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1977 Power Window Problems

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Old Apr 13, 2011 | 06:10 PM
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Default 1977 Power Window Problems

Both my windows quit today. I have 12volts through my switches. If I'm reading everything right that would mean the the 30A circuit breaker, relay, and switches are good. When you press each switch in either direction you can see a drop in volts on the gage in the dash. Does this mean both motors quit at exactly the same time without any prior indication? Or is there something else I can check? Thanks for your help.
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Old Apr 13, 2011 | 06:18 PM
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Im not that great with electrical but the motors ground through the door frame. I believe if moving switch in both directions causes voltage drop it may be the motor. You can try tapping on motor itself while applying power to see if it will free enough to move. Roger would be your best help.
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Old Apr 13, 2011 | 07:22 PM
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I have a 77 electrical schematic at home. When I get off work i'll look it up. Maybe I can scan it and post it up for you.
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Old Apr 14, 2011 | 05:53 AM
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Thanks for the replies. I'll pull the door panels off and check the motors. They're only about three years old and seems a little odd both would quit like that.
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Old Apr 14, 2011 | 06:39 AM
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Hi dlarimer
I had the same dilema. After changing the switches the windows worked only when I moved the wires under the console.I found that the relay had rusty terminals and one of the wires had some corrosion.After repairing this, both windows now work 100% of the time.
I don't know if that helps you, but I thought the same as you did when both windows didn't work on my 77....I was lucky
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Old Apr 14, 2011 | 10:25 AM
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also grab the wires in the loom that goes from door to the scuttle area and move those while you are operating the switch....perhaps they are internally broken and badly frayed like mine was
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Old Apr 14, 2011 | 06:53 PM
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Got 'em up. Did what Timsride said, I took the door panels off and banged on the motors while applying power. The passenger side took a little more banging. There was another electrical plug not plugged to anything in the driver door any one know what that might be for? Thanks for everyone's help.
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Old Apr 14, 2011 | 09:17 PM
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If you have a late production 77 without the antitheft switch on the left front fender, the alarm is (was) armed by locking the driver's door. If your alarm does not work it is possibly because the lock cylinders on your car have been changed or modified. That is most likely the extra wiring in your door.
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Old Mar 18, 2014 | 11:40 PM
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I have a 77 and both windows worked fine. I pulled the dash apart to change the speedo cable. When I put it back together, both windows don't work now. I have power going to the relay by the shifter but nothing coming out to the window switches. Did I pull a ground out or any help would be great......
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Old Mar 19, 2014 | 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by dlarimer
Thanks for the replies. I'll pull the door panels off and check the motors. They're only about three years old and seems a little odd both would quit like that.
You probably lost the ground. I think one of the grounds is common. Usually breaks where the wire passes through the door.

Pull the door panel or maybe you don't have to. Easy test run a ground from the black on the battery to any place you see metal on the door....along the bottom should do provided there is a place with no paint.

Jim
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Old Mar 19, 2014 | 07:04 PM
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Originally Posted by c4422168
I have a 77 and both windows worked fine. I pulled the dash apart to change the speedo cable. When I put it back together, both windows don't work now. I have power going to the relay by the shifter but nothing coming out to the window switches. Did I pull a ground out or any help would be great......
You likely pulled the wire loose from the fuse box that triggers the window relay.
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Old Feb 9, 2023 | 08:06 PM
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Corvette Forum to the rescue again. After spending hours checking electrical connections and voltage readings I took your advice
banged on the power window motor with a rubber mallet while applying power from the switch. The motor kicked in and works perfectly.
Thanks again for the tip. Jerbar
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