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Ford Power Window bounce back

Fix Ford Power Window Bounce Back problems

In the old days, the power window switch toggled +12 and Ground to the power window motor. The two-wire motor connector would receive +12 volts and ground to move the window down/up and Ground and +12 to move the opposite movement. With the introduction of auto up/down and anti-pinch features, that’s changed. The new systems build the smarts into the window motor and can detect obstacles. Ford power windows are equipped with an obstacle detection system. When the motor detects and obstacle, it enables the ford power window bounce back feature

Ford power window with auto up/down

Ford offers power window one-touch mode on the front driver and passenger windows.

In these vehicles, the switch acts only as an input to the door motor module built into the window motor. The switch doesn’t actually power the motor. It’s the module that switches direction and determines when the glass should stop. If the motor detects an obstacle, the glass with reverse direction. This safety feature is called Ford Power Window Bounce Back.

How the Ford power window one-touch feature works

The front driver and passenger window switches each have two detent positions for up and down movements. When the operator chooses to open or close the window without the auto up/down feature and moves the switch to the first detent position, the switch sends a 12-volt low-current signal on either the up or down wire to the motor to request an up/down movement. However, when the operator requests an auto up/down movement and moves the switch to the second detent, the switch sends a 12-volt signal on both the up and down wires. The motor determines the intended window direction by detecting the 12-volt signal from the first detent. If the operator moves the switch too quickly between the first and second detent (less than 5-milliseconds), the motor won’t be able to detect the intended direction and the window won’t move. The operator must perform the request again, but slower.

Ford power window wiring diagram

Ford power window wiring diagram

If the operator tries changing direction during auto up/down

The window will stop moving for one-half second and then reverse direction.

Ford power window one-touch mode initialization

Ford power windows with the one-touch mode feature must be initialized for the feature to work. If the feature isn’t initialized, the window will stop moving the instant the driver releases the window switch.

For instructions on how to initialize the Ford power window one-touch feature, see this post

Obstacle override and Ford power window bounce back

The front windows equipped with the one-touch feature have a security override feature to safely detect obstacles and “bounce back.” For example, if the window is moving up in either the manual or the auto-up mode and encounters an obstacle, it will reverse direction and move to a pre-determined bounce back position. The operator can override the bounce back safety feature by operating the window switch again within 2-secs after the window stops.

What causes Ford power window bounce back?

Ice, contaminant buildup and tight spots in the window seals can cause the bounce back feature to kick in. If the obstruction is encountered within 0.15″ ”and 7.87” of the window closed position, the glass will bounce back to within 9.84” of the full closed position. If the window obstruction is farther than 7.87” from the top, then the window will stop 1.96” below the obstruction.

Diagnose Ford power window bounce back

Examine the window channels for debris buildup or pinched window channels. If you don’t see anything, spray the channels with silicone spray or dry teflon lube. Then run the glass up and down several times to spread the lubricant. If that doesn’t help, remove the door trim panel and examine the cables and idlers in the window regulator. Check for broken or binding parts

©, 2021 Rick Muscoplat

Posted on by Rick Muscoplat

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