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C3 Window problems

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Old Mar 27, 2007 | 12:17 PM
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Default C3 Window problems

I am having a bad week trying to get the old 80 ready for the spring drive. Just replaced rotors, calipers, break lines, and now The passenger Window will not go down. I switched the harness from the right to the left switch but still nothing. I would think that the switches are ok or it would have worked when I switched them. I am lost so I need help. Just as a note, last year prior to storage the window worked but it jerked down very fast almost like it was dropping at a high rate of speed. Any help is greatly appreciated. we are finally having 60 degree weather in Wisconsin and the vette wants to go out
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Old Mar 27, 2007 | 12:32 PM
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your going to need to pull the door panel and get in there with a voltmeter or test light to see whats going on. The motor has a connector with 2 pins, one up one down, ground is thru the case
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Old Mar 27, 2007 | 03:05 PM
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Since changing the switches, I'm guessing it's the wiring to the motor or between them motor and the switches. You will have to pull the door panel to have a look though. It could even just be a bad ground.

How do the wiring harness at the window switches look? I have one with a loose wire. It looks fine at a glance, but up close you can see the connection has corroded and almost broken free.
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Old Mar 27, 2007 | 03:16 PM
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I will take the door panel off as soon as I get out of the office and check all connections to see if anything is loose. I will then give an update if the problem persist. Thanks on the initial help with this mind buggling issue.

The wiring harness by the switches looked good to me, no corrosion or loose wires that I could tell.

Last edited by cs_sas; Mar 27, 2007 at 03:18 PM.
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Old Mar 27, 2007 | 04:36 PM
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My 78 had window issues. It turned out the motors worked fine. It was the regulators that had gone bad. When we pulled the regulators, the helical spring was broken in several location....one was so rusty is fell apart.
We end up replacing the entire regulator assembly with some rebuilts.
During assembly we repacked the motor gear with grease, and the windows have been working since. I only regret not replacing the window bushings and rollers....would have made the job 100%.
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Old Mar 27, 2007 | 04:44 PM
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You neglected to mention whether or not you could hear the motor running when you operated the switch. From you discussion of the "window dropping", I would guess that some key component in the lifting mechanism [scissors arms] failed. If so, you would hear the motor run, but nothing would happen. If the motor does NOT turn, it could be wiring, or it could be the motor.
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Old Mar 27, 2007 | 09:40 PM
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Most times the prongs on the motor where the plug goes on have rust on them. Unplug the motor and file the prongs and try it. Also if that doesn't work hold the switch on and tap the motor with a small hammer and see if that makes it work.

This is also a good time to lube the window tracks and the door latch.
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