Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Stuck door window - easy fix!!!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-26-2007, 10:08 AM
  #1  
LT1SPUD
Pro
Thread Starter
 
LT1SPUD's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2004
Location: Decatur Alabama
Posts: 737
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts

Default Stuck door window - easy fix!!!!

My passenger door window became stuck/busted the other day in the up position....push the down button and all i get is a "click" sound coming from the door....i'm thinking "ok, this is going to be a pain to fix"... not so!!!! i relate my woes to a good friend and he says to bring the Vette over to his house and he'll have it fixed in 5 minutes....I'M IN!!!!

Tools required:

1 small pocket screwdriver
1 long necked screwdriver
1 hammer
an assistant (unless you're a three armed mutant)

1st: remove the small cover on the door just down and back of the hand grip with the small screwdriver

cover removed:
Name:  door1.jpg
Views: 6909
Size:  70.6 KB

next, align long necked screwdriver under the rear hex head bolt as shown:
Name:  door2.jpg
Views: 6823
Size:  35.0 KB

now, while having the assistant turn the key to the "on" position and then repeatedly pushing the window "down" button, give the big screwdriver a couple of whacks with the hammer......window should roll on down.......

that is all.......
The following 2 users liked this post by LT1SPUD:
VettesRule (06-08-2017), Yello95 (06-29-2021)
Old 07-26-2007, 10:09 AM
  #2  
csexton
Team Owner
 
csexton's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2004
Location: Danville Virginia
Posts: 30,045
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Good info

Chuck
Old 07-26-2007, 11:05 AM
  #3  
fixvet
Melting Slicks
Support Corvetteforum!
 
fixvet's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2002
Location: Clever, MO aka SOMO
Posts: 2,631
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

I've heard before that this is only a temporary fix. Your motor is probably going out. Good luck
Old 07-26-2007, 04:09 PM
  #4  
Phidelt076
Instructor
 
Phidelt076's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Lewisville Texas
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by fixvet
I've heard before that this is only a temporary fix. Your motor is probably going out. Good luck
The first time mine stuck, banging on the door with hand worked. The second time it took removing the door panel and banging on the motor itself with a wrench. The first time it worked for a little over a month. The second time it worked for 5 days.

New window motor went in last weekend. Found it on Ebay for $125, GM charges $295. It took about 2 hours to swap out and I fixed a water leak I had in the process.

Total parts & labor to fix through Chevy averaged $600 locally (3 quotes). I'd do a little homework now and be prepared to swap the window motor assembly. It was a pretty easy DIY job.
The following 4 users liked this post by Phidelt076:
ArmchairArchitect (12-04-2016), doublenut9 (08-24-2020), FLYINBY (01-15-2024), GroundFlyer (04-09-2021)
Old 07-26-2007, 04:57 PM
  #5  
istsme98
Race Director
Support Corvetteforum!
 
istsme98's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2004
Location: york pa
Posts: 12,287
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Good to know in a pinch
Old 07-26-2007, 05:19 PM
  #6  
Vetteman Jack
Administrator

Support Corvetteforum!
 
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
Posts: 342,707
Received 19,233 Likes on 13,933 Posts
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-
'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran


Default

At least you got it working again. But I agree, probably just a temporary fix that will eventually require a new window motor.
Old 07-26-2007, 06:51 PM
  #7  
SEAMOORE
Pro
 
SEAMOORE's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2000
Location: DECATUR ALABAMA
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Default

I'm the one that did the fix for LT1SPUD. I don't agree that it's a temporary fix. I last did it on my previous C5, a 99 FRC approx 2 years ago and it is still working. My boss bought it and I see him almost every day. This little trick has never failed for me and I have done it on at least 5 different Vettes. My thoughts are that it quits working because of lack of use. It's always the passenger window, not once the driver's window because it gets used. I'll spend 5 minutes several times before I pay $$$ for new parts and labor. Try it.
The following 2 users liked this post by SEAMOORE:
FLYINBY (01-15-2024), PKL (08-03-2023)
Old 07-26-2007, 08:48 PM
  #8  
Thrash
Melting Slicks
Support Corvetteforum!
 
Thrash's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2007
Location: Summerton SC
Posts: 3,210
Received 94 Likes on 56 Posts
Tech Contributor

Default

It's not the motor, it's the contacts. Hand-banging while pressing the button will work wonders, but the hard hit with the screw driver and hammer is more direct, cleans the contact with a jarring jolt, and since doing this same hammer move 3 months ago ... the pass-window works every time. Before ordering a new motor, clean, sand and crimp all the motor and switch contacts or solder them (solder is easy to remove when you need to). That's my 2 cents.
The following 2 users liked this post by Thrash:
FLYINBY (01-15-2024), JimHarris4 (04-11-2021)
Old 07-26-2007, 08:55 PM
  #9  
The Wanderer
Melting Slicks
 
The Wanderer's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2001
Location: (Temporarily) Colorado Springs Colorado
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Funny ... happened to me 18 months ago ... I did not use the window switch but a few times since I bought it new. Exercised (up & down) a few times a week for the last 18 months and no problems! GO FIGURE
Old 07-28-2007, 07:29 PM
  #10  
Suvi
Heel & Toe
 
Suvi's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2007
Location: Frisco TX
Posts: 24
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

HEY!!! IT WORKED!!!!

I have tried all of the methods that I have found in this forum... I have taken the door and the window motor COMPLETELY apart 4 times ... But this one worked!!

I had fixed the motor "once and for all"... and found a way to keep it rolling. The thing is to remember to to this trick every time someone fiddles with the window (repair shops etc...) and rolls it up. I always let the window up all the way, and then down about 1/4 inch or less, by clicking the "window down" button twice really fast(it takes practice to be fast enough ). This relieves the pressure, and window won't get stuck. The window is open only a little, no water or other crap will get in.

I had forgotten to do this trick after getting bearings replaced, and they had rolled the window up again. I tried this screwdriver banging , and WAS SO RELIEVED that I didn't have to take the door apart AGAIN!

So, thank you for posting this one!!!

Suvi
Old 07-28-2007, 07:42 PM
  #11  
blacksedan87
Race Director
Support Corvetteforum!
 
blacksedan87's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2003
Location: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
Posts: 16,270
Received 25 Likes on 23 Posts
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor


Default

Never a problem with a convertible....windows get plenty of exercise!
The following users liked this post:
GroundFlyer (04-09-2021)
Old 07-29-2007, 03:48 AM
  #12  
DeeGee
Tech Contributor
 
DeeGee's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2003
Location: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 0
Received 79 Likes on 61 Posts
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

Default

Originally Posted by blacksedan87
Never a problem with a convertible....windows get plenty of exercise!
Old 07-29-2007, 09:28 AM
  #13  
AC54ME
Team Owner
Support Corvetteforum!
 
AC54ME's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: Plano Texas
Posts: 37,329
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 8 Posts
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13

Default

Originally Posted by SEAMOORE
I'm the one that did the fix for LT1SPUD. I don't agree that it's a temporary fix. I last did it on my previous C5, a 99 FRC approx 2 years ago and it is still working. My boss bought it and I see him almost every day. This little trick has never failed for me and I have done it on at least 5 different Vettes. My thoughts are that it quits working because of lack of use. It's always the passenger window, not once the driver's window because it gets used. I'll spend 5 minutes several times before I pay $$$ for new parts and labor. Try it.


I've even seen GM dealers do this instead of the ~$3-400 replacement of the motor
Old 07-31-2007, 01:24 PM
  #14  
SEAMOORE
Pro
 
SEAMOORE's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2000
Location: DECATUR ALABAMA
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Default

Mark, here is a TTT for you. More people need to know about this easy fix.
Old 04-17-2008, 12:37 PM
  #15  
cjlaw73
Race Director
 
cjlaw73's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2004
Location: Medford NJ
Posts: 14,358
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Just tried this method myslef with no success. How hard its it to remove the door panel?
Old 04-17-2008, 01:05 PM
  #16  
wit2pz
Le Mans Master
 
wit2pz's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2004
Location: Manassas VA
Posts: 7,825
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by cjlaw73
Just tried this method myslef with no success. How hard its it to remove the door panel?
Not too bad... pop out the fasteners and use a torx to unscrew the two screws behind the handle. Your window control assembly lift up and drop down inside the door panel.

Remove the speaker, and the back of the motor is visible through the speaker hole. Rap on it a few times with a wrench or screwdriver handle while holding the window switch down.

I've done this two summers in a row now.

PS... I believe the detailed door panel removal instructions are on the Vette Essentials website.
Old 04-17-2008, 01:10 PM
  #17  
Choreo
Le Mans Master
Support Corvetteforum!
 
Choreo's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2006
Location: Midland TX
Posts: 6,707
Received 303 Likes on 220 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Phidelt076
The first time mine stuck, banging on the door with hand worked. The second time it took removing the door panel and banging on the motor itself with a wrench. The first time it worked for a little over a month. The second time it worked for 5 days.

New window motor went in last weekend. Found it on Ebay for $125, GM charges $295. It took about 2 hours to swap out and I fixed a water leak I had in the process.

Total parts & labor to fix through Chevy averaged $600 locally (3 quotes). I'd do a little homework now and be prepared to swap the window motor assembly. It was a pretty easy DIY job.
Same experience.

Get notified of new replies

To Stuck door window - easy fix!!!!

Old 04-18-2008, 09:56 AM
  #18  
JOHN MOORE
Instructor
 
JOHN MOORE's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2004
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

When I bought my '00 coupe in '03, the passenger window did not work. The dealer fixed it-no charge. A couple of weeks ago, it stopped working, again. I read several posts, and tried everything suggested except for removing the door panel and striking the motor...no help. I tried the screwdriver method last night, and it worked! When removing the little access panel, I noticed most of the prongs were broken...made me wonder if the dealership used this method when they fixed it when I had the orginial problem in '03!!!
Old 04-18-2008, 10:34 AM
  #19  
Bakersfield
Drifting
 
Bakersfield's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2005
Location: Bakersfield Ca
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by cjlaw73
Just tried this method myslef with no success. How hard its it to remove the door panel?
It is easy. Read on: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1606865
Old 05-01-2008, 12:28 PM
  #20  
cuspid
Drifting
 
cuspid's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2001
Location: Largo,Fl fl
Posts: 1,987
Received 40 Likes on 32 Posts

Default

It just worked for me. THANKS


Quick Reply: Stuck door window - easy fix!!!!



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:49 PM.