Windows don't work in e30 shell

[gofredo50]

Just finished removing the engine and trans from an e30 vert. Once we were done we went to roll up the windows so we can store the shell and nothing happens. The buttons don't light up and the windows don't roll up. It has been converted to e36 switches. Anyone know what's goin' on? Thanks!

[kronus]

you disconnected power to the fuse box, or tripped the window relay

[kronus]

you can either get power back on, or cut up some wire and poke 12V into the motors directly (you'll have to take the door cards out, then there's a 2-wire plug going to the motor behind the vapor barrier)

[FredK]

The power window circuit is grounded through the starter.

This is to ensure that when you are in the START position, the circuit is interrupted using the K5 unloader relay.

In order to operate the windows when there is no engine installed, ground terminal 85 on relay K5. When you start grounding stuff, definitely use a fused wire. That way you don't create an electrical fire if you ground the wrong terminal, which can very easily happen if you don't read the relay correctly.

If you don't know how to do this, well, use kronus's solution. Power it directly.