Power window not working. HELP!!!!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
Power window not working. HELP!!!!!
Need advice on how to test my power window motor. One day it worked... next day nothing. Checked the switch and I have a good reading on it, both up and down. Noticed the plastic backing on the window switch, where the wiring plugs in, had started to melt at some point... must likely just prior to failure. Is there any device, besides the fuse box, between the power switch and the motor? There's always something to fix..... :confused: :cry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Power window not working. HELP!!!!! (7Roadster5)
I don't have access to a wiring diagram (I'm at work, but I suspect that there is probably a relay somewhere in the circuit that has failed. I think the relay (this is from memory) is under the console. Sometimes those old metal can relays after years of use the contacts will carbon up and they will quit working,
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Re: Power window not working. HELP!!!!! (7Roadster5)
My power windows quit on me last year. It was a real pill to fix, so, I hope I can help a fellow Tidewater Vette guy avoid some of the hangups I had.
Yes, there is a relay. The relay should be under the shifting plate, close to your radio. (Well, mine was, but the previous owner was very creative.) This could be your problem, however, my problem was much harder to figure out. After trying everything, I found that the wires in my door jamb had flexed excessively with each opening and closing and had actually broken. Sometimes the wires would touch and the window would work, other times, nothing worked. I hope this isn't your problem because it's not fun running the wires.
I'll watch the thread and see if I can offer any other advice.
By the way, what color is your 75 Roadster?
Stephen
Yes, there is a relay. The relay should be under the shifting plate, close to your radio. (Well, mine was, but the previous owner was very creative.) This could be your problem, however, my problem was much harder to figure out. After trying everything, I found that the wires in my door jamb had flexed excessively with each opening and closing and had actually broken. Sometimes the wires would touch and the window would work, other times, nothing worked. I hope this isn't your problem because it's not fun running the wires.
I'll watch the thread and see if I can offer any other advice.
By the way, what color is your 75 Roadster?
Stephen
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: Power window not working. HELP!!!!! (VolVette)
Quote: "I found that the wires in my door jamb had flexed excessively with each opening and closing and had actually broken."
While I haven't had the above on my '81 vette, I did have the very same thing happen to my wife's Dodge Caravan electric door locks. I found one completly separated wire, and maybe three others that were badly cracked and ready to break into two pieces from the constant bending of the door opening and closing.............some kind of design flaw, if you ask me.........but a good thing to check
While I haven't had the above on my '81 vette, I did have the very same thing happen to my wife's Dodge Caravan electric door locks. I found one completly separated wire, and maybe three others that were badly cracked and ready to break into two pieces from the constant bending of the door opening and closing.............some kind of design flaw, if you ask me.........but a good thing to check
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 272
Likes: 1
From: MOBILE ALA
Re: Power window not working. HELP!!!!! (VolVette)
Had the same problem with broken wires in the door also.On my 75 the relay is under the shift plate.I also had to replace the wiring connections at the switches.Not a bad job,just takes a while.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Chapel Hill NC
Re: Power window not working. HELP!!!!! (7Roadster5)
Since the connector looked partially melted on the back of the switch, you probably do not have the relay. All the power goes through the switch, like my 75. You'll probably have to carefully pull(or pry) the connector off the switch and use a dremel with small wire wheel, clean the contacts. Then make sure you are getting full power to the window. To make sure you have power to the window motor(and no broken wires); a fast test is to watch for the interior lights to dim when you activate the switch. The next place is the connector on the back of the window motor itself. This corrodes pretty badly due to wet area. you can stick a test light into the back of the connector and see if you have power to there(test to ground moving probe to opposite pins as you activate the switch). A voltmeter is not too good for this testing as it doesn't load the circuit very much. After you have cleaned the contacts, put some silicone grease(plumbing in home depot) into the contacts, should last a lot longer.
goodluck
Jim
goodluck
Jim
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Butler nj
Re: Power window not working. HELP!!!!! (7Roadster5)
If both windows stopped working, then check for the relay (under the radio, and center console). Ground for the relay is made by contacting the metal frame that the relay is attached to. Remove the relay, and clean both surfaces.
[Modified by b&b76, 3:14 PM 2/23/2002]
[Modified by b&b76, 3:14 PM 2/23/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,457
Likes: 463
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Re: Power window not working. HELP!!!!! (J75)
Ditto on the "door jamb" wires on my '75 too!!! Must have been the reason for the low HP ratings in '75. :lol:
'75 A.I.R. delete, EFE delete, Fuel tank bladder delete, Catalytic converter delete, Hood airdoor delete, Vapor fuel line delete, Heat riser delete otherwise 100% original
:lol:
'75 A.I.R. delete, EFE delete, Fuel tank bladder delete, Catalytic converter delete, Hood airdoor delete, Vapor fuel line delete, Heat riser delete otherwise 100% original
:lol:
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