E30 Zone

My windows seem to start/stop working when they like? The window lock button packed up a few weeks ago but i joined the wires and everything seemed good untill the last couple of days! Any ideas? (its a 88 convertible) Thanks.

First thing I'd do is check the switches. Whip 'em out and clean the contacts.

Tried that already, cleaned em but no joy, thinking the problem could be abit more serious!

In that case I would get the door cards off in order to clean and re-grease the runners.

The electric windows are powered by two circuits depending on the ignition state and whether the doors are open, and therefore have two fuses, so firstly check your fusebox that both are ok.

Next, with the ignition off, open the car door and listen for a click from the glovebox. That should be the relay (a blue one) switching the circuits. You should also see the lights in the switches start to glow.

Next, look on the A-pillar for the button-switch that controls that circuit; it's often tapped into by aftermarket alarm fitters, so may have been tampered with. Give it a few presses to see if the switch lights go on-off, and listen for the relay clicking.

If it's not the switches going grimy, or the motors starting to pack up (they do get rusty inside, over time) then it'll be those issues, as well as the wiring plug in the A-pillar for each door.