Window switches
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
I an unaware of any vendor selling a decent replacement for the original C3 window switches. Your best bet would be to disassemble and clean the originals. An alternative would be to find some salvaged switches and clean them up.
Your last resort would be to use the aftermarket switches, but install relays with them so that only low power is sent through those chinzy switches. If you decide to do this, I'm sure some folks on this Forum can guide you on what relay[s] to use and how to wire them. Since the power leads and signal wiring are already in the e-brake housing, I'm sure the relay[s] can be mounted inside that housing, also.
Your last resort would be to use the aftermarket switches, but install relays with them so that only low power is sent through those chinzy switches. If you decide to do this, I'm sure some folks on this Forum can guide you on what relay[s] to use and how to wire them. Since the power leads and signal wiring are already in the e-brake housing, I'm sure the relay[s] can be mounted inside that housing, also.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Mar 13, 2016 at 04:44 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 339
Likes: 54
From: Fayetteville NC
I an unaware of any vendor selling a decent replacement for the original C3 window switches. Your best bet would be to disassemble and clean the originals. An alternative would be to find some salvaged switches and clean them up.
Your last resort would be to use the aftermarket switches, but install relays with them so that only low power is sent through those chinzy switches. If you decide to do this, I'm sure some folks on this Forum can guide you on what relay[s] to use and how to wire them. Since the power leads and signal wiring are already in the e-brake housing, I'm sure the relay[s] can be mounted inside that housing, also.
Your last resort would be to use the aftermarket switches, but install relays with them so that only low power is sent through those chinzy switches. If you decide to do this, I'm sure some folks on this Forum can guide you on what relay[s] to use and how to wire them. Since the power leads and signal wiring are already in the e-brake housing, I'm sure the relay[s] can be mounted inside that housing, also.
The olds work fine but look bad. Th chrome is peeling. I'm redoing my interior and want the new chrome look. You're probably right on the quality now a days. I took a punch on the sides to squeeze the terminal board tighter and hope it doesn't, come off again.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,334
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
I an unaware of any vendor selling a decent replacement for the original C3 window switches. Your best bet would be to disassemble and clean the originals. An alternative would be to find some salvaged switches and clean them up.
Since the power leads and signal wiring are already in the e-brake housing, I'm sure the relay[s] can be mounted inside that housing, also.
Since the power leads and signal wiring are already in the e-brake housing, I'm sure the relay[s] can be mounted inside that housing, also.
I've not seen a good set of repros'. Cleaning up your originals or a set of originals, is likely the best betAlthough I went a completely different route, the relays tuck nicely onto each side of the reinforcement
M
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,033
Likes: 503
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
I found out on this forum that I had installed my used 68 power window system switches backwards. But It made more sense to me to have to push the switch button forward and down to lower the windows. Back and up for up.
Who agrees with me? Oh, my wife's old 1989 Beretta had center console switches and they operated the same way as my orientation. Lou.
Who agrees with me? Oh, my wife's old 1989 Beretta had center console switches and they operated the same way as my orientation. Lou.
Last edited by loup68; Mar 13, 2016 at 07:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 339
Likes: 54
From: Fayetteville NC
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 339
Likes: 54
From: Fayetteville NC
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 66
From: Killeen Texas
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The reproductions we carry are having a pretty decent run of not falling apart.... but personally I don't trust them. All the switches available new are imported.
Easy solution is to rebuild your originals...
We are going to start offering them soon on our site but below is a video that will help you do this.
Easy solution is to rebuild your originals...
We are going to start offering them soon on our site but below is a video that will help you do this. Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Mar 13, 2016 at 10:14 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 339
Likes: 54
From: Fayetteville NC
Not much of a difference between the originals and aftermarket. The problem is the workmanship of putting them together. I ended up notching out the switch housing sides a little more and bending the tabs over the back plate and then applied some epoxy to hold it together. Works great now. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Sorry to disagree, but there is a LOT of difference between 'original' and aftermarket switches. Yes, they LOOK a lot alike. But the materials with which they are constructed, the quality of the contacts, circuit plate, and chrome plating are considerably different. The originals have lasted (and worked well) for at least 30 years without problems. I have heard MANY cases of folks installing aftermarket switches and having them experience the same failure symptoms in less than 1 year. They are nothing alike...except for appearance.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 39
From: Beautiful East Texas
I'm going to go the relay route next time mine give me trouble... had mine apart and sanded the contacts and they're both work in fine for the moment. I'm sure it's only a temporary condition though...
mardyn
mardyn
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 66
From: Killeen Texas
What switches did you use? Picture of the top side please..
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,334
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Hi Tim
My paddle switches were original and although they worked fine I just wanted a change so I went a completely different route
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-finished.html
M
My paddle switches were original and although they worked fine I just wanted a change so I went a completely different route
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-finished.html
M
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 390
Likes: 8
From: Louisiana
My reproduction switches make popping noises after pushing them for a few seconds. I also had to glue one of them to keep it from falling apart right out of the box. Original switches are the way to go.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
Sorry to disagree, but there is a LOT of difference between 'original' and aftermarket switches. Yes, they LOOK a lot alike. But the materials with which they are constructed, the quality of the contacts, circuit plate, and chrome plating are considerably different. The originals have lasted (and worked well) for at least 30 years without problems. I have heard MANY cases of folks installing aftermarket switches and having them experience the same failure symptoms in less than 1 year. They are nothing alike...except for appearance.
100% to that. I HATE IT when I have customers bring new switches by and have me install them....and when they fail (and they do in time)...they come back and look at ME...and I say: "The switch is what YOU gave me....and it is still installed an connected....so...what am I supposed to do????"
It is a never ending cycle that started decades ago that will not stop. IF parts are made cheap and crappy to save MONEY and brought in by a freighter....and people BUY THEM....then those who make them will NOT change the design because they know people are willing to buy CRAP.
DUB
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 339
Likes: 54
From: Fayetteville NC
Sorry to disagree, but there is a LOT of difference between 'original' and aftermarket switches. Yes, they LOOK a lot alike. But the materials with which they are constructed, the quality of the contacts, circuit plate, and chrome plating are considerably different. The originals have lasted (and worked well) for at least 30 years without problems. I have heard MANY cases of folks installing aftermarket switches and having them experience the same failure symptoms in less than 1 year. They are nothing alike...except for appearance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 1,192
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I thought mine were original but turned out to be reproductions. And failed, just like the replacements I purchased.
Searched for second hand or NOS corvette ones and in end got a couple of Cadillac ones that look the same for less than half what was being asked for nos corvette ones.
Just need to fit them now
Searched for second hand or NOS corvette ones and in end got a couple of Cadillac ones that look the same for less than half what was being asked for nos corvette ones.
Just need to fit them now
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 339
Likes: 54
From: Fayetteville NC
Well, I got the new ones installed after applying some epoxy on the back side to keep the switch board intact with the switch. Seems to be working fine and only time will tell. The only thing I noticed on the original switches was the center prong on the switch was the same size as the other two and the new switch had a longer prong.I had to drill out the back plate on the plug to make it work.