C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

1973 Power Window Problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 28, 2016 | 05:33 PM
  #1  
TheJinx's Avatar
TheJinx
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default 1973 Power Window Problem

in my 1973 Corvette stingray the driver side window won't roll up (it doesn't have power. I checked my switch & it's good. & I checked the power to the switch & the power is there. I bought a new power window motor & plugged it in but that also didn't fix it. what else could my problem be?
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2016 | 05:57 PM
  #2  
SwampeastMike's Avatar
SwampeastMike
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
Default

I believe that '73s have a power window relay. Sorry but I'm not certain of its location.
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2016 | 06:39 PM
  #3  
Peterbuilt's Avatar
Peterbuilt
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,411
Likes: 1,549
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Default

It could be a bad relay (which is under the shifter console) but first make sure that the PINK=BLACK is plugged into the fuse box.

Reply
Old Dec 28, 2016 | 08:59 PM
  #4  
lvmyvt76's Avatar
lvmyvt76
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
Default

could be a broken wire where the wire goes into the door?
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2016 | 10:04 PM
  #5  
stumpshot's Avatar
stumpshot
Racer
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 414
Likes: 55
From: Humboldt county Ca
Default

My $$$ would be on a broken wire at the door. I've had this same problem. Pull the accordion boot off between the door and the body and give the wires a little tug in both directions. More than likely that's the problem.
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2016 | 05:30 PM
  #6  
Doug1's Avatar
Doug1
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,688
Likes: 41
From: Palm Harbor, Florida
Default

Originally Posted by stumpshot
My $$$ would be on a broken wire at the door. I've had this same problem. Pull the accordion boot off between the door and the body and give the wires a little tug in both directions. More than likely that's the problem.
I tend to agree. I haven't had this exact problem with my c3, but I did with my c5, the connections in that plug, get loose.

I doubt the relay would only leave one door bad, but I could be wrong.


Keep your original motor if you haven't trashed it or used it as a core, not sure if there is a core charge on window motors.
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2016 | 07:05 PM
  #7  
DUB's Avatar
DUB
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
Default

I recently worked on one that had power to the motor but it was a really dirty connector. Once I cleaned it...the window worked. that is assuming that you have power at the connector.

DUB
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2016 | 07:32 PM
  #8  
OldCarBum's Avatar
OldCarBum
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,168
Likes: 7,952
From: Napa Valley California
Default

I had the same issue with my '73 when I brought it home. I tried to roll down the window and nothing. I went through the system and found all the electrical circuits were good. I was about to order the new motor when I accidentally hit the switch the wrong way and found that Bubba had installed the drivers side window switch upside down. It only cost me about two hours of wasted time. Good luck.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 2, 2017 | 12:52 AM
  #9  
TheJinx's Avatar
TheJinx
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by OldCarBum
I had the same issue with my '73 when I brought it home. I tried to roll down the window and nothing. I went through the system and found all the electrical circuits were good. I was about to order the new motor when I accidentally hit the switch the wrong way and found that Bubba had installed the drivers side window switch upside down. It only cost me about two hours of wasted time. Good luck.
Thank you for the reply! & my switches are upside down as well! haha
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2017 | 12:53 AM
  #10  
TheJinx's Avatar
TheJinx
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by DUB
I recently worked on one that had power to the motor but it was a really dirty connector. Once I cleaned it...the window worked. that is assuming that you have power at the connector.

DUB
I'll definitely check my connector! Thank you!
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2017 | 12:54 AM
  #11  
TheJinx's Avatar
TheJinx
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by stumpshot
My $$$ would be on a broken wire at the door. I've had this same problem. Pull the accordion boot off between the door and the body and give the wires a little tug in both directions. More than likely that's the problem.
I've thought about checking the door I just never got to it haha i'll definitely check that now! Thank you!
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2017 | 12:55 AM
  #12  
TheJinx's Avatar
TheJinx
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by lvmyvt76
could be a broken wire where the wire goes into the door?
Possibly. Thank you!
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2017 | 10:59 PM
  #13  
OldCarBum's Avatar
OldCarBum
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,168
Likes: 7,952
From: Napa Valley California
Default

Well, it sounds like Bubba is learning. At least on your '73 he installed them both upside down
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2017 | 09:00 AM
  #14  
Cavu2u's Avatar
Cavu2u
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Default

Originally Posted by OldCarBum
Well, it sounds like Bubba is learning. At least on your '73 he installed them both upside down
Folks,

I'm assuming upside down means pushing the switch forward or down, the window operates UP, and pulling the switch back or up, the window operates DOWN.

There's a fix for that.
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/c.../power-window/

Or, Bubba took the switch apart to clean it, and put it back together with the plug board oriented 180 degrees out.

Sorry for the hijack Jinx. Hope your fix is a simple one.

Steve
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 1973 Power Window Problem





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:39 AM.

story-0
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-7
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE