I have an 88 Ford Bronco and either the power window motor has gone bad or there are other problems but I am unable to put my rear window up or down, right now it is closed.
I have not checked the switches or anything else but before the window stopped completly it really started to get slower and slower and then one day it stopped working all together. I bet the motor is shot. How can I get the tailgate open without being able to put the window down???? or is there a way I can put the window down maually??? I have done most all other repairs on my Bronco but this is one thing I have never had to do so I am learning as I go.

 

well i put the sholdera to the top lifted a few inches and had some1 else keep the gate from flopping til i stacked old tires under the glass so i could open it re wired cleaned the moto gears out

GOOD AS NEW
well slow as no relay yet but works

 

Battered Bronco,
Thanks for the reply.
I have been reading this Haynes Manual and it is of no help.
Since I have never worked on a Bronco TailGate I need Step by Step instrucions I don't understand how to open the tailgate if the window is still up, and I definetly don't want to break the glass

 

climb over the back seat and take the center panel of the tailgate and look inside the tail gate, there realy no that complex if you have any mechanical ability, unhook the arm or gear what ever it has in it and then pull the glass down with your hand. and you can then open the tailgated and finish whatever you need to do to it. DW

 

also, just in case the motor/wiring/channels are still operable; try pushing on the driver's side of the tailgate to make sure it is completely closed (there is an electrical switch (inside tailgate) on that side's latch (latch is on side of the tailgate). See my web site for Tailgate; tech articles with pics by Steve and Dustin and RFR, etc for more info. because you prob need to replace a lot of stuff incl the weather seals, bushings, and maybe the channels or at least clean and lube them.

 

thanks guys, I will have a look at it.

 

well i went that route trying to push the glass down in my 78 nothing doing but they may of done something about that or mine may of had a problem
but if you un bolt the top and put your sholders into it it will clear the window just have some one from lrtting it open enuf to break the glass then gently sit the top down
remember to support the glass of you could break it

 

Thanks,
I have yet to try to get it open, my mom's Bronco 2 is in the garage and I am trying to tear it apart to put new Radius arm bushing on it. Right now it has some PB Blaster on it, the bolts are on there good, it's a 1984 and ain't never had that done to it before. SO between taking her to work and doing some work of my own I have not had time to get to the tailgate on my Bronco.
I will try lifting the top,
Thanks for the help,
Kevin

 

I would first try the simple push "in on the drivers side of the tailgate" (like AlM sugested) while you try both the inside switch and outside key - sometimes it's the simple things in life that gets us down or not......

 

Mechanics first rule: START SIMPLE.
There is a small gap at the drivers side and a large gap at the passenger side,(from the spare tire bracked pulling out on it) I have tried to push them closed but they don't budge. I will try pushing the tailgate closed and trying the key and button. Tomorrow here in Atwater Ohio they are calling for rain Friday night through Sunday. If the motor is shot, about how long do you think it will take to replace?? can it be done in a few hours?? Don't want to tear it apart and it start to rain and my Bronco will not fit in my Garage

 

I have had a collection of rear window problems on my 88 XLT. First try the tailgate key. If that works then the front switch is bad. Mine would go down but not up until I replaced the rocker switch. If the key doesn't work, check the fuse just to be sure. Otherwise a new motor isn't very expensive. Unscrew the back access panel, and, well, I guess it gets hard from there. The Haynes manual is about it for instructions.

 

Ok I have finally had a chance to work on this. The motor seems fine the window goes up and down sorta.
The window will not go all the way down it's like it hits something but it goes down with about 1-2 inches of the window still stickin out. Also what is the purpouse of the Torsion bar?? cause the bracket that holds it inside is rusted off. I have disconnected it from the body and the only thing I notice is the tailgate is hard to close. Now another thing. there are glides that the arms connect to well one of them is missing a part. let me see how to explain, you have the rail then the arm from the gears has a square thing on it and then a larger square part that actually connects to the window, that larger square part(that actually slides when operating the window) is missing. Can I get just the part that I need or do I have to replace the whole arm???? Any other suggestions of things to do while I am working on this????
Thanks,
Kevin

 

Well I talked to the ford dealer and found out those two little plasting pieces don't come by themselves you have to get the little metal studs also(atleast that is what the comptuer thinks) $7+tax per side for a total of $15 or so. I will try to make the ones I have work, but the one side don't want to stay attached to the regulator arm stud, any ideas how to make it stay on, I was thinking a two part epoxy or somthing but I don't think it will work. Also the only way I can operate my glass is to get out and push in on the driver side of the tail gate. The gate don't seem to close all the way and when I latch the spare tire mount it pulls that side of the tailgate out about an inch or two. So first question is there any way to make the tail gate go closed all the way? it latches but then comes open about a half inch on the driver side and after closeing the spare tire mount the passenger side is almost an inch open. Don't know if I can brace it somehow to keep it completely closed or not????????????????????
now my second question is, if I can't get the tail gate to go closed enough, is there a way I can rewire the safetly switch to allow the glass to go up and down without the tail gate being closed??? I will always close it but the switch thinks it's open.
Thanks,
Kevin

 

Wolfman have you checked the latch for wear it may be to worn possibly on the post for it to stay closed as tight as it should. The post should have a plastic ring around it. That is what usually wears down or breaks off complely. If it is gone that would allow the gate to latch but then still move around. On the question of the studs on the window the epoxy propably wont hold like you said. And if it does it likely wont last long you might come out better to spring for the two new ones you mentioned.

 

Unless I am wrong I think the plastic rings are GONE.
As for the regulator roller things(don't remember what they are called) are they the same size and style that are used in the power windows on my driver and passenger doors?? I thought maybe I could swap them out of a 1989 Ford F-150 I have setting in the yard????? I put the original plastic part back in and it seems to work but if it gets jarred around too much I am afraid it is going to come out again, and I certainly don't want to replace a rear window. How much do those cost anyhow??(just a ball park figure). Next time I have some money left over I will buy the new ones but right now I just don't have money to spare