Keep power to windows after car is turned off

[kumulonimbus]

I often turn off my engine and then realize that all my windows and sunroof are open. On my parent's minivan the windows keep working for a short time after the car is turned off.

Anybody know how this might be possible with a bit of rewiring? The timer isn't totally necessary. The cigarette lighter keeps its power after the car is off, and I would rather it shut off, so would it be possible to in a sense reverse the power behaviour of the cigarette lighter and window switches?

[AndrewBird]

This should do it:

http://www.the12volt.com/relays/relaydiagram30.html

Just instead of hooking your radio to it, hook the power windows to it. Then the windows will work until you open the door.

[Tino-m30b35]

With the ignition off, when you open one of the doors, my car's windows will work.

[buffalino]

With the ignition off, when you open one of the doors, my car's windows will work.

mine do the same,,, try with the door open

[Charley]

What those guy's said ^^^

[Gregs///M]

Windows are high current devices. Be sure to use wire that is of equal or greater than the cross section diameter conductor of the original wires. 12AWG wire would be safe to use for custom window power wiring.

[kumulonimbus]

With the ignition off, when you open one of the doors, my car's windows will work.

mine do the same,,, try with the door open

Is this standard in all power window-equipped E30s? My car doesn't seem to do this. Here's what I did:

• With car engine running, turn off car
• Open door
• Press window switch (doesn't work)

Windows are high current devices. Be sure to use wire that is of equal or greater than the cross section diameter conductor of the original wires. 12AWG wire would be safe to use for custom window power wiring.

Thanks for the advice, I will definitely keep this in mind.

[MoreMayhem]

With the ignition off, when you open one of the doors, my car's windows will work.

Maybe this is on non-US cars only, judging by the three who said it works for them?

Would be nice though, as all my other cars have retained accessory power for windows and radio.

[Kvasi]

My windows and sunroof also works with a door open and ign off.

[jrobie79]

as soon as I turn the car off, I have no power to anything. Same situation as the OP...

[kumulonimbus]

Maybe this is on non-US cars only, judging by the three who said it works for them?

You may be right, could be a non-US thing. Why does the US do this to us?

I wonder how the non-US ones are wired that makes the windows/sunroof behave in this way. Seems like it would be the "right" way to do this mod for US cars

[smyleboyd]

my car does this too! its a 1991 U.S. 318i so idk if its a euro car thing. i noticed one day my windows didnt work and after some thinking and research i found that it was the ground from my starter so i electrical taped it. my windows worked how they should for acouple days. then i noticed that the fan and window light on the switches stayed on after i turned off the car and took the keys out of the ignition. Should i replace the ground? Or is it a different problem? Any input is appreciated!!