73 power window question

[Lynn S.]

Putting my 73 BB coup back together and only the RH power window will work. LH motor activates with direct lead from the battery Have changed the switch on consol? Where to next??

[Owen L.]

Re: 73 power window question

Are you sure the switch is getting power? If so, have you measured the connector at the motor to see if you have voltage to ground when you activate the switch in both directions? (key on) I forget what it all looks like behind the door panel but you should be able to get to the wiring connector to test.

[Lynn S.]

Re: 73 power window question

Thanks. I think I have checked for "continuity" in the wires but everything electrical above this is greek to me. Anyone got a diagram on what leads go where to check for power or where the sunlight comes in or which finger I should use to check for power. You see my problem

[Owen L.]

Re: 73 power window question

I am by no means experienced with electrical troubleshooting but the initial tests you're after are pretty basic. Do you have a mulitmeter or test probe? Meter is better because it tells you a number whereas a probe just tells you that current is flowing through it. For years I used inexpensive meters with good success but just last weekend upgraded mine. Innova has a decent $40 one that I considered but went with the next model up because it offered more than I could ever understand and was on sale! $90... marketing at its finest!

What you want to do is hook one end of the test device to a ground, like the frame, engine block, or known good ground wire. The other end is used at the suspected wire to see if current is leaving the wire and flowing through the test device to ground. You'll need to know when the wire is supposed to carry current (like key on, switch behavior, etc.).

YouTube videos on testing this sort of thing are a boon to us who are unsure of what to connect to what.

[Lynn S.]

Re: 73 power window question

Thanks Owen, that helps. Have found a old post (10 years) on exactly this problem. The archives are invaluable! Getting a meter today.

[Michael G.]

Re: 73 power window question

Hi Lynn. I too have been chasing ghosts in my power window circuitry and would love to follow your progress. I am currently engaged in a big project and hope to be able to dig into my issue soon. Please post your progress for us all .Thanks. I too can use all of the help I can get.

[David H.]

Re: 73 power window question

Putting my 73 BB coup back together and only the RH power window will work. LH motor activates with direct lead from the battery Have changed the switch on consol? Where to next??

Lynn

Attached video re "Voltage Drop" might help you sort out circuit issue.

Dave

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=voltage+drop+testing&&view=detail&mid=FF688172A9871BBFC745FF688172A9871BBFC745&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dvoltage%2Bdrop%2Btesting%26FORM%3DHDRSC3

[Richard M.]

Re: 73 power window question

Thanks. I think I have checked for "continuity" in the wires but everything electrical above this is greek to me. Anyone got a diagram on what leads go where to check for power or where the sunlight comes in or which finger I should use to check for power. You see my problem

Lynn here's a '74 diagram but likely same for '73.

Red-White is the feed to both switches, +12v with key on, from the relay.

When you check voltages at each switch, meter Neg(black) on a good ground, probe(red) each contact on the switch outputs, either blue or brown or blue-white or brown-white. Not sure which is up or down but you'll find out when you test them.

Also note, not shown on the diagram, but each motor needs a separate ground wire to function. Not sure where it's attached on the motor. Likely a Black wire on a mount screw, etc.

Rich

1974PW.jpg

[David H.]

Re: 73 power window question

Lynn

Willcox Corvette has a number of YouTube videos that might help. Try a search with:

"Willcox Corvette electric window"

Dave