View Full Version : Power Window Woes


dcastine
07-10-2005, 11:39 AM
Just picked up my first 'Vette, a 'barn fresh' 100% original matching numbers 77 L82/4spd car with 53,000 miles.

It hasn't been tagged since 1993 so I'm trying to get the bugs out of it...

The passenger window goes down, but not up (doh!)

switch? Motor? any clues would be appreciated - thanks!

wlaukaitis
07-11-2005, 12:08 AM
I'd go with the switch. If you're feeling sassy, you can jumper the harness and see what happens. I would.

dcastine
07-11-2005, 01:19 AM
Sassy it is!! Thanks, W...!

DaveWJunior
07-11-2005, 01:35 PM
I'd have to agree. I've had to replace both of the switches in my C3 Vette. I pulled them once and was able to clean them up and they worked for awhile, but started to malfunction again after a few months (you'd have to either push REALLY hard on the switch, or jiggle it ....sometimes both) so I just replace them with switches from a mail order catalogue and haven't had a problem since.

dave n
07-23-2005, 01:54 PM
Hey Dave,

If the switch was not the problem. My old 80 C3 had something similar happen. The plug for the power window motor was loose in the door. You will have to pull the door skin and fiddle with the plug, clean it and get it to seat tight.

Good luck

Danase
08-08-2005, 12:48 PM
If it does not seem to be an electrical problem check the gears. I have seen teeth break off of gears that cause different problems.

AF2236
11-12-2005, 05:58 PM
i just had to change a regulator for the passenger side of my 76 stingray. it would go down but not up. hope your's is the switch, it was a pain to change but can be done

itzfrank
11-21-2005, 02:42 PM
had this problem with my 78 when i bought it a few days ago. Try opening the door and putting the window up. My weather stripping is still fresh and stiff from replacement not long ago so the motor won't push it all the way up. -=]

works fine with the door open... haha.. try it.

red70vet
11-22-2005, 08:16 PM
As you can see there are many things that can cause the PW to malfunction.

Check the wiring that goes from the door thru to the body of the car in the door jam area. These wires flex every time the door is opened and eventually they get frayed.

I had a similar problem with mine 2 years ago and I tapped the motor with a hammer lightly and it worked for almost a year. Tapping it with a hammer loosens the carbon buildup on the brushes so they can function again. Unfortunately that is only a temporary solution now 1 year later my drivers window is down and won't go up again. It looks like I will have to seek a more permanent solution.