Topic: power windows after cooling off
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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Recently developed a problem with the pw. They stopped working all together; turns out it was the power windows relay.
Now I have a different problem; when I first start the car, I can roll the windows down easily, but after driving for 10 minutes plus, they won't go back up. I have to stop the car (key off) for about 10 minutes the turn the key to accs. and roll them back up.
Alternator ??? 
btw : I always disconnect the battery between usage (I have a quick shut-off).
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Tecumseh, MI - USA
Joined: 9/14/2003
Posts: 221
Vette(s): 1980 all org. with 18000 act. miles dk claret with matching interior..Eagle alloys ..loaded..excellent cond.
Are you sure the new relay is ok? I'm not sure how I could test the relay. The pw started working again when I replaced the relay; so I assume it's a good one.
I suspected the alternator, because I recently added a high output coil (Flame Thrower II I think..) and an aftermarket radio.
I was wondering if I'm asking too much from an original alternator and the power windows problem is just a symptom of it.
I guess what I could do, is test the alternator the following way;
-plug the meter
-start the car (I think I should see a 1 volt drop while starting...)
-take the car for a ride and once the windows stop working; take another reading at the alternator.
I'm not even sure if I'm making sense here. I'm at work right now, but when I get back to the garage, I'll read the diagnostic section of the service manual for both power windows (if they have one) and for the alternator. I'll see what kind of test sequence they suggest.
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Duncanville, TX - USA
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Not gonna be an alt. problem. And you'll see way more than a one volt drop while starting!
I'd recheck the relay, and the feed wire to it. You may be loosing power to the relay, or the relay may be bad.
An afterthought....it could very well be a fuse-link on the brink. They can work ok one time, and not the next.
Adams' Apple 38801.3846296296
I'd recheck the relay, and the feed wire to it. You may be loosing power to the relay, or the relay may be bad.
An afterthought....it could very well be a fuse-link on the brink. They can work ok one time, and not the next.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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In reality, it could be any connection feeding the relay or windows. I would suspect the plug in connections at the relay. When relays fail, they often get hot. The heat commonly damages the push in connectors. Take a look at those first.
Ken, that would explain why the passenger side got really hot last time. It wasn't working, but the wire got hot (and not to mention the little puff of smoke... you'll see why below)
I think I found part of the problem today; I pinched the blue wire of the passenger side switch and a little bit of it was exposed; not really damaged, but exposed. While tucked-in under, it might have made contact to some metal (the parking brake handle/bracket ??).
With the parking brake console out, and the wire taped, I did not have that problem today.
I will now consider the problem solved! Thanks for all the input.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Former Member
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Tecumseh, MI - USA
Joined: 9/14/2003
Posts: 221
Vette(s): 1980 all org. with 18000 act. miles dk claret with matching interior..Eagle alloys ..loaded..excellent cond.
I'm have a problem with my horn, car alarm, and cruise controll, they don't work
on my 77 Pumpkin. I replaced the fuse... no luck... does anyone know if ther is a fuse relay and where it is or if its something else
thanks.
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Did they all stop working at the same time? The cruise control should be on a different circuit than the car alarm (if it's factory). The alarm should be on the same circuit as the clock, interior courtesy lights, dome light and glovebox light. The cruise control should be on the same circuit as the gauge lights, seat belt buzzer and power window relay.
If they all quit at the same time, you must have a short where the wires cross over one another.
If they all quit at the same time, you must have a short where the wires cross over one another.
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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