Have a 74 Vette. Power window button does not work. It did for awhile. When it did it didn't catch the glass very well. This is on the passenger side by the way. What could be the problem or problems. Thanks

 

It could be a couple of things that will require testing the circuit to narrow it down a simple test light will work. Start with the window motor to see if it is getting power. If it is then its the connection to the motor or the motor itself. If not start tracing the wires back to the switch, it is common for the wires to short out inside the rubber conduit between the door and door post from years of opening and closing.
As far as the "glass not catching" that sounds like the gear on the motor is worn out or the teeth on the regulator are corroded. I hope this give you some direction.

 

Where is the motor located. Thanks for your help. Bill

 

Hi Bill,
Its in the door,you have to remove the door panel and then you will see a cover plate. The motor is on the other side of the cover. Try moving the rubber conduit while operating the switch, you might get lucky and find out its a short there.

 

Thanks so much. Bill

 

Let me know how it goes and what you find.

 

I sure will. One other thing. Haven't looked yet but do screws hold the door panel on or pry off. Thanks again

 

Four screws, two clip type at the bottom and two going through the panel at the top. Then you have to remove the lock **** it has a c clip that holds it in place. The panel has several "Velcro" type fasteners holding it to the door.

 

Bill, you may want to spend $20 and get the AIM manual for your car from one of the supporting vendors. It will really help you and give you an understanding of how the car is constructed.

 

The FSM or Factory Service Manual is a 'must have' for these cars as well. You should take photo's and bag and tag the parts, while you're at it.

Be careful taking off the door panels, often, the pressed board that they're made of (now going on 40 years old) can be rotted or detoriating and if you don't want to spend a ton of dough, it's a good idea to be careful taking them off. Start with the bottom screws first, so that it's hanging from the top. Also, many of these have become 'potato chip' shaped as well, so be careful putting it back on, as well and have a big area to set it down, so you don't damage it.

Finally, look carefully and see where you can apply grease to the tracks and scissor mechanism, without getting it all over the glass. The biggest reason for the power window motor failing, is because the grease that was applied 40 years ago, is no longer grease, but has become a hard, clay like substance that has no lubricating properties any longer. The motor has to fight this and it wears everything down.

You don't want to replace the power window motor in these cars, nor mess with the regulator! I have a '74 too and I've done it on the drivers side and made damn sure, the passenger side was cleaned up and relubricated! This is a really tough job, that you don't want to do, if you have to. Believe me!

 

Since you have a 74, I have one more issue. My horn wasn't working very well as far the loudness goes. Now it doesn't work at all. The dash doesn't come out for this does it. Any ideas. Haven't had this car long and trying to get the little things fixed. Thanks again

 

No.

 

You need to pull the horn button and check for corrosion and electrical contacts. Then trace the wiring back, to the power source and then out to the horn relay. You don't need to pull the dash (yet...).

You really, really need to order the FSM or Factory Service manual. You can often find them on Ebay. The AIM too, as that tells you how it's put together. I would order the AIM on CD next time, to make searching easier, because it's put together in really weird 'clumps' of data, that don't make sense (to us, but putting the car together at the factory, that's how it went...).

Also a multimeter is a priceless item to have with these cars! There is nothing easy about working on these vehicles. They are like nothing else, GM produces! You now own a C3 and to own these cars, there are only two alternatives for fixing them: You fix it, but you should be prepared to buy a pretty decent, well-equipped tool kit, be mechanically proficient or at least have a talent for learning and researching OR, find a really good mechanic, who is comfortable with working on Corvettes and does quality work.

They are tough cars to work on, with very tight space limits under the dash and in the engine compartment. In fact, I have ordered rubber mats, just so I can lay across the door sill, while working under the dash, upside down and looking up, while trying to find room for my arms, to even get into the right angles, to fit my hands, into an impossibly small area, deep up in there, while sweating like a pig, cussing like a sailor and hurting like a dog.

 

Thanks I'll to that