Vintage Thunderbird Club International

I struggled with mine quite often. I think you are going to find that the gear cases in the window regulator need to be cleaned and lubed. In order to do this they need to be removed from the doors. You could also simply have weak motors. I would try to clean up the gear cases, and if that doesn't w...

I have excellent luck with Interstate Batteries.

What you are describing sure sounds like a bad starter. I think you might just have the wonderfully good luck of getting two bad ones in a row. I say this because you say that when it won't start the ammeter deflects sharply. That would indicate that your starter is drawing a tremendous amount of cu...

When my dash lights went out it was a dirty headlight switch reostat. If you turn the switch knob the instrument lights should brighten and dim. On mine I was able to trickle some contact cleaner into the switch. I then rotated the switch vigorously. That cleaned it out enough so that they worked ag...

I had the identical problem. Made me crazy until I took the master cylinder back and got a new one. Works fine now. Good Luck!

I was disgusted Sunday afternoon to find that the passenger window would not roll up...again. Troubleshot and found the switch was bad...again. I've gotten switches from two different vendors that only lasted a few months before they quit. Can anyone tell me where I might find better quality switche...

Thanks Bob. The regulator is the transistorized type. Maybe you're right. Everything looks normal when I'm not at idle. Still it seems odd that the alternator couldn't keep up...

Now that I've finally got the 65 running better I have been gutsy enough to take it out after dark. During the day the ammeter shows normal charge. At night with headlights on the alternator doesn't look like it is keeping up with the load very well. Headlights are plenty bright. It shows a small ch...

Thanks for the good information. I've worked on a lot of tough electronics from aircraft to broadcast tv gear. I just can't bring myself to sending it off without looking inside. You're right about the poor reception, too. When the radio was working it was really only good for FM within 30-40 miles....

My advise to you is to buy the best one you can afford. Go into it with your eyes open. They are spectacular looking cars and a pleasure to drive. To fix? Not so much. I've worked on lots of cars and these aren't easy so they can be expensive to fix. On the bright side, there are lots of them out th...

Will do. Thanks for the reply

Does anyone have a source for schematic diagrams like Sam's Photofacts for 1965 Thunderbird AM/FM radio? I finally got the car running half way decent after several years and now the radio sounds crappy. I'm guessing internal capacitors are old and shot. I need the diagram to make sure I get the rig...

Not to throw water on any of the other suggestions, but I had the identical problem with my light switch on my 65. Problem was a dirty rheostat. I just dribbled some contact cleaner into shaft of the switch and exercised it and it worked fine. This is even more effective and the switch is out becaus...

Did your other accessories work when the radio was dead? My ignition switch caused a similar problem. All the guages went dead and turning to accessory made them come back. I squirted contact cleaner in the keyhole of the switch and "exercised" it. Hasn't shown up again.

I got disgusted this afternoon and went after the offending oversized ball joint with a file and emory cloth. After about a half hour I was able to press it into the a-arm. It was still really snug, so I'm pretty sure it will be OK. Next: getting the coil spring back in. It will be nice to have it b...