Not sure if this is the right section. Mods, feel free to move if it isn't.

I own an 84 Z28. The car currently has power windows. I'm not sure if they work or not. Regardless, the driver's door needs to be replaced because of a rust spot. While looking around, I got the idea of getting 'manual' windows instead of power. Did they make non-power option windows for the 3rd gen? If so, were they more or less problematic than the powered ones?

My second question pertains to the car locks. At the moment, the locks do not function on either side. I thought about installing an alarm system, but figured what's the point if the locks don't work?. Would there be a way to get a 'remote' to lock/unlock the locks already on the car, or would it require extensive modding?

If something doesn't make since I apologize; I've been up for about ~24 hours straight. Thanks in advance for the input guys.

 

Ya, they made non power windows on 3rd Gens. My 84 originally had crank windows. I did the opposite of you, and went to power.

As for the locks. are the actuators bad? Seems odd they both have failed, you might want to check your fuses to make sure they are good.

If it is a fuse, and the locks start working again. Then you can buy any alarm and be able to tie into those and make it work with the alarm.

If the actuators are bad, you can buy aftermarket ones and they install pretty easy. Again, any alarm will be able to tie into those too.

Hope that helps

 

Got bored between when I posted and now. I opened the hood, disconnected the battery, took it out and cleaned battery cables via the Coke method. Cleaned the bolts as well as washers (not sure what they're really called). Reattached everything.

The locks DO work now, to an extent. When I say this, I mean, I'll hit lock, the little orange section on the inside of the door will slide in, but the door will still be unlocked. Hit unlock, little piece with the orange slides out and the door is still unlocked.

I started messing around with the piece on the lower side on the inside of the door, pushed it upward and now my door won't shut because the piece won't wrap around the rod on the inside of the door frame. For whatever reason I can't get it back into the original position either. Help?

 

Anyone?

 

Not sure what you're talking about but if it's the latch then open the handle and pull the latch back open. Hope this helps and good luck.

 

Just tried that, it didn't budge.

 

Got a pic? That really sounds like the problem. Be sure the door is unlocked.

 

Really sorry it took so long to respond. Got caught up with work and family. Here's a pic.

 

It's definitely latched. You may have to pry it back open. A little lubricant may help.

 

I also had a problem with the actuator on the driver side not engaging/pushing the lock back or forward. Inside under the panel there is one long rod running from the actuator to the lock. The catch is that in the middle of that rod there are two loops that connect both sides of the rod together and there was slop at that point. They weren't fastened together properly and that caused it to have some play so it was not pushing/pulling the way it should. I put a small bolt in one of the loopholes (you will know what I'm talking about when you get in there) with a nut and that removed the play. Works great know.As far as the latch being stuck you must engage/pull the handle while prying the latch at the same time .That should work.

 

Spray the latch with lube lift up on the outside door handle and flip the latch up with your finger or a screw driver. My 81 firebird did that all the time and this method always did the trick.

 

ron are you talking about the "closed u" piece that is riveted to the door inner skin that the rod rides in? Mine is doing something like yours where it will try to lock but it needs a tiny hair of assistance.... replaced actuator, removed all rods and latch, cleaned, lubed and still the same.... seems like it needs a hair more pull to the actuator to work properly with one press of the button....

 

Do you have a Chilton's book by any chance. According to the book its called a inside locking rod that runs horizontally behind mostly the metal plate that blocks most of the door making it hard to work on,grab it and work it from side to side and see if it feel as if there is play. Its only going to be a very small amount of play ,just enough to mess with the locks
Find the rod and look behind the metal plait and you should see the loops. I never said this was going to be a easy fix .Its really in a hard spot to get to. Let me know how it gos.