Help! 1985 Window Regulator?
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Joined: May 2021
Posts: 64
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From: New York
Help! 1985 Window Regulator?
New to having a Corvette! Yesterday I rolled the window down in my 85 Corvette and heard this kind of a cluck nose from the window long story short it wont roll back up. You can hear the motor trying to do its thing so its clearly not the motor I called my local mechanic who claims its the window regulator, personally I think its the Track tape ribbon but my window has rolled up slow for the past 4 months (sense I've owned it). I'm not mechanically inclined enough to fix it myself. The real question is where do I find a regulator that doesn't need to be moded I only see ones that are supposed to be for all c4 years but like I said need to be moded to fit in the earlier models, but how do I know If I even need it and not just the ribbon cable!
Last edited by JackCorvette85; Aug 27, 2021 at 10:10 AM. Reason: Add more
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
New to having a Corvette! Yesterday I rolled the window down in my 85 Corvette and heard this kind of a cluck nose from the window long story short it wont roll back up. You can hear the motor trying to do its thing so its clearly not the motor I called my local mechanic who claims its the window regulator, personally I think its the Track tape ribbon but my window has rolled up slow for the past 4 months (sense I've owned it). I'm not mechanically inclined enough to fix it myself. The real question is where do I find a regulator that doesn't need to be moded I only see ones that are supposed to be for all c4 years but like I said need to be moded to fit in the earlier models, but how do I know If I even need it and not just the ribbon cable!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/16503352971...0AAOSw8glhJBQJ
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 64
Likes: 2
From: New York
It's most certainly the ribbon as you suspect. You can repair it, but you'll always be happy that you upgraded to the newer type used late1986 on. Window goes up much faster
https://www.ebay.com/itm/16503352971...0AAOSw8glhJBQJ
https://www.ebay.com/itm/16503352971...0AAOSw8glhJBQJ
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,941
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From: New Jersey
The regulator has to come out to replace the ribbon anyway... at least I took out mine to make it easier... so it really is easier to just install the updated assembly as you're just swapping the part vs drilling rivets and feeding in a new ribbon on top of removal and installation. Ironically after replacing my ribbon the window goes up and down plenty fast. The passenger side is however really slow.
Last edited by 84 4+3; Aug 27, 2021 at 12:44 PM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 64
Likes: 2
From: New York
The regulator has to come out to replace the ribbon anyway... at least I took out mine to make it easier... so it really is easier to just install the updated assembly as you're just swapping the part vs drilling rivets and feeding in a new ribbon on top of removal and installation. Ironically after replacing my ribbon the window goes up and down plenty fast. The passenger side is however really slow.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
It's only a matter of drilling one hole in the bottom of the door for the different mount. Plenty of utube videos show how. Nothing a competent mechanic can't handle
Last edited by Cruisinfanatic; Aug 27, 2021 at 06:11 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 96
From: Magnolia Tx
I put ribbons in mine when i first got it. Its a lot of work. When one failed again, i acquired a pair of good used later model regulators. I haven't had any more issues. As the others have said, its easier to swap them than repair the old style.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 5
Doing any kind of work in the door sucks. The plastic clips are brittle and break if you look at them wrong. Also there are a lot of sharp edges in there, so wear long sleeves. When I replaced my ribbon, I ordered it from Ecklers for like $45. When it showed up it was in a HELP package like they sell at O'reilly. It says on the package "fits Chrysler" O'reilly had the same ribbon for $13.
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