The 57's were different. The power came from the starter solenoid to the 30 amp 'safety relay" under the dash. A circuit from the ignition switch to the safety relay turned on the whole system when the the ignition switch was turned to run.
There were no relays. The switches controlled the motors and their direction.
Good memory!!