I traded my E-350 Centurion Cruiser last week for an 86 F150 XLT Lariat Supercab due to rust problems beyond my ability to repair.

The 150 is an older resto, looks pretty good, but needs TLC.... 5.0 Auto, duals, black with silver trim.........I'm getting out all the bugs....just did the power locks, and need to button up the panels.....BUT, the passenger side power window does not work.

I powered up the window motor from the battery....works fine. I checked the plug from the switch, and it's a-ok......the switch is working fine as well on my meter, but does not activate the motor. The drivers side pass-switch does not activate it either.

I've double checked all of the fuses......can't find a problem.

I've checked and eliminated all now, and deduce that it's probably in the wire that connects the power to the drivers door switch......that switch works as well, but no power gets to the opposite window. Could it be ground? Should I re-ground the passenger motor and try it (to the frame, that is)......I didn't think these motors needed it though. Anyone have this problem before??? HELP...........

ALSO, the tilt wheel has been really abused......it's loose and wobbly......I've removed the wheel, and would like to know how to proceed getting into it further to see if it can be tightened somehow......it's just not right........I've never taken one apart further than the wheel......NEED HELP!!!

This truck is worth saving........frame is very solid, and the 5.0 runs great....has a new A/C system too.......I'm refinishing the interior, dash, console, panels, etc..........but this wiring baloney is the hold-up....very frustrating.

Any help would be appreciated guys........... Doc

 

If theres no power to the switch and fuses are good there should a breaker in the circuit check it might be stuck open,as far as the steering wheel being loose,there should be 3 (if memory serves) bolts going in from the back side of the bearing caps in the column,they should be just above the pivit point for the tilt or close to it,they are hard to get to but you can get to them to tighten.If you take the column cover off and wiggle the wheel you should be able to see about where they are at,if the bolts are tight then the bearings are probably worn out.

 

OK....... I tried to remove the column wrap (plastic) to get at the tilt bolts, but can't until I remove the dash bezel.

I tried to remove the dash bezel, but can't because of the headlight switch.

The **** is plastic, and there's no set screw..... it won't pull off....I can't see if there's a push-pin to remove the switch cause the bezel blocks me.

Seems like a real catch 22.................This truck is starting to make me as crazy as the last one did.

ALSO, you mentioned an inline (I presume) breaker of some sort on the passenger side window circuit........do you have any idea where this could be located??

 

Couldn't wait for an answer, so I unhooked the battery and pulled the **** off....nearly broke my fingers and my back, but it came off the metal insert.

There were 3 allen bolts in the tilt, and 2 were a little loose..one was nearly a quarter of the way out........beautiful..........tightened them up nicely, and now the tilt is fine as wine.

While it's apart, I'm refinishing the dash and column........still can't figure out the circuit for the passenger window though.......just won't send the signal across, and neither will the passenger switch work it...........

If someone knows a relay or a breaker or something in the line, and where it is, PLEASE let me know.

Doc.............

 

hi pastor. not to step on your coattails, but i'm new on this site and didn't yet find how to post my own submission about my steering column issues. hope you don't mind.
my son and i presently have a 94 xl w 175k. although we haven't owned it long, its evident that has seen a rough life. recently i found another truck -a 95 w/half the miles that needs only our bed and front quarters. luckily it's the same color - tryin to keep it as inexpensive as posss.
anyway the tilt steering column is extremely loose and before i buy it, i was hopin someone could give me the worst-case scenario both from a monetary and mechanical standpoint.
thanks,
A fellow F150 enthusiast

 

This place sells rebuilt columns for ~$400.00 + $250 core deposit. Includes shipping the old column back after you install the rebuilt one.
They will also rebuild your column and send it back if you want to do it that way. Steering wheel - horn bar - cruise buttons etc are not included.
I have not used them but from my searching there are not many alternatives.
http://columnsgalore.com/index.htm

My tilt column also has some issues: It's loose at the tilt pivot pins. Sometimes the wheel tilts down without using the tilt lever (turn signal stalk).
Have to hold the turn signal lever up for right turns.
Gear shift pointer is off...

 

As for the power window the wires sometimes break in the harness in the door jam,opening and closing the doors are hard on the wires.