Go Back   tbirdforum.com > Thunderbird Model Years > Flair Birds [1964-1966]

Flair Birds [1964-1966] You have a Fourth Generation Bird or just have some questions about them? Then this forum is for you, check it out.

self locking driver's door

This is a discussion on self locking driver's door within the Flair Birds [1964-1966] forums, part of the Thunderbird Model Years category; A few years back, I replaced all of the vacuum lines in my 65 bird while having the dash reupholstered. ...

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
  #1 (permalink)   IP: 174.45.156.208
Old 05-19-2020, 06:27 PM
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 26
Rep Power: 0
Montana Tbird is on a distinguished road
Garage
self locking driver's door

A few years back, I replaced all of the vacuum lines in my 65 bird while having the dash reupholstered. Everything seemed to be working ok, but last fall when I'd start the car, the driver's door would lock when the vacuum built up. The passenger door doesn't do this. I rebuilt everything in the drivers door two winters ago, but haven't pulled the door card on the passenger side yet. The dash lock switch doesn't affect either door to lock or unlock either door. I put a vacuum on the largest nozzle in the switch while holding my fingers on the two smaller ones. It would hold a vacuum and release the pressure when I pushing the lever either way. I'm going crazy trying to chase down the issue - it's got to be a vacuum issue, but not sure where to look next. Any suggestions? I'm not ready to unplug them yet, but that may be the easiest solution.

Thanks guys!
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)   IP: 71.71.42.166
Old 05-21-2020, 08:46 AM
Yadkin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 114
Rep Power: 24
Yadkin is on a distinguished road
Garage
My car did not come with that option, but the problem has to be one or both of the switches, since they interact with each other.
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)   IP: 174.45.156.208
Old 05-21-2020, 10:17 AM
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 26
Rep Power: 0
Montana Tbird is on a distinguished road
Garage
When you say "one or both the the switches", are you referring to the locks on the doors, or the one on the dash?
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)   IP: 71.71.42.166
Old 05-21-2020, 11:06 AM
Yadkin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 114
Rep Power: 24
Yadkin is on a distinguished road
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by Montana Tbird View Post
When you say "one or both the the switches", are you referring to the locks on the doors, or the one on the dash?
Gosh, there are three? Again, my car doesn't have that option. I retrofitted a electronic system that locks both doors with my key fob.

I am somewhat familiar with the electric versions on later models, since I am currently restoring an '81 Corvette, and that has switches on each door. both switches are tied together so that operating one locks both doors.

I assume that the vacuum system works the same way, any switch locks both doors. So they have to be tied together. Two, three, or four, it doesn't matter, you could have a leak at any of them.

The switch that does my rear panel works perfectly, along with the check valve between it and the source vacuum. The motors I had to replace. I assume that your door lock switches are the same manufacturer and probably built just as well, so maybe just a good cleaning will make them work properly.
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)   IP: 174.45.156.208
Old 05-21-2020, 07:03 PM
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 26
Rep Power: 0
Montana Tbird is on a distinguished road
Garage
Thanks - I'll open up the door panel in the next week and see what surprises I can find. I'm hoping for a vacuum motor with a disconnected hose! Appreciate the advice.
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)   IP: 71.71.42.166
Old 05-21-2020, 10:37 PM
Yadkin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 114
Rep Power: 24
Yadkin is on a distinguished road
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by Montana Tbird View Post
Thanks - I'll open up the door panel in the next week and see what surprises I can find. I'm hoping for a vacuum motor with a disconnected hose! Appreciate the advice.
More likely a rotted hose. I replaced every hose in my car. Ford must have used a bad supplier in '64.
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)   IP: 98.249.111.162
Old 06-04-2020, 07:02 PM
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 1
Rep Power: 0
jdhutch is on a distinguished road
there is another valve behind the front of the dash by the fuse block.
Thunderbird ranch at tbirdranch.com has several vacuum line charts that are helpful.
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)   IP: 71.71.42.166
Old 06-04-2020, 07:53 PM
Yadkin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 114
Rep Power: 24
Yadkin is on a distinguished road
Garage
I found this diagram. Looks like there is supposed to be only one switch.



The object at the top of the drawing, just left of center, looks to be a simple junction "tree". If that is true then it can be cleaned and tested for leaks, and if broken, replaced with one pass-through and two tees. If there are check valves integral and they are not working, they can be replaced with remote ones.

Once you locate that tree, it should be a simple process to test hoses for leaks and operators for function using a simple hand held vacuum pump.

Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:02 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.3.0
Garage vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.