Power windows and locks don't work in my '81 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Canada20 · 03-18-2004, 08:20 PM

Hey all. I bought an '81 Chev off a friend last weekend and I hope to get started on fixing a few of the little things with it. It has power windows and locks but they don't work. Any chance that this could be a simple and common problem?

I know that isn't much info, just looking for a starting point.

Many thanks,

Greg

Russell · 03-18-2004, 08:26 PM

Switches, or a blown fuse. Most likely switches though

rolson1039 · 03-18-2004, 08:39 PM

first check the fuse then start with tracing wires with a tester

beaterC10 · 03-18-2004, 10:24 PM

I thought not working was part of the factory option package. I've never seen a truck that had fully functioning power windows and locks, including ones I've owned.

**crossy** · 03-18-2004, 11:50 PM

once you verified the fuse is good go right to the double window switch and check for power there(heaviest wire) with the key 'ON'. DAVE

Canada20 · 03-19-2004, 12:36 PM

Didn't realize GM even offered intermittent power accessories! Sweet! (where's the sarcasm smilie?

)

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll give these a shot this weekend.

Greg

Grim Reaper · 03-19-2004, 01:11 PM

hehe SEARCH! Its been covered but here it is again.

One time I was out of town and my lovely 5ft tall 90 lb wife calls me to tell me the windows and door locks would not work in her 79 K5. I'm 700 miles away and can do nothing but tell here where the Duck tape and garbage bags are in the garage.

I get home and How she managed this as small as she is is beyond me. Somehow she kicked the fuse box way up high and knocked the feed for them out. They plug into the fuse box like a accessory. Check for any loose thick (8-10gage as I recall) wires that look like they should be plugged into something around the fuse box. There is some pig tails up there that hang. One end is plugged into the fuse box so ignore them. Trace them when you run accross them and see. Ignore them

btw
I think they use a breaker and not a fuse. It's a silver box about 1.25 inches long plugged into the fuse box.

Free88 · 03-19-2004, 01:15 PM

Also check for broken wires in the corrugated rubber boot that the wiring harness is in from cab to doors. This is where i have had most of my problems with power accesories. Could be a broken ground wire in the harness.

03-18-2004, 08:20 PM	#1
Canada20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 802	Power windows and locks don't work in my '81 Hey all. I bought an '81 Chev off a friend last weekend and I hope to get started on fixing a few of the little things with it. It has power windows and locks but they don't work. Any chance that this could be a simple and common problem? I know that isn't much info, just looking for a starting point. Many thanks, Greg __________________ No such thing as a stupid question, right?

03-18-2004, 08:26 PM	#2
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Switches, or a blown fuse. Most likely switches though __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

03-18-2004, 08:39 PM	#3
rolson1039 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 404	first check the fuse then start with tracing wires with a tester __________________ so many trucks so little time!!!

03-18-2004, 11:50 PM	#5
crossy Oh,you can't buy that new Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Pennsville,N.J. 08070, USA Posts: 2,039	once you verified the fuse is good go right to the double window switch and check for power there(heaviest wire) with the key 'ON'. DAVE __________________ "been there, done that, ruined the T-shirt". 2007 LBZ GMC Sierra, ECSB 2006 LM7 RCSB Silverado 98 Vortec project. 94,3500,6.5L 4L80 81 SWB GMC POS finally gone 73 Pinto, stock, w/CragarSS's-eww LOTS of Cummins trucks.

03-19-2004, 12:36 PM	#6
Canada20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 802	Didn't realize GM even offered intermittent power accessories! Sweet! (where's the sarcasm smilie? ) Thanks for the tips guys, I'll give these a shot this weekend. Greg __________________ No such thing as a stupid question, right?

03-18-2004, 10:24 PM	#4
beaterC10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,277	I thought not working was part of the factory option package. I've never seen a truck that had fully functioning power windows and locks, including ones I've owned.

03-19-2004, 01:11 PM	#7
Grim Reaper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 1,704	hehe SEARCH! Its been covered but here it is again. One time I was out of town and my lovely 5ft tall 90 lb wife calls me to tell me the windows and door locks would not work in her 79 K5. I'm 700 miles away and can do nothing but tell here where the Duck tape and garbage bags are in the garage. I get home and How she managed this as small as she is is beyond me. Somehow she kicked the fuse box way up high and knocked the feed for them out. They plug into the fuse box like a accessory. Check for any loose thick (8-10gage as I recall) wires that look like they should be plugged into something around the fuse box. There is some pig tails up there that hang. One end is plugged into the fuse box so ignore them. Trace them when you run accross them and see. Ignore them btw I think they use a breaker and not a fuse. It's a silver box about 1.25 inches long plugged into the fuse box. __________________ Grim-Reaper 70 Pontiac LeMans Sport Convertible, worlds longest resto in progress Looking for 71-72 2wd Blazer or Jimmy Project

03-19-2004, 01:15 PM	#8
Free88 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Northwestern Ontario Canada Posts: 359	Also check for broken wires in the corrugated rubber boot that the wiring harness is in from cab to doors. This is where i have had most of my problems with power accesories. Could be a broken ground wire in the harness. __________________ 1986 Silverado Short box fleet side. project 2005 VW Tiguan 4 Motion 1997 Blazer S10 4x4 1990 Chevy Silverado K1500 Extended long box



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