C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Power Window Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 12, 2005 | 07:53 PM
  #1  
Les's Avatar
Les
Thread Starter
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
Default Power Window Question

Neither of my power windows works at this point. The passenger side went out 2-3 years ago & the driver side stopped working a few months ago- it used to stop working but if I hit the door panel it would fire up again for awhile.

I've taken the driver side door panel off & cleaned all wiring contacts but no luck. I've tapped on the motor but that hasn't worked either. I can hear a click at the motor when I hit the window switch which tells me that the motor is getting power. I'm thinking I'll need to replace the motor at this point but was wondering if there are any other opinions.

If I replace the motor(s) what's the degree of difficulty and what else needs to come out to get it done? Also, what's my best source on the net for a motor & what should I steer away from? Thanks in advance.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2005 | 10:36 PM
  #2  
Techno's Avatar
Techno
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 6
From: 68 427 4.11s Roadster
Default

First try jumpering the motor to see if it works. Usually its the wires or a wire that runs through the door jamb. Constant flexing breaks them bit by bit until the wire that used to be a very large high amp wire is a teeny little thing.
The clicking motor means it is getting power not that it isn't. Its a good sign of the door jamb wiring, or its shot

The connector on the motor can also be a problem but the jamb wiring usually goes. Old and loose connector. Either way jumping the motor itself will tell you if the motor is bad.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2005 | 10:40 PM
  #3  
jrs 427's Avatar
jrs 427
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 131
Default

Must be power window month. Both quit working. Suppose I better get out the old test lite because it is no fun in the rain without the side curtains. I could understand the humor... but someone else doesn't. Good luck with your repairs..
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2005 | 10:43 PM
  #4  
onaqwst's Avatar
onaqwst
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
Default

my wires broke in the door jamb...... i spliced in a 12" piece of wire to make some slack and would be easier to fix if it breaks again.....

b
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2005 | 10:45 PM
  #5  
DMONSVETTE's Avatar
DMONSVETTE
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 3
From: On an island surrounded by sharks Hawaii
Default

Not too sure about a 69 but on my 77 and 79 only three small bolts
hold the motor in. It' a little tight space to work in, bolt heads face
towards the outside of car so it's like working backwards. A couple of
the bolts can be easy to get to if you have a ratching box-end.
Also might be easier to test motor out of the car.


**NOTE: Make sure to brace/block the window actuator and windows up so that once you pull the motor the window does not come down on your hands. HTH
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2005 | 05:44 PM
  #6  
Les's Avatar
Les
Thread Starter
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
Default

Thanks guys- the motor DID work when I tested it so it's just a matter of tracing back through the wiring. Funny because the wires look almost virgin w/ no crimps or bends but it's gotta be there somewhere. A new wiring set up is about $12 per side including connectors.

This saved me the cost of a new motor so I appreciate the help. By the way, two estimates for labor only to replace both motors were $300 & $400- $100 an hour at one shop! That's when I decided to do this myself.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2005 | 06:41 PM
  #7  
BLVette75's Avatar
BLVette75
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Les
Thanks guys- the motor DID work when I tested it so it's just a matter of tracing back through the wiring. Funny because the wires look almost virgin w/ no crimps or bends but it's gotta be there somewhere. A new wiring set up is about $12 per side including connectors.

This saved me the cost of a new motor so I appreciate the help. By the way, two estimates for labor only to replace both motors were $300 & $400- $100 an hour at one shop! That's when I decided to do this myself.

Say....Where did you buy the new wiring set up? I need to replace the wiring on my 75....

Thanks,
BLVette75
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2005 | 06:46 PM
  #8  
Les's Avatar
Les
Thread Starter
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
Default

I haven't bought it yet because I may be able to splice the bad section. I looked around in the supporting vendors here yesterday and found it in a couple of places. I think it was Ecklers and Zip but I'm not sure.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 13, 2005 | 07:05 PM
  #9  
BLVette75's Avatar
BLVette75
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks... I will check it out.

BLVette75
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2005 | 07:12 PM
  #10  
Ganey's Avatar
Ganey
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Default

Originally Posted by Les
Thanks guys- the motor DID work when I tested it so it's just a matter of tracing back through the wiring.
Les

So you have the motors out? Try running them out of the door. All connections incl. switches, circuit breaker need to be cleaned- contact cleaner is best. (WD-40 works)
Someone mentioned cleaning inside the motor to fix his. Check circuit breaker.

Separately check motor bracket mounts- there is one that normally gets broken. When it worked if the door flexed- that & a rattle is the sign.
A repair piece is available.

Last edited by Ganey; Aug 13, 2005 at 07:18 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2005 | 08:52 PM
  #11  
Glass Act's Avatar
Glass Act
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
Default

Originally Posted by BLVette75
Say....Where did you buy the new wiring set up? I need to replace the wiring on my 75....
BLVette75
You can get a door wiring set from Corvette America also if that helps you in your search.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2005 | 10:01 PM
  #12  
Les's Avatar
Les
Thread Starter
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
Default

Ganey,
I'm gonna work on one side at a time & right now it's the driver side. While messing around I found that the window will go up only by jumping the motor but it will go down via the switch once it's up. That tells me the problem is in the blue wire (or the side of the switch it goes to) so I'll check those out first.

The door does flex when the motor runs so you're right- I have a problem w/ the mount too. But I just wanna get it working in time for an event next weekend- if so, I'll fix the rest later. Thanks.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Power Window Question





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:59 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE