Power Windows Help
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Power Windows Help
Ok, This is beginning to get to me. My 79 has power windows, I have replace the window switch for the drivers side about 4 times. Each time I replace the switch, I lasts a few months then suddenly, won't roll the windows up, only down. Down is great but I need them up at the end of the day. Anyone have any ideas? Am I plagued with bad switches? Is something causing the switch to short? If it is a short, why does the down still work? I don't even know where to begin to trouble shoot. When a new switch is in, everything works fine until it dosen't EEEERGH! pulling my hair out. (and I don't have much to begin with)
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,507
Likes: 76
From: Marshall, Missouri
Maybe members over on the C3 Forum might be more knowledgeable on this. I can't think of anything off the top of my head that would be the cause of a swith repeatedly failing on only one side.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Have you checked/tested the connection on the window motor? Could be dirty or corroded. Connect passsenger's switch to the driver's window and see if you get normal operation.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 268
From: iowa city iowa
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C3 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
It seems like if it were a short you would blow a fuse. I wonder if that window is binding up enough to put extra load on the switch, but not enough to blow a fuse?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton Ontario
the drivers window has always worked wonky. On the "down" it puts a whole new meaning to "express down" and on the way up, it's slow, but a speed I'd deem normal based on my 2010 chev truck's pwer windows. Is it a buggar to switch out the motors? never had the panel off yet to have a good look. Was thinking of trying to find a similar window switch to retrofit into the location.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton Ontario
here is the thing that bothers me with all of this. Some have said to use an inline relay to take the load off the switch. Makes sense till I found out that GM stopped that in 78 in favour of a circuit breaker. I think the motor is causing to much load due to dirt/grime. Gonna take out the motor and clean thoroughly and re-install. If this damn switch has worked fine for the past 30 odd years, it's not all of a sudden a switch issue. It's a simple on/off power circuit switch, nothing complicated - very little wear on this item. The part that is worked hard every time is the window motor. It's gotta be the motor! Will let you know - it's coming out as soon as I get home. Also clean and re-lub all parts related to the windows (tracks, bearing, whatever else I find.)
