Drivers Side Window Electric Working Intermitantly

Wed Mar 09, 2011 12:19 pm

Hi I need some advice on how to get my drivers side front window working on my cab.

The lights are on on the switch so I assume the connection there is OK. When pressing the buttons they only work intermitantly.

I recently changed the front speakers so not sure if have managed to loosen a connection somewhere.

At the moment the window is stuck half way down so really need to get it fixed otherwise it wont be leaving the garage.

Any help most appreciated.

Wed Mar 09, 2011 1:35 pm

Problem is usually the switch. The way they are mounted, face up, encourages all sorts of rubbish to collect inside of them over time.
Swap with the other switch to check, and if the fault moves with the switch, then they are easy to open up and clean up.

Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:22 pm

Thanks Brian, how do you get the switch out of the centre console could find an obvious way other than by forcing a screw driver under it.

Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:26 pm

Pull the gear lever gaiter up and push them up with your finger.

Wed Mar 09, 2011 11:19 pm

It's an auto is that possible?

Wed Mar 09, 2011 11:37 pm

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... dow_switch

Wed Mar 09, 2011 11:38 pm

The plate with the brush pulls out, and you may be able to reach from there. Otherwise, just lever them up at both ends. They shouldn't be difficult to pull out.

Thu Mar 10, 2011 1:13 pm

Cheers Brian, will give that a try tonight.

DaveD thanks for the wiki article if I can get the switch out I can give this a try.

Sun Mar 13, 2011 1:42 pm

Swapped the switches about and still not working so at least that rules out the switch. Brian what do you think I should try next? Ta

Sun Mar 13, 2011 2:33 pm

Next thing to do is to take the door card off, unplug the motor and apply 12 volts directly to it.

Sun Mar 13, 2011 7:31 pm

Thanks Brian will try that tomorrow night, am I right in saying thats to check the motor?

Mon Mar 14, 2011 8:57 pm

Ok window now up after connecting 12v what should I try next? Ta

Mon Mar 14, 2011 10:25 pm

Brian, nevermind got it working again, turned out the White plug that goes through to the door had separated as the clips were not tight, clipped back together and all is working.

Thanks for all your help.

Fri Mar 25, 2011 9:09 am

I have a similar problem. The switch is fine (although they will both be cleaned as the passenger side requires a very delicate touch to get it working) I can hear the motor clicking on the drivers side but no movement. I removed the door card & removed the motor to test it, as soon as it was free I tried the switch & it ran fine so refitted it, the window worked for a day or two but has now stopped again. I'll get the door card off again but wondered if there was anything I should be checking as I don't want it to become a weekly job or even worse for it to get stuck down.

Thanks

Fri Mar 25, 2011 10:17 am

Stu_Bee wrote:I have a similar problem. The switch is fine (although they will both be cleaned as the passenger side requires a very delicate touch to get it working) I can hear the motor clicking on the drivers side but no movement. I removed the door card & removed the motor to test it, as soon as it was free I tried the switch & it ran fine so refitted it, the window worked for a day or two but has now stopped again. I'll get the door card off again but wondered if there was anything I should be checking as I don't want it to become a weekly job or even worse for it to get stuck down.

Thanks

Have a good look at the plug/socket connector in the A pillar,these tend to let water in(or even condense up over winter)and cause problems.
Whilst there,have the driver's side speaker cover off and check for the 'red/black' wire mod,there's a full guide to this in the wiki now.

Fri Mar 25, 2011 10:38 am

I'll check the connections. There is some power getting to the motor though as I can hear it when I press the switch, time to get the multi meter out me thinks.

Fri Mar 25, 2011 4:44 pm

I had the same, there was some power at least the volt meter gave a reading when pressing the switches but did not seem to be strong enough to run the motor.

What I found was that the connection on the A pillar was not tight enough and intermitantly creating a connection.

As daimlerman has suggested take out the speaker, there is two boxes in there (at least there was on mine) the larger of the two is the central locking unit and the other has a relay blugged into it.

When moving the wires in the a Pilar the relay on mine kelpt clicking as if it was getting and losing power when moving the wires, once the plug was securely back together the relay only clicked when the swicth was pressed.

Getting the white plug in the A pillar tight is a bit tricky as space is very tight but it is possible.

Hope this is of some help.