1988 Power window stuck down - what broke ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 4
From: Cairns Australia
1988 Power window stuck down - what broke ?
My power window has sometimes been making a slight sqwaking noise for the last few weeks.
Tonight I wound it down and as it hit bottom there was a snap/crack noise and it refuses to come up.
The motor is working, I can hear it. I removed the door panel and can see a web shaped metal plate with teeth on the outer curve - it's moving around from up to down.
I lifted the window by hand, but there is no connection to this web - what should it connect to ?
I have the GM Manual but can't find any info on the window mechanism (although I'm sure it's there somewhere)
Does my window have the plastic strip I've seen in the catalogues or is there a gear wheel which has broken or has a part come adrift or popped off?
It's not easy to see or get into the door so I'd appreciate any info, thanks
S'nut
Tonight I wound it down and as it hit bottom there was a snap/crack noise and it refuses to come up.
The motor is working, I can hear it. I removed the door panel and can see a web shaped metal plate with teeth on the outer curve - it's moving around from up to down.
I lifted the window by hand, but there is no connection to this web - what should it connect to ?
I have the GM Manual but can't find any info on the window mechanism (although I'm sure it's there somewhere)
Does my window have the plastic strip I've seen in the catalogues or is there a gear wheel which has broken or has a part come adrift or popped off?
It's not easy to see or get into the door so I'd appreciate any info, thanks
S'nut
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: 1988 Power window stuck down - what broke ? (Stingraynut)
On pp 5-4 you will find a pic of the window regulator and it's attachment to the door.
Your setup doesn't have that ribbon found in earlier C4s. The motor drives the sissor part of the regulator directly, to which the bottom of the window glass is attached.
When mine failed the regulator had separated so that the part driven by the motor gear would rotate but could not move the sissor up/down to control the window position.
To remove the regulator with it's motor it's necessary to first remove the door panel and also the tin panel covering the rectangular assess opening.
I got a new regulator assembly from Contemporary Corvette, link on my site (see sig. below).
Your setup doesn't have that ribbon found in earlier C4s. The motor drives the sissor part of the regulator directly, to which the bottom of the window glass is attached.
When mine failed the regulator had separated so that the part driven by the motor gear would rotate but could not move the sissor up/down to control the window position.
To remove the regulator with it's motor it's necessary to first remove the door panel and also the tin panel covering the rectangular assess opening.
I got a new regulator assembly from Contemporary Corvette, link on my site (see sig. below).
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 4
From: Cairns Australia
Re: 1988 Power window stuck down - what broke ? (65Z01)
Thanks 65Z01 pp5-4 - wish they'd put an index by named part in the manual.
I have the metal inner door panel off and can see the problem - as you said - the join has disconnected between part driven by motor (I called it a web) and the scissor part .
I'd like to fix this part myself, for 3 reasons - firstly I'm in Australia so ordering parts takes time, secondly the price looks to be over US$250 and I'm a mean skinflint and thirdly, it looks fixable. (or is that 4 reasons?)
I can't see exactly how the two pieces were connected, there's a dimple in the scissor and a bump on the web and they click as they pass each other. Obviously they were connected somehow and the noise I heard was them breaking apart. Could I just drill through them and insert a nut and bolt ? or would that be too temporary ?
BTW it's the drivers door - Right Hand side.
I'm sure someone has fixed this before - any info much appreciated.
Rob
I have the metal inner door panel off and can see the problem - as you said - the join has disconnected between part driven by motor (I called it a web) and the scissor part .
I'd like to fix this part myself, for 3 reasons - firstly I'm in Australia so ordering parts takes time, secondly the price looks to be over US$250 and I'm a mean skinflint and thirdly, it looks fixable. (or is that 4 reasons?)
I can't see exactly how the two pieces were connected, there's a dimple in the scissor and a bump on the web and they click as they pass each other. Obviously they were connected somehow and the noise I heard was them breaking apart. Could I just drill through them and insert a nut and bolt ? or would that be too temporary ?
BTW it's the drivers door - Right Hand side.
I'm sure someone has fixed this before - any info much appreciated.
Rob
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: 1988 Power window stuck down - what broke ? (Stingraynut)
Sorry about that, I didn't notice your location...been a tough week for me.
I couldn't see how they were attached either so I took the easy way and just ordered a new unit.
However, I believe someone on this Forum has repaired their regulator but I don't remember how it was done. Maybe after you get it out it will become apparent; since I had a new unit ready I didn't mess with my broken one.
I couldn't see how they were attached either so I took the easy way and just ordered a new unit.
However, I believe someone on this Forum has repaired their regulator but I don't remember how it was done. Maybe after you get it out it will become apparent; since I had a new unit ready I didn't mess with my broken one.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: midwest Iowa
Re: 1988 Power window stuck down - what broke ? (Stingraynut)
Hi mine did that the regulator broke I mean the weld on it cracked I took mine out and welded it back wooks like bran new good luck :thumbs: :steering:
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 4
From: Cairns Australia
Re: 1988 Power window stuck down - what broke ? (65Z01)
Hi everyone, thanks for advice and info.
The part that broke on my power window was a spot weld - there's a quadrant with teeth that the motor drives and a scissor arm is spot welded to the quadrant.
At first I though it must be a pin that could rotate, also one part was dimpled and the other part had a corresponding bump so I thought maybe they 'clicked' together. Once I had the part out of the door I could see that neither part rotated and it was a broken spot weld. I took it to the engineer that's fixing my air pump.
The power window design is very good, I'm pleased to say - i've had trouble before with other versions, especially ones that use cable.
65Z01 - no problemo, I don't expect anyone to check and see where people live, I'm very grateful for you chipping in and offering advice, thanks.
S'nut
The part that broke on my power window was a spot weld - there's a quadrant with teeth that the motor drives and a scissor arm is spot welded to the quadrant.
At first I though it must be a pin that could rotate, also one part was dimpled and the other part had a corresponding bump so I thought maybe they 'clicked' together. Once I had the part out of the door I could see that neither part rotated and it was a broken spot weld. I took it to the engineer that's fixing my air pump.
The power window design is very good, I'm pleased to say - i've had trouble before with other versions, especially ones that use cable.
65Z01 - no problemo, I don't expect anyone to check and see where people live, I'm very grateful for you chipping in and offering advice, thanks.
S'nut
