C3 Power Windows
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Texas
C3 Power Windows
I know it's a crime to not post a picture so before I even get the ball rolling...
I'm trying to restore my c3, and I'm not really interested in staying stock. I do however want to get my electric windows working again. One side is working(kinda), but the other one seems to have stopped. I had the window motor replaced and the regulator and window installed, however, it was getting stuck. I'd tap on the motor and it'd free up and work for a while, but then it'd stick again and stop working. I think at this point I've broken my motor. No amount of tapping on it is working. I tried to install this myself and had hours of trouble with the regulator, spring, motor, window... you name it and it happened.
Does anyone have any advice on getting this working so I can get my door panels back on? Should I replace the regulator at the same time as the motor? Should I make sure that I replace all the door guides for the glass as well? Thanks for the help.
I'm trying to restore my c3, and I'm not really interested in staying stock. I do however want to get my electric windows working again. One side is working(kinda), but the other one seems to have stopped. I had the window motor replaced and the regulator and window installed, however, it was getting stuck. I'd tap on the motor and it'd free up and work for a while, but then it'd stick again and stop working. I think at this point I've broken my motor. No amount of tapping on it is working. I tried to install this myself and had hours of trouble with the regulator, spring, motor, window... you name it and it happened.
Does anyone have any advice on getting this working so I can get my door panels back on? Should I replace the regulator at the same time as the motor? Should I make sure that I replace all the door guides for the glass as well? Thanks for the help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Are you sure the power to the motor is not shorting out. Do you have a test light? Often times the wires going through the door post break from opening and closing and sort out. Its the first place I would look. 
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I did have a short in the wiring harness that connected to the switch. I've replaced that and I'm fairly sure that it is getting power. I can check it again. I do notice that when I press the switch up or down the under dash light dims.
I'll let you know what I find.
I'll let you know what I find.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Here's what I replaced. The part that connects to the bottom of the switch. I didn't pull the wires from the old one and try to rig it back in there (it looked like that had already been done many times before).
When I get some time tonight, I'll get my voltmeter out and check the wires where they plug into the window motor.
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Texas
The motor is mounted to the door. The door should be grounded. Mind you this window USED to go up and down. I haven't checked the relay, but I'm looking at my wiring diagram now, and both windows use the same relay. The passenger side window does go up and down, not perfect but it is working. This tells me that the relay is working. I have the feeling that the motor on the driver door used to go beyond the distance it was supposed to. This was in the down position. I'm sure I had the metal locks in place to stop it before it went too far.
I guess what I'm asking for is if anyone has experience working on electric windows in a c3, and what I should do to make things work right the first time. At this point I'd be more than willing to take it to someone who has done this a million times and can make it work RIGHT. I can see why the previous owner of this vette wanted to make it crank windows.
I guess what I'm asking for is if anyone has experience working on electric windows in a c3, and what I should do to make things work right the first time. At this point I'd be more than willing to take it to someone who has done this a million times and can make it work RIGHT. I can see why the previous owner of this vette wanted to make it crank windows.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
The motor is mounted to the door. The door should be grounded. Mind you this window USED to go up and down. I haven't checked the relay, but I'm looking at my wiring diagram now, and both windows use the same relay. The passenger side window does go up and down, not perfect but it is working. This tells me that the relay is working. I have the feeling that the motor on the driver door used to go beyond the distance it was supposed to. This was in the down position. I'm sure I had the metal locks in place to stop it before it went too far.
I guess what I'm asking for is if anyone has experience working on electric windows in a c3, and what I should do to make things work right the first time. At this point I'd be more than willing to take it to someone who has done this a million times and can make it work RIGHT. I can see why the previous owner of this vette wanted to make it crank windows.
I guess what I'm asking for is if anyone has experience working on electric windows in a c3, and what I should do to make things work right the first time. At this point I'd be more than willing to take it to someone who has done this a million times and can make it work RIGHT. I can see why the previous owner of this vette wanted to make it crank windows.
As you know the motor grounds to the door. If there is paint between the motor and door mount it won't ground right and will stop randomly. make sure you have a good ground.
Now if its drawing power and jams to a stop thats another problem.
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Is it getting stuck or is it stopping? when it stops can you tell if its still drawing power?
As you know the motor grounds to the door. If there is paint between the motor and door mount it won't ground right and will stop randomly. make sure you have a good ground.
Now if its drawing power and jams to a stop thats another problem.
Jim
As you know the motor grounds to the door. If there is paint between the motor and door mount it won't ground right and will stop randomly. make sure you have a good ground.
Now if its drawing power and jams to a stop thats another problem.
Jim
I'm afraid to take it apart without being able to put it back together correctly over a weekend because I don't have it in a garage. It is covered, but wind could blow rain in, or someone could walk by and take my t-tops. Who knows...
Last edited by waddell; May 3, 2012 at 10:08 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,713
Likes: 550
From: Seattle Washington
I went threw this same thing not long ago. You should be able to pull the plug off the Motor and check the Voltage at the Plug when You move the Switch. If You have power then it is probably the Motor. But it sounds like You suspect Window regulator problems so it could just be that everything is just jammed. The Regulator was Riveted in from the Factory and will be bolted in if it has been removed. They are a bunch of parts that can be installed upside down or backwards or not in the slot or ???. The Factory service manual has all the same pictures as the AIM concerning the Doors You may want to study them. If You use the Search on this site You will find a lot of good info on replaceing the Motor. Some of them replace it with out removeing the regulator I chose not to do it this way as with out removeing the Regulator there is no way to Clean the old grease out properly. If You can get your hands on a replacement motor You can plug it in with out removeing anything from the Door to test. I found todays replacement Motors all come from China, I was able to find a NOS one on e-bay, it was made in 1995 and was made in Mexico. Good Luck.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Texas
If the motor is freezing up, would it likely be due to the regulator being bent or in a bind, OR the motor is broken or ready to break? In other words, should I replace motor and regulator, or just regulator at this point?
It's so hard to tell if something is bent or broken when I only have itself to compare to. I can pull the motor and hook it up to a 12v battery to test the motor, but again if it's going out I should replace it right away. I did the repair kit on the teeth of the old regulator, but it may not have been perfectly centered. The old teeth were simply a mess. I'll probably use my credit at the local corvette shop and get a new one.
What kind of lubrication should I use on the rollers and sliders? Also how well should they spin/slide once cleaned up?
How tight should the spring on the regulator be?
I've printed out everything I have on the window, tracks, regulator, motor and door. I'm ready to tackle the job, I just want to make sure that I can do it over a weekend, and that means being prepared for whatever can happen. I don't have this car garage kept currently and prying hands and the elements can be a nasty combination.
It's so hard to tell if something is bent or broken when I only have itself to compare to. I can pull the motor and hook it up to a 12v battery to test the motor, but again if it's going out I should replace it right away. I did the repair kit on the teeth of the old regulator, but it may not have been perfectly centered. The old teeth were simply a mess. I'll probably use my credit at the local corvette shop and get a new one.
What kind of lubrication should I use on the rollers and sliders? Also how well should they spin/slide once cleaned up?
How tight should the spring on the regulator be?
I've printed out everything I have on the window, tracks, regulator, motor and door. I'm ready to tackle the job, I just want to make sure that I can do it over a weekend, and that means being prepared for whatever can happen. I don't have this car garage kept currently and prying hands and the elements can be a nasty combination.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 414
Likes: 55
From: Humboldt county Ca
I've had both motors and regulators out more than once, Ended up replacing both motors.
You can pull the regulator and motor out all at one time after removing the side glass. Bench it and hook 12 volts up to one of the spades in the motor socket where it plugs in. Connect the ground to the motor body. Keep your fingers well away from the regulator assembly! The motor will operate the regulator if it is capable and there is no window glass weight on it. You will easily find any regulator malfunctions with it on the bench.Catch 23-----If the motor and regulator work ok the motor may still not lift the window with the glass weight on it. Check to make sure the motor to regulator bolts are tight and the motor is not binding or that you have broken motor teeth jambing the regulator. I did all this twice and found that both motors needed to be replaced. The good news is that my windows go up and down faster than a 747 now.
Good luck.
Stump
You can pull the regulator and motor out all at one time after removing the side glass. Bench it and hook 12 volts up to one of the spades in the motor socket where it plugs in. Connect the ground to the motor body. Keep your fingers well away from the regulator assembly! The motor will operate the regulator if it is capable and there is no window glass weight on it. You will easily find any regulator malfunctions with it on the bench.Catch 23-----If the motor and regulator work ok the motor may still not lift the window with the glass weight on it. Check to make sure the motor to regulator bolts are tight and the motor is not binding or that you have broken motor teeth jambing the regulator. I did all this twice and found that both motors needed to be replaced. The good news is that my windows go up and down faster than a 747 now.
Good luck.
Stump
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,713
Likes: 550
From: Seattle Washington
Probably the best thing You can do before you start is to take a spray can of light colored paint and give all the ajustment bolts a light coat. This way when You are putting it all back togeather You will see right away where it was when You started. Also have a look at how well the Window fits before You start.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 67
From: Midland Ontario
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Probably the best thing You can do before you start is to take a spray can of light colored paint and give all the ajustment bolts a light coat. This way when You are putting it all back togeather You will see right away where it was when You started. Also have a look at how well the Window fits before You start.
VERY good advice....
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Texas
After all the hub ub, I went to take everything out tonight. I decided after I started loosening the bolts, that I should try to roll the window down to help get it all out. Turns out that the regulator WAS in a bind. The window started working again. I tightened everything down as it was at that moment, and I'm going to use it and see if I continue to have issues. If I do, I'll adjust as needed. Maybe I won't have to replace anything.
Thanks again for all the information. The paint trick is such a great idea.
Thanks again for all the information. The paint trick is such a great idea.
