MaineShark
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2002
- Messages
- 1,326
- Location
- Rockingham County, NH
- Corvette
- 1979 L82, 1987 Buick Grand National
I was driving along yesterday, and I got to thinking: how hard would it be to re-wire a C3 to have auto-down windows? You know, just tap the window switch briefly, and the window rolls itself down. Very convenient for paying tolls, and just generally on the principle of keeping your hands free for driving.
I think the first question is: when did auto-down become available?
The second would be, does anyone have a wiring diagram of a car with auto-down, that they could scan in so that that I could look at it? Particularly if the auto-down is some sort of module, not an integral part of the window switch (which I know it is, on some cars)...
Lastly, I know there are some other cars that use some sort of locking switch. My Ford beater, for example. The switch physically locks in the "down" position, if you push it in (there's a stop that you can feel), and then unlocks when the window gets down. I think it probably uses some sort of circuit breaker to sense the current change when the motor stops. Either that, or a magnetic coil that holds the switch down once there is current flowing (that seems possible, because it will invariably release if I turn the key to "start" with the window on its way down, and one of the things that "start" does it kill power to the windows). If there is a car with the locking type switch, that was produced close in time to our cars (ie, a switch with similar physical dimensions and apperance), that might be the easiest retrofit.
Any ideas? I think it would be one of those cool little mods that doesn't necessarily jump out at you the way a new engine does, but you appreciate it on a daily basis...
Joe
I think the first question is: when did auto-down become available?
The second would be, does anyone have a wiring diagram of a car with auto-down, that they could scan in so that that I could look at it? Particularly if the auto-down is some sort of module, not an integral part of the window switch (which I know it is, on some cars)...
Lastly, I know there are some other cars that use some sort of locking switch. My Ford beater, for example. The switch physically locks in the "down" position, if you push it in (there's a stop that you can feel), and then unlocks when the window gets down. I think it probably uses some sort of circuit breaker to sense the current change when the motor stops. Either that, or a magnetic coil that holds the switch down once there is current flowing (that seems possible, because it will invariably release if I turn the key to "start" with the window on its way down, and one of the things that "start" does it kill power to the windows). If there is a car with the locking type switch, that was produced close in time to our cars (ie, a switch with similar physical dimensions and apperance), that might be the easiest retrofit.
Any ideas? I think it would be one of those cool little mods that doesn't necessarily jump out at you the way a new engine does, but you appreciate it on a daily basis...
Joe
