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Power windows are moving to rapidly

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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 07:40 AM
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Default Power windows are moving to rapidly

I have replaced original power window motors with third party power window motors. In my opinion the windows are moving to rapidly, both, up and down. I guess this is due to the the third party motors do not followed the GM original spec.

I'm thinking this could be fixed by adding a resistance to lower the power going in to the motor.
What do you guys think? Can this work?

I didn't listen that well at the physic/electric lessons in school to remember how to calculate what resistance to use.
And first of all, I can't find a electric spec for the motors. The fuse is 30 amp, but that I guess covers both motors running in full at the same time.

Any one who has an ide on this ?
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 07:54 AM
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Here's the problem- If the motor draws constant current then the resistor will drop a constant voltage and the motor will run at a fixed (lower) speed.
However the motor will draw more current when starting up and as the load increases, causing higher voltage drop will reduce the speed even more.
Since the load is variable then speed regulation will be poor.

A PWM will work- but it's would be a lot of rewiring- and if the motor isn't isolated from ground-it won't work either.

Sorry- no easy fix-

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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 10:49 AM
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IMO the windows in mine are original and are the fastest windows i have seen both up and down.... did you replace non working windows?
maybe a vid? to compare?

Last edited by interpon; Aug 16, 2021 at 10:49 AM.
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 11:04 AM
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All original, never messed with 78, 30k miles; 2second windows up or down. My other 78 with new motors, switches and everything; took lots of messing around to get the window speed down to 3seconds.
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by interpon
IMO the windows in mine are original and are the fastest windows i have seen both up and down.... did you replace non working windows?
maybe a vid? to compare?
Okay. All the rest in my car is original C3, and in good condition.So maybe the C3 has the fastes windows on the market
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 12:04 PM
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My windows on the 77 are very fast too. Much faster than any modern electric windows.
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Old Aug 17, 2021 | 10:45 PM
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All C3 power windows went UP and DOWN quickly....when new. Problems that tend to make them run slower are (in order of highest probability(:
1. 'Dirty' contacts in the window switches. All motor current runs thru these switches and the contacts get 'carboned-up' from current-arcing. It would be best to use the switches to actuate relays that would pass that current.
2. Roller and slide mechanisms for the window are dirty, corroded, and/or gummed-up with 40+ year-old grease.
3. Windows are not adjusted to ride properly in the guide felts, etc.
4. Poor ground connection at motor housing.
5. Worn motors/brushes.
6. Bad wiring condition and/or fatigue damage on wires in door transfer boot.
As you can see, the motors themselves are not usually the problem with slow or malfunctioning power windows.

Last edited by 7T1vette; Aug 17, 2021 at 10:46 PM.
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Old Aug 18, 2021 | 12:08 PM
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Good to know this motor speed is a common issue. I've wondered if the PWs in my 1970 were designed by Dr. Guillotine.
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Old Aug 18, 2021 | 12:49 PM
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Windows all moved quickly when new. A 'nice, cozy slow' window means there is a 'current flow' or 'mechanical resistance' problem, somewhere.
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Old Aug 19, 2021 | 08:21 PM
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I installed a new motor and lubed the tracks while it was apart, way to fast , half second or less up or down , I’ll try lithium grease to slow down when my new door panels show up but I still think some of the speed is from the window motor
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Old Aug 20, 2021 | 02:12 PM
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All of the speed is the window motor. You could slow them down with a high current resistor in the circuit. IMO, when you get used to the 'normal' speed of the power windows, you will not have any issue with them.
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Old Aug 20, 2021 | 03:43 PM
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literally 1/2 second for full up or full down? that is much faster than normal.
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Old Aug 20, 2021 | 04:29 PM
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As a general rule, C3 Corvettes have some of the fastest power windows I've been around. My cousin had a new '82 and we called his windows "RFN" windows (right freakin' now).

DC

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Old Aug 20, 2021 | 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by REELAV8R
literally 1/2 second for full up or full down? that is much faster than normal.
lol..not a chance its half sec..but ya that would be a problem, i thought same

Last edited by interpon; Aug 20, 2021 at 06:46 PM.
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Old Aug 20, 2021 | 07:44 PM
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Maybe the aftermarket gear set (internally) is different than stock. Factory new C3 windows took about 1.0-1.5 seconds to open/close.
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Old Aug 20, 2021 | 08:00 PM
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I am the second owner of my car, and it's been in my life since... well, before I was born.

I have many memories of riding as a passenger in the car in the 80's, and the power windows were freaking fast back then. Over time, mine had slowed down quite a lot. They were rebuilt a couple years back, with the passenger side getting new everything. Driver's side got a new regulator.

7T1vette's post is pretty comprehensive, but missed one thing - there's a cap on the window motor that's fairly easily removed, in fact I think it may just slip on. Either way, you pull that and the gear out, and clean out all the old grease there. Replace it with new grease and that will speed the windows up as well.

I personally don't think it's an issue, but it's definitely something that takes some getting used to.

I can't tell you the number of times I rested my right arm on the passenger side window, only to have the 1st owner (my grandmother) raise the windows and scare the hell out of me when I was a young kid.
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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 01:08 AM
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Never had to dig into the 'gear box' on a window motor. Good tip. I'll put that one in my 'list'.
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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 02:02 AM
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It absolutely is a half second , up or down , the other three windows ( two 80’s) are fast but not half second like the lubed tracks and new motor
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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 07:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Eric P
It absolutely is a half second , up or down , the other three windows ( two 80’s) are fast but not half second like the lubed tracks and new motor
maybe take a video..we all may find the fastest oem comparison
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Old Aug 21, 2021 | 01:19 PM
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I just ran across this thread before installing a brand new motor and regulator into my passenger side door.

I cleaned all the tracks and lubed the rollers with a light coat of spray lithium grease.

For fun, I recorded the up time and down time.

Uo:





Down:


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