electric window not working

[m3mpower]

hi all, the electric front right window of my e30 doesn't work, but the left one works, what could this be, i have checked the fuses and they are all ok.
cheers

[eko]

Could be switch?

Try swapping it with the other side and see if it works then!

[gazjon]

Try taking the window switch for that side out of the consol and opening it up. You have to be reasonable gentle to get them open and make sure nothing flys out. I have found that the terminals inside can get corrosion on them, just clean them up with a bit of emery cloth and re-assemble, making sure the springs are seated properly.

You could also check the motor itself has voltage to it. They work by reverse the polarity, so one side of the motor will be positive when opening, then switch to negative when the close button is pressed.

Hope this sets you in the right direction

[Brianmoooore]

Switch is the usual problem. Responds well to a stripdown, clean up, and a bit of silicon grease.

[m3mpower]

thanks guys

[orangecurry]

if it isn't the switch, does the window work with a door open?

I have a dodgy connection where the wires go from the door into the car-body, so sometimes the window doesn't work with the door shut, but works fine with the door open.

I must get round to pulling that white plastic connector thingy out and finding the problem....

[m3mpower]

ok, i will try, thanks

[m3mpower]

its not the switch as i have swaped them over and it still wont work

[orangecurry]

sit in the car; open the door...

stick your fingers onto the black rubber 'cover' for where the loom comes into the car body from out of the door - you should be able to see it easily with the door open - it's sort of oval and has little ribs on it, and is just above the switch which operates the interior light when the door opens.

now keeping the window button pressed down with one hand, push and wiggle that connector with the other................

anything?

[DaveD]

this may help a bit

http://www.bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/d ... Section=02

[orangecurry]

DaveD that's exactly where the bad connection is on my car (on the last picture on yor link); of course, M3Mpowers problem might be the motor, or a wiring issue somewhere else!

Just thought I'd tell you where an actual fault has occurred for me

good luck

[Brianmoooore]

The pins that corrode the fastest in the door connectors are the ones that are permanently live (the infamous red/black central locking wires), and ones that are live with the ignition (one of the mirror wires).
I wouldn't expect the window pins to be corroded to the point of failure, without the affore mentioned pins giving trouble first.
Of course, they might already have been dealt with.

[Cotty]

if it isn't the switch, does the window work with a door open?

I have a dodgy connection where the wires go from the door into the car-body, so sometimes the window doesn't work with the door shut, but works fine with the door open.

I must get round to pulling that white plastic connector thingy out and finding the problem....

That has happened to me in the past. A dealer changed a relay but it happened again. I found a blown fuse so keep a couple in the car in case it happens again

[Brianmoooore]

If one window works and the other doesn't, then it's nothing to do with any relays or fuses.
The fault can only be : the switch, the switch socket, the door pillar plug and socket, the window motor, or the wire between any of these.
The switch has been checked, switch socket is unlikely, unless obviousl melted, a break in the fairly thick wiring is unlikely, and OE motor failure is almost unheard of. (unlike the dealer retrofit ones).
This leaves the door plug and socket as No 1 suspects.

[m3mpower]

i will check all these things and let you know what happens, many thanks guys