Topic: Power Window died in 1982 Collector
in Forum: C3 Electrical, Body and Interior
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
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.
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
20111115155328r.jpg)
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.
Limited Member
Send PM
Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 916
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.
2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
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
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.
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.
Lifetime Member
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.
Lifetime Member #58
Our 82CE 
(Click to see a larger version) 
Limited Member
Send PM
Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 916
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.
2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
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.
If not the spring, I'd pull and disassemble the motor and check the brushes and lube the bearings.
1973 L-82 4 spd
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 
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.
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?
in Forum: C3 Electrical, Body and Interior
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)