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Topic: Power Window died in 1982 Collector

in Forum: C3 Electrical

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Power Window died in 1982 Collector (1/13)
5/25/16 2:02pm

Nashville68bird
Former Member
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Vette(s):
1982 Corvette Collectors

Joined: 5/25/2016
Posts: 8

New Guy Here; thanks for allowing me to join your group.

I am certain you all have discussed this topic many times, but I would appreciate some new insight.

ISSUE: Drivers Power Window went up and down intermittently for a few months, sometimes completely shutting down (no movement) for 10-15 minutes until the motor reset itself (?)....now stuck in down position with no movement at all. INFO: Car is in very good shape and kept indoors most of its life. All Power options work just fine. I read another very good post here from 2012 that pointed out good info about the motor itself (ground is from motor assembly to the door body, two wires control UP and DOWN, etc). Is there a hidden fuse somewhere on these 1982 Collectors? One other observation - prior to completely dying the motor would occasionally act erratic with regards to FAST speed up and down, almost as if it was getting TOO much power. Could be perfectly normal but thought it worth mentioning.

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Re: Power Window died in 1982 Collector (2/13)
5/25/16 7:30pm

Jeffm
Former Member
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Sebago Lake, ME - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary L82 4spd (M21) Red Leather. Pace Car is in the hands of a new caretaker.

Joined: 2/15/2007
Posts: 964

Welcome to the C3 vette Registry. There are some very knowledgeable people here when it comes to these C3's. I'm not one of them but I have played with window switches a little bit trying to get them to work right. Mine was an easy fix. Cleaned the connections under the switch and put them back on with a dab of Die electric grease and they worked much better. Maybe try swapping the switches if the passenger side works?

As far as the motor goes, I don't have a clue on that kind of stuff.

I aways thought that the power windows in my '78's moved a bit on the fast side compared to our daily drivers.

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Re: Power Window died in 1982 Collector (3/13)
5/25/16 9:26pm

73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.

Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 866

If it's not the switch, it might be where the wires go from the body to the door. One might be broken.

______________

1973 L-82 4 spd

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Re: Power Window died in 1982 Collector (4/13)
5/26/16 9:51am

Nashville68bird
Former Member
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Vette(s):
1982 Corvette Collectors

Joined: 5/25/2016
Posts: 8

I'll pop the door cover this weekend and take a look. I can easily bypass the console switch with direct 12V to the motor, see if that causes movement.

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Re: Power Window died in 1982 Collector (5/13)
6/2/16 9:58am

Nashville68bird
Former Member
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Vette(s):
1982 Corvette Collectors

Joined: 5/25/2016
Posts: 8

Did a power test on the motor last night....when the switch is activated up or down there is instant 12.5 volts going to the electric connector at the motor, and a slight mechanical TICK sound within the motor each time the switch is pushed. The motor looks like a real pain in the butt to remove/replace. Also looks like the lube grease on the tracks and rollers is original old 1982 lube... Comments and suggestions would be appreciated.

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Re: Power Window died in 1982 Collector (6/13)
6/2/16 11:55am

Reds82CE

Lifetime Member
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McKinney, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Collector Edition, Silver-Beige metallic, 45000 miles and counting. 2024 Riptide Blue Z06 Convertible

Joined: 4/8/2005
Posts: 251

Welcome to the family....we have many excellent "gear heads". My 82CE has almost the same miles but I have never had a PW issue. having said that, it may be time to take the door panels off and lubricate the PW glides - never gave it any thought until you mentioned it.

Assuming there is no binding or screws missing (that hold the unit in place), I would run direct power from the battery to the motor and see if it works. I have replaced many PW units in friends cars, all with similar problems - they simply wont go up any more. my guess is the motor has failed.

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Our 82CE

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Re: Power Window died in 1982 Collector (7/13)
6/3/16 1:41am

If the window is down and won't go up, check the spring that acts as an assist in raising the window. I had one break when I was driving and thought I'd been shot. Window wouldn't go up. Replaced spring and worked normally.

If not the spring, I'd pull and disassemble the motor and check the brushes and lube the bearings.

______________

1973 L-82 4 spd

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Re: Power Window died in 1982 Collector (8/13)
6/3/16 11:10am

DaveM

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Flanders, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.

Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2552

I've had problems with my '82's windows and it was always the switch, put a new one in and it worked fine. Definitely bypass the switch and see how the motor runs, it could be the motor or like you said the hardware may be dirty and gummed up. Good luck, & welcome to C3VR.

Dave

______________

Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82

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Re: Power Window died in 1982 Collector (9/13)
6/3/16 2:54pm

Nashville68bird
Former Member
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Vette(s):
1982 Corvette Collectors

Joined: 5/25/2016
Posts: 8

Thanks all. Hit the motor with direct battery power last night and no movement, just a short CLICK sound. New motor and gear is on the way and I'll swap it out. Still need to figure out how to get the glass up halfway prior to removing the old motor.

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Re: Power Window died in 1982 Collector (10/13)
6/6/16 9:12am

Nashville68bird
Former Member
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Vette(s):
1982 Corvette Collectors

Joined: 5/25/2016
Posts: 8

Have the new motor and gear on-hand now, but still can't remove the old motor because the window is full DOWN, meaning the glass and metal runner is right up against the motor, no way to get at the three mounting bolts. Any ideas on how to get the glass and hardware UP and out of the way?

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Re: Power Window died in 1982 Collector (11/13)
6/6/16 12:50pm

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20129

SOMETIMES, a window motor that is giving up the ghost can be persuaded to move one last time with a few well placed love taps with a mallet, while holding the switch in the UP position(key on, of course). Assuming you already have the door panel off, tap(or beat, whichever you prefer) around the inner door panel right at the motor location with the window switch pressed. I've managed to get a few of them working just by slamming the door firmly while holding the switch on. Worth a shot. Approve

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
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Re: Power Window died in 1982 Collector (12/13)
6/6/16 3:21pm

Nashville68bird
Former Member
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Vette(s):
1982 Corvette Collectors

Joined: 5/25/2016
Posts: 8

Tried all that and then some. There has got to be a way to raise that window halfway up.

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Re: Power Window died in 1982 Collector (13/13)
6/9/16 4:48pm

Nashville68bird
Former Member
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Vette(s):
1982 Corvette Collectors

Joined: 5/25/2016
Posts: 8

Got it done and new motor works fine. Had to remove the three long bolts on the electric connector-side. That releases the motor housing assembly and get you up close and personal with the motor itself. Turn the motor by hand to bring window up or down to align the infamous two holes, then put bolt and nut into those aligned holes. Remove the three mount bolts and replace motor assembly. Took all of 30 minutes, maybe less.

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