'03 power window problem - ouch!
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 69
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From: Ft Myers FL
'03 power window problem - ouch!
Well, after searching for nearly 8 years for the "Perfect AE" Vert, I found one a couple of weeks ago and brought her home. She's a beauty but more about that another time.
Before laying out the cash, I took her to the local Chevy dealer where she had been serviced all her life. Checked-out great for a 10 year old car. The service manager told me that they had put some conductive gel on the passenger door switch but that it would eventually need a new switch. Installed - probably $75.00. "No problem" I think. I'll get it done if it fails again.
So buy the car, drive her 250 miles home and all is well.
Went to put the top down last weekend and the switch fails. So I take her in this morning to my local Chevy dealer (who is also our 'Vette Club sponsor) thinking the switch failed. Nope, the right side module has failed. AND, they are saying that they have to change both driver and passenger side modules. Not $75 but $1400!!!
Holy crap!
Could the other dealer have been that wrong about the switch?
Any of you guys or gals had this issue? The driver side works fine but the dealer says they still need to change both. Yikes!
Before laying out the cash, I took her to the local Chevy dealer where she had been serviced all her life. Checked-out great for a 10 year old car. The service manager told me that they had put some conductive gel on the passenger door switch but that it would eventually need a new switch. Installed - probably $75.00. "No problem" I think. I'll get it done if it fails again.
So buy the car, drive her 250 miles home and all is well.
Went to put the top down last weekend and the switch fails. So I take her in this morning to my local Chevy dealer (who is also our 'Vette Club sponsor) thinking the switch failed. Nope, the right side module has failed. AND, they are saying that they have to change both driver and passenger side modules. Not $75 but $1400!!!
Holy crap!
Could the other dealer have been that wrong about the switch?
Any of you guys or gals had this issue? The driver side works fine but the dealer says they still need to change both. Yikes!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
You need to check it out yourself, It might be the window regulator and motor and that is an easy 100 buck fix, I don't believe or heard that you have to replace both door modules if one goes bad, If it is a door module you can find them for under 100 bucks. and if the switch is bad maybe 50 bucks for 1 of those.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
It could also be the connector between the door and the A-pillar. It is inside an accordian cover. Try jiggling it first and if that does not work you can remove the cover and seperate the connector and look for any corrosion and reconnect and see if that helps.
I would be very leary of that dealer and his costs, not to mention the need to do both doors. You can do searches for info on how to remove the door panel and also on how to do the fixes yourself. If you are not real handy on doing the work yourself, get another
C5 owner in the area to help you. Probably a cold beer or two will get you all the help you need. If you can't find the links, let us know. I have found out doing Goggle searches is easier than trying to search internal to the Forum. Sam
PS: Some people use dielectric grease on connections thinking that will help. It is an insulator and should not be used on the actual electrical contacts. Use it only around connection seals to prevent moisture intrusion. They could have done that at the dealer not knowing it's proper use.
I would be very leary of that dealer and his costs, not to mention the need to do both doors. You can do searches for info on how to remove the door panel and also on how to do the fixes yourself. If you are not real handy on doing the work yourself, get another
C5 owner in the area to help you. Probably a cold beer or two will get you all the help you need. If you can't find the links, let us know. I have found out doing Goggle searches is easier than trying to search internal to the Forum. Sam
PS: Some people use dielectric grease on connections thinking that will help. It is an insulator and should not be used on the actual electrical contacts. Use it only around connection seals to prevent moisture intrusion. They could have done that at the dealer not knowing it's proper use.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,380
Likes: 0
From: Life is all about power and control
Had the exact same thing on my '02 a couple of years ago. I go to an old-fashioned low tech father and son garage for annual servicing. They took the door apart, cleaned up the contacts on switch and motor (I think I recall it was the electric motor that needed the work), put it back together again and its been fine. I was charged about an hour's labour for it and was given the instruction to use it more in future to prevent similar problems !
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 69
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From: Ft Myers FL
Good guess that I'm not real handy. Atlthough for $1400 I can become motivated!
Thanks for the link and the advice. My next step was going to be to contact some of the members in the local Corvette Club to see if anyone can help out.
I checked 3 Chevy dealers and all three service people I spoke with said that if it is the module, both need to be replaced. Something about GM made a change and the new part won't communicate with the OE module on the driver's side.
Thanks again!
Thanks for the link and the advice. My next step was going to be to contact some of the members in the local Corvette Club to see if anyone can help out.
I checked 3 Chevy dealers and all three service people I spoke with said that if it is the module, both need to be replaced. Something about GM made a change and the new part won't communicate with the OE module on the driver's side.
Thanks again!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Well, after searching for nearly 8 years for the "Perfect AE" Vert, I found one a couple of weeks ago and brought her home. She's a beauty but more about that another time.
Before laying out the cash, I took her to the local Chevy dealer where she had been serviced all her life. Checked-out great for a 10 year old car. The service manager told me that they had put some conductive gel on the passenger door switch but that it would eventually need a new switch. Installed - probably $75.00. "No problem" I think. I'll get it done if it fails again.
So buy the car, drive her 250 miles home and all is well.
Went to put the top down last weekend and the switch fails. So I take her in this morning to my local Chevy dealer (who is also our 'Vette Club sponsor) thinking the switch failed. Nope, the right side module has failed. AND, they are saying that they have to change both driver and passenger side modules. Not $75 but $1400!!!
Holy crap!
Could the other dealer have been that wrong about the switch?
Any of you guys or gals had this issue? The driver side works fine but the dealer says they still need to change both. Yikes!
Before laying out the cash, I took her to the local Chevy dealer where she had been serviced all her life. Checked-out great for a 10 year old car. The service manager told me that they had put some conductive gel on the passenger door switch but that it would eventually need a new switch. Installed - probably $75.00. "No problem" I think. I'll get it done if it fails again.
So buy the car, drive her 250 miles home and all is well.
Went to put the top down last weekend and the switch fails. So I take her in this morning to my local Chevy dealer (who is also our 'Vette Club sponsor) thinking the switch failed. Nope, the right side module has failed. AND, they are saying that they have to change both driver and passenger side modules. Not $75 but $1400!!!
Holy crap!
Could the other dealer have been that wrong about the switch?
Any of you guys or gals had this issue? The driver side works fine but the dealer says they still need to change both. Yikes!
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 13
From: Redding California
I had the same thing on my '03 coupe. Only 4,000+ miles, and the passenger window quit working out of the blue.
I researched on this forum, and watched the same video posted here by dadaroo. I then ordered a door module. After researching replacement window regulator, I read that some cheaper aftermarket items had a reputation for not lasting very long, so i went with the type supplied by www.upanddownmainstreet.com (the people who made the video) They claim that they supply a high quality item at a reasonable price. ($200 delivered).
Mine arrived promptly, I took the door panel off, banged the stub where the motor is mounted, as recommended in the video, and the window came down as described......and when I pressed the window switch, it went up, and down, and up, and down, and up. That was 3 months ago and it has been working fine ever since. So I have a spare module in the garage!
If your car hasn't been used much recently, (as mine was) it may just be a case of "jolting it back into life". One thing's for sure $1,400 at the dealers is daylight robbery.
Taking the door panel off is not difficult, dadaroo's video shows it step by step, but if you feel apprehensive enlist help from a handy member at the local club.
I researched on this forum, and watched the same video posted here by dadaroo. I then ordered a door module. After researching replacement window regulator, I read that some cheaper aftermarket items had a reputation for not lasting very long, so i went with the type supplied by www.upanddownmainstreet.com (the people who made the video) They claim that they supply a high quality item at a reasonable price. ($200 delivered).
Mine arrived promptly, I took the door panel off, banged the stub where the motor is mounted, as recommended in the video, and the window came down as described......and when I pressed the window switch, it went up, and down, and up, and down, and up. That was 3 months ago and it has been working fine ever since. So I have a spare module in the garage!
If your car hasn't been used much recently, (as mine was) it may just be a case of "jolting it back into life". One thing's for sure $1,400 at the dealers is daylight robbery.
Taking the door panel off is not difficult, dadaroo's video shows it step by step, but if you feel apprehensive enlist help from a handy member at the local club.
Last edited by allred; Mar 30, 2013 at 10:22 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I had the same thing on my '03 coupe. Only 4,000+ miles, and the passenger window quit working out of the blue.
I researched on this forum, and watched the same video posted here by dadaroo. I then ordered a door module. After researching replacement door modules, I read that some cheaper aftermarket items had a reputation for not lasting very long, so i went with the type supplied by www.upanddownmainstreet.com (the people who made the video) They claim that they supply a high quality item at a reasonable price. ($200 delivered).
Mine arrived promptly, I took the door panel off, banged the stub where the motor is mounted, as recommended in the video, and the window came down as described......and when I pressed the window switch, it went up, and down, and up, and down, and up. That was 3 months ago and it has been working fine ever since. So I have a spare module in the garage!
If your car hasn't been used much recently, (as mine was) it may just be a case of "jolting it back into life". One thing's for sure $1,400 at the dealers is daylight robbery.
Taking the door panel off is not difficult, dadaroo's video shows it step by step, but if you feel apprehensive enlist help from a handy member at the local club.
I researched on this forum, and watched the same video posted here by dadaroo. I then ordered a door module. After researching replacement door modules, I read that some cheaper aftermarket items had a reputation for not lasting very long, so i went with the type supplied by www.upanddownmainstreet.com (the people who made the video) They claim that they supply a high quality item at a reasonable price. ($200 delivered).
Mine arrived promptly, I took the door panel off, banged the stub where the motor is mounted, as recommended in the video, and the window came down as described......and when I pressed the window switch, it went up, and down, and up, and down, and up. That was 3 months ago and it has been working fine ever since. So I have a spare module in the garage!
If your car hasn't been used much recently, (as mine was) it may just be a case of "jolting it back into life". One thing's for sure $1,400 at the dealers is daylight robbery.
Taking the door panel off is not difficult, dadaroo's video shows it step by step, but if you feel apprehensive enlist help from a handy member at the local club.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 13
From: Redding California
(Have modified my original post to correct "door module" to "window regulator", to avoid any confusion).
.
Last edited by allred; Mar 30, 2013 at 10:24 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
Likes: 2,306
From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
Almost all the time it is the pass window from not being used as much as the driver side.
Every time I've seen one pulling the panel and cleaning the contacts etc has done the trick. Never had to change a part.
Running it up and down on a regular basis prevents the problem.
Every time I've seen one pulling the panel and cleaning the contacts etc has done the trick. Never had to change a part.
Running it up and down on a regular basis prevents the problem.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 13
From: Redding California
Almost all the time it is the pass window from not being used as much as the driver side.
Every time I've seen one pulling the panel and cleaning the contacts etc has done the trick. Never had to change a part.
Running it up and down on a regular basis prevents the problem.
Every time I've seen one pulling the panel and cleaning the contacts etc has done the trick. Never had to change a part.
Running it up and down on a regular basis prevents the problem.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Ft Myers FL
Glad that it worked! Looks like this is gonna be my first option.
Worst case, I did find the OE GM modules on-line for about 35% less at GMpartsgiant.com. So if it does turn out to be the modules, and I DIY it, this will only cost about $750 for both. Still not cheap but a whole lot better.
Thanks a lot guys!
Worst case, I did find the OE GM modules on-line for about 35% less at GMpartsgiant.com. So if it does turn out to be the modules, and I DIY it, this will only cost about $750 for both. Still not cheap but a whole lot better.
Thanks a lot guys!
I had the same thing on my '03 coupe. Only 4,000+ miles, and the passenger window quit working out of the blue.
I researched on this forum, and watched the same video posted here by dadaroo. I then ordered a door module. After researching replacement window regulator, I read that some cheaper aftermarket items had a reputation for not lasting very long, so i went with the type supplied by www.upanddownmainstreet.com (the people who made the video) They claim that they supply a high quality item at a reasonable price. ($200 delivered).
Mine arrived promptly, I took the door panel off, banged the stub where the motor is mounted, as recommended in the video, and the window came down as described......and when I pressed the window switch, it went up, and down, and up, and down, and up. That was 3 months ago and it has been working fine ever since. So I have a spare module in the garage!
If your car hasn't been used much recently, (as mine was) it may just be a case of "jolting it back into life". One thing's for sure $1,400 at the dealers is daylight robbery.
Taking the door panel off is not difficult, dadaroo's video shows it step by step, but if you feel apprehensive enlist help from a handy member at the local club.
I researched on this forum, and watched the same video posted here by dadaroo. I then ordered a door module. After researching replacement window regulator, I read that some cheaper aftermarket items had a reputation for not lasting very long, so i went with the type supplied by www.upanddownmainstreet.com (the people who made the video) They claim that they supply a high quality item at a reasonable price. ($200 delivered).
Mine arrived promptly, I took the door panel off, banged the stub where the motor is mounted, as recommended in the video, and the window came down as described......and when I pressed the window switch, it went up, and down, and up, and down, and up. That was 3 months ago and it has been working fine ever since. So I have a spare module in the garage!
If your car hasn't been used much recently, (as mine was) it may just be a case of "jolting it back into life". One thing's for sure $1,400 at the dealers is daylight robbery.
Taking the door panel off is not difficult, dadaroo's video shows it step by step, but if you feel apprehensive enlist help from a handy member at the local club.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
I've noticed that experienced garage guys have a nose for knowing who would rather just pay than fix it themselves, and after looking at your watch (gauging how much you'd pay) they figure they're "doing you a favor" by replacing more than you need now because it'll probably go eventually. ... Even good people do bad things sometimes. +1 on the idea to get a club member to help--this should be fun, not stressful, right? 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
Tony, glad you are interested in fixing it yourself. It will be a great way to gain knowledge and develop confidence. We will be here to help you. The nice thing about this project is, You can pull the door panel and investigate before you buy any parts. You can still drive the car until you fix it. So, you should be in no rush. Just think about how much money you will save and the satifisfaction of knowing it was fixed correctly. Sam
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Ft Myers FL
[/IMG]
Thanks for the vote of confidence Sam. I'm, actually ok with doing stuff around the house and basic electrical jobs. It's just the thought of taking this baby apart without really knowing what I'm doing that is intimidating.
Good to know you guys have my back.
Here's my first pic of the 'Vette (still with the damn pass window up!) I'll post more as soon as I get her fixed-up.
Tony, glad you are interested in fixing it yourself. It will be a great way to gain knowledge and develop confidence. We will be here to help you. The nice thing about this project is, You can pull the door panel and investigate before you buy any parts. You can still drive the car until you fix it. So, you should be in no rush. Just think about how much money you will save and the satifisfaction of knowing it was fixed correctly. Sam
Good to know you guys have my back.
Here's my first pic of the 'Vette (still with the damn pass window up!) I'll post more as soon as I get her fixed-up.
Last edited by Tony P; Apr 1, 2013 at 06:57 PM. Reason: image not displaying
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 13
From: Redding California
Enlist the help of one of the local Corvette people and take the door panel off. It is not difficult. Try the bang the motor trick. If it works, that's fine. If not, order a regulator from www.upanddownmainstreet.com for $200 including tax and shipping, and again have a Corvette buddy help/show you how to install it.