electric window problem

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
TOFTY
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Feb 11, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: leeds

Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:54 pm

out of the blue my o/s/f window stopped half way and wouldnt budge!
so checked the switch / swapped it for another with no luck !
took the door card off fed the motor with power and the window went back up!
still the switch wouldnt move the window up or down!
so i checked the power to the switch and to the motor and at the connection at the A post and its all live !
anybody got any ideas caus its got me!?????????
88 325 cabby
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49358
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:12 am

Where, exactly did you check the power at the A post, and with what?
Was the motor plugged in at the time?
TOFTY
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Feb 11, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: leeds

Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:02 am

i followed the red and black wires from the motor that plug in at the post and tested at the point where the wires plug in .
tested it with a 12v test everything was plugged in as normal!
so my motor works , the switch has power and there are no brakes in the wires that i can see!
so everything seems fine BUT wont work!
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49358
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Wed Sep 24, 2008 2:21 pm

What's a 12 volt test?
TOFTY
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Feb 11, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: leeds

Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:04 pm

sorry i meant a circuit tester
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49358
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Wed Sep 24, 2008 9:49 pm

Thing with a dim bulb in it?
Not sure how much current those things take, but you can get false readings with high impedance testers.
A considerable series resistance (fault) can still allow a tester to show a voltage present on an otherwise unloaded circuit, which will virtually disappear when the circuit is loaded.
TOFTY
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Feb 11, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: leeds

Thu Sep 25, 2008 7:24 pm

yeah was told that today !
think i'm going to have to bite the bullet and see an auto electrician .
thanks for your time anyway Brian :D
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49358
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Thu Sep 25, 2008 8:34 pm

Absolutely no need to call in outside (payable) help! Just repeat your tests using a 21W 12 volt bulb, and you'll get more meaningful results.
By what you've said already, the problem is likely to be the pins and buckets of the plug and socket in the A pillar.
TOFTY
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Feb 11, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: leeds

Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:27 pm

again thanks ,
will try what you have said :D
User avatar
corkie
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2151
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Hertfordshire

Fri Sep 26, 2008 5:20 pm

hi i had a similar problem a while back,some good zoner suggested i try some silicone grese (spray) in the runners ,it worked a treat and still is give it a go and good luck. :D
e30
Post Reply