The Ford Barn

Topher5150 · 09-30-2021, 12:44 PM

Earlier I asked you guys about manual seat rack options for my T-bird power seats just in case. Well, I finally got around to plugging it in, and surprisingly enough all the switches work the motor works and the lead screw turns freely. The bad part is that the only part that does anything is that the back goes up and down. I would love to make this work if I can so any help would be apprciated.

Merc Cruzer · 09-30-2021, 01:02 PM

Looks like that was a 6 way seat with at least three relays, all operating from a single control switch. Looks like you need to set aside a block of time, with a multimeter. The good news is that you know you have power, and at least one of the relays is working.

Good luck, you can figure it out.

Merc Cruzer · 09-30-2021, 01:05 PM

Double post

KULTULZ · 09-30-2021, 04:45 PM

There should be a complete DIAGNOSTIC SEQUENCE in your WORKSHOP MANUAL. Makes it a whole lot easier than chasing things.

mercman from oz · 09-30-2021, 05:14 PM

1966 Ford Thunderbird Power Seats Electrics - photos by Merc Cruzer

Topher5150 · 10-01-2021, 08:24 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

There should be a complete DIAGNOSTIC SEQUENCE in your WORKSHOP MANUAL. Makes it a whole lot easier than chasing things.

I don't have that manual, nor a t-bird. I'm putting these seats in my 47 Ford

Merc Cruzer · 10-01-2021, 08:44 AM

Hopefully you have a multimeter. If so you can then just trace the tips of the three sets of plugs back to the relays. Then with the aid of a couple of jumper wires, you can figure out what relays are bad or if it is the switch. I would start with the direction that has power, to get a base of how the system works. It really shouldn't be too hard.

KULTULZ · 10-01-2021, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topher5150

I don't have that manual, nor a t-bird. I'm putting these seats in my 47 Ford

Well, in lieu (Fr.) of the WSM, possibly visit a BIRD FORUM that hopefully has a person directly familiar with the BIRD or has access to the WSM that may be able to help you.

The 1964-66 BIRD had circuitry that need at the least (IMO) access to a wiring diagram. I used to work on them at a dealer.

dmsfrr · 10-01-2021, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topher5150

I don't have that manual, nor a t-bird. I'm putting these seats in my 47 Ford

Quote:

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

...
The 1964-66 BIRD had circuitry that need at the least (IMO) access to a wiring diagram. ...

1966 Thunderbird wiring diagram options...

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...agram&_sacat=0

CrownVic55 · 10-01-2021, 10:46 AM

Kultulz-when you were working on the Birds, did you ever have occasion to change the speedometer on a 65 Bird? I had one I bought new and odometer quit working at 19999 miles. Took to Ford to get fixed. Took mechanic two full days to R&R speedometer and he looked like he had fought a wildcat. Cuts and scrapes up to elbow. Showed me in the book where step one was remove both front seats and console. On the 66 they went back to a round speedometer which was very easy to change. Had to take car back a couple of weeks later for a different problem and when mech saw me, he came over and asked what was wrong. Told him the odometer had quit again. He threw his wrench down and told service mgr. he would quit before he would work on the speedometer again. Had to tell him it was okay before he ended up getting fired.

Merc Cruzer · 10-01-2021, 11:48 AM

Here is the wiring diagram you are looking for.

https://search.aol.com/aol/image;_yl...F&action=close

Hope it helps

Topher5150 · 10-01-2021, 02:12 PM

What do the three solenoids on the side do in the seat?

Merc Cruzer · 10-01-2021, 03:14 PM

"Well, I finally got around to plugging it in, and surprisingly enough all the switches work the motor works and the lead screw turns freely. The bad part is that the only part that does anything is that the back goes up and down. I would love to make this work if I can so any help would be appreciated."

They can act as "relays", for the direction of the motor, for that function: up/down, back forth/tilt forward/backward. When you activate the switch for the back to go up and down, can you feel the solenoid working, when you touch it? If so then try the other directions and see if the solenoid activates.

You might want to get a can of contact cleaner. It may just be dirty contacts, since one works.

KULTULZ · 10-02-2021, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrownVic55

Kultulz-when you were working on the Birds, did you ever have occasion to change the speedometer on a 65 Bird? I had one I bought new and odometer quit working at 19999 miles. Took to Ford to get fixed. Took mechanic two full days to R&R speedometer and he looked like he had fought a wildcat. Cuts and scrapes up to elbow. Showed me in the book where step one was remove both front seats and console.

No, I never had that one. The most irritating was a 64 RETRACTABLE SOFT-TOP that a politician owned. He would raise the deck-lid only and post campaign signs on it and drive it around. It kept blowing relays and such. That was a PIA.

To me, the 64/66 BIRD was one beautiful car.

5851a · 10-02-2021, 11:11 AM

I bought a 64 Bird with fried wiring harness, It had AC and wiring had also fried the vacuum harness. It took awhile and patience but wow that car was a nice ride after done. Sorry I'm OT but you can check with test lamp and the diagrams provided by above. Reversing polarity relays are the toughest if they are in the mix.

09-30-2021, 12:44 PM	#1
Topher5150 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Grandville, MI Posts: 280	66 T-bird power seats Part II Earlier I asked you guys about manual seat rack options for my T-bird power seats just in case. Well, I finally got around to plugging it in, and surprisingly enough all the switches work the motor works and the lead screw turns freely. The bad part is that the only part that does anything is that the back goes up and down. I would love to make this work if I can so any help would be apprciated.

09-30-2021, 01:05 PM	#3
Merc Cruzer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Conifer, Colorado Posts: 2,429	Re: 66 T-bird power seats Part II Double post Last edited by Merc Cruzer; 09-30-2021 at 05:10 PM. Reason: Double post

09-30-2021, 04:45 PM	#4
KULTULZ Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY Posts: 6,474	Re: 66 T-bird power seats Part II There should be a complete DIAGNOSTIC SEQUENCE in your WORKSHOP MANUAL. Makes it a whole lot easier than chasing things. __________________ *** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ... DIAGNOSED CDO** - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order)

09-30-2021, 05:14 PM	#5
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,361	Re: 66 T-bird power seats Part II 1966 Ford Thunderbird Power Seats Electrics - photos by Merc Cruzer

10-01-2021, 08:44 AM	#7
Merc Cruzer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Conifer, Colorado Posts: 2,429	Re: 66 T-bird power seats Part II Hopefully you have a multimeter. If so you can then just trace the tips of the three sets of plugs back to the relays. Then with the aid of a couple of jumper wires, you can figure out what relays are bad or if it is the switch. I would start with the direction that has power, to get a base of how the system works. It really shouldn't be too hard.

10-01-2021, 10:46 AM	#10
CrownVic55 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Collinsville, OK Posts: 171	Re: 66 T-bird power seats Part II Kultulz-when you were working on the Birds, did you ever have occasion to change the speedometer on a 65 Bird? I had one I bought new and odometer quit working at 19999 miles. Took to Ford to get fixed. Took mechanic two full days to R&R speedometer and he looked like he had fought a wildcat. Cuts and scrapes up to elbow. Showed me in the book where step one was remove both front seats and console. On the 66 they went back to a round speedometer which was very easy to change. Had to take car back a couple of weeks later for a different problem and when mech saw me, he came over and asked what was wrong. Told him the odometer had quit again. He threw his wrench down and told service mgr. he would quit before he would work on the speedometer again. Had to tell him it was okay before he ended up getting fired.

10-01-2021, 02:12 PM	#12
Topher5150 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Grandville, MI Posts: 280	Re: 66 T-bird power seats Part II What do the three solenoids on the side do in the seat?

10-02-2021, 11:11 AM	#15
5851a Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: NE Iowa Posts: 1,664	Re: 66 T-bird power seats Part II I bought a 64 Bird with fried wiring harness, It had AC and wiring had also fried the vacuum harness. It took awhile and patience but wow that car was a nice ride after done. Sorry I'm OT but you can check with test lamp and the diagrams provided by above. Reversing polarity relays are the toughest if they are in the mix.