Power Windows Stopped Working
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Power Windows Stopped Working
Just bought a 1978 Vett TODAY. Everything was working on it until I tried rolling up both windows at the same time. They both immediately quit working and I ended up driving 2 hours home in the rain with both windows half rolled up. Currently have some fans drying out the interior, but while I wait I'd like to get some ideas for what the cause could be and how to check and fix it.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,258
Likes: 950
From: Lake Tahoe, CA
First check the fuse. They list one to 77' then skip to 79 so I'm thinking 78' is very similar.
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/1...te-fuse-panel/
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/1...te-fuse-panel/
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
Congratulations on your purchase. Welcome to the wonderful world of fixing old Corvettes 
Not sure if your windows have a fuse or a circuit breaker. The fuse box is up above the driver's left foot. Like everyone you'll say some choice words about the location and how difficult to access '77 still uses glass cartridge fuses. If the windows have a circuit breaker it looks like a little aluminum covered box. The circuit breakers are supposed to self-reset but they don't always.
Anyhow the fuse should not blow when operating both windows at the same time. Once you get them running see if one (or both) go down significantly faster than they go up. If so, the assist spring is broken and needs to be replaced. It's not a terrible job but in all likelihood you also need to completely disassemble the mechanism(s), clean, relubricate and replace worn rollers, weather seals etc. Work on your second door will go much faster than the first! Don't wait until the motor(s) go out as it's significantly easier when they're working and you can get the glass into the mechanism into the proper position for removal.
Not sure if your windows have a fuse or a circuit breaker. The fuse box is up above the driver's left foot. Like everyone you'll say some choice words about the location and how difficult to access
'77 still uses glass cartridge fuses. If the windows have a circuit breaker it looks like a little aluminum covered box. The circuit breakers are supposed to self-reset but they don't always.Anyhow the fuse should not blow when operating both windows at the same time. Once you get them running see if one (or both) go down significantly faster than they go up. If so, the assist spring is broken and needs to be replaced. It's not a terrible job but in all likelihood you also need to completely disassemble the mechanism(s), clean, relubricate and replace worn rollers, weather seals etc. Work on your second door will go much faster than the first! Don't wait until the motor(s) go out as it's significantly easier when they're working and you can get the glass into the mechanism into the proper position for removal.
Last edited by SwampeastMike; Sep 30, 2019 at 03:32 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
Glad it was a simple fix. Made a stupid mistake in my previous message--the fuse should not blow when operating both windows at the same time. Don't forget to see if the window(s) go down much faster than they go up! If so the assist spring is broken and it will kill the motor.
