Power Windows Gremlin…..WTF…..

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  • g.ruff561
    E30 Fanatic
    • Mar 2009
    • 1261

    #1

    Power Windows Gremlin…..WTF…..

    1990 Alpineweiss coupe. Automatic. Check this out. When the ignition switch is in position 1, my power window switches illuminate and operate up and down as they should. On start up, once the engine powers up and is running, the switches go black and do not work up or down at all. WTF….. I’ve checked fuses, relays????? Thanks in advance.
  • sna77
    Wrencher
    • Apr 2023
    • 206

    #2
    Originally posted by g.ruff561
    1990 Alpineweiss coupe. Automatic. Check this out. When the ignition switch is in position 1, my power window switches illuminate and operate up and down as they should. On start up, once the engine powers up and is running, the switches go black and do not work up or down at all. WTF….. I’ve checked fuses, relays????? Thanks in advance.
    I had a bad power window lock (circuit breaker)

    I ended up replacing the breaker: 61311369375 and all the switches:61311381205​
    Last edited by sna77; 03-10-2024, 05:51 AM.
    1992 318i cabrio Alpinweiss 2
    2006 ZHP cabrio Imola​

    Comment

    • g.ruff561
      E30 Fanatic
      • Mar 2009
      • 1261

      #3
      Thanks for the feedback. I’m gonna swap in a known working circuit breaker and see what happens.

      Comment

      • AWDBOB
        R3V Elite
        • Aug 2013
        • 4391

        #4
        Possible bad K5 relay?

        "We can see we are dealing with fuse 17, which has a rating of 30 amps. We can also see in the diagram that fuse 17 is "hot in run only from unloader relay K5" This means our windows will only receive power via fuse 17 when the car is in run, and relay K5 is switched on."

        From this thread:


        1989 Hooptie 325iS Build Thread
        1989 Zinnoberrot M3 Build Thread

        Comment

        • g.ruff561
          E30 Fanatic
          • Mar 2009
          • 1261

          #5
          Just swapped in a known working K5 relay. Problem still exists. Power in position one. No power after crank and running. WTH…. Bob do you have a good power window circuit breaker.? I have plenty of power window switches, but no pw circuit breaker.

          Comment

          • AWDBOB
            R3V Elite
            • Aug 2013
            • 4391

            #6
            Originally posted by g.ruff561
            Just swapped in a known working K5 relay. Problem still exists. Power in position one. No power after crank and running. WTH…. Bob do you have a good power window circuit breaker.? I have plenty of power window switches, but no pw circuit breaker.
            I've got a tested circuit breaker! I'll text you tomorrow
            1989 Hooptie 325iS Build Thread
            1989 Zinnoberrot M3 Build Thread

            Comment

            • g.ruff561
              E30 Fanatic
              • Mar 2009
              • 1261

              #7
              This is weird. As soon as the starter turns to crank, the power window switches go black and do not work. 🙁

              Comment

              • g.ruff561
                E30 Fanatic
                • Mar 2009
                • 1261

                #8
                Just got a tip from Jon Gilbert. Could be the ignition switch. I just ordered a new one. I’ll give it a shot. If anything it’s money well spent. The car has the original ignition switch. A new one couldn’t hurt.

                Comment

                • g.ruff561
                  E30 Fanatic
                  • Mar 2009
                  • 1261

                  #9
                  New switch should be in today. Updates to follow.

                  Comment

                  • g.ruff561
                    E30 Fanatic
                    • Mar 2009
                    • 1261

                    #10
                    Bump in the road. Ordered switch at the dealer. They said it would be in the next day. Went over the next day for pickup, found out part was out of stock. ?????? WTF????? Dealer ordered by Vin. It appears they may be vin specific. I have to try other sources. Dammmmnnn! I was pumped for the install.

                    Comment

                    • g.ruff561
                      E30 Fanatic
                      • Mar 2009
                      • 1261

                      #11
                      Ok update. I have swapped in a new ignition switch. Put all the pieces back together on the steering column. Ignition works as it should and engine starts and runs as it should.. Still power windows will not operate after the engine turns over and is running. New wrinkle……I have 2 dash lights that do not go out after start up. My abs light and my brake pad sensor light are constantly on while the engine is running. Normal operation is these light come on at start up, then go out.
                      FYI, my front and rear brake pad sensor circuits are closed circuit.s. Both circuits have been closed for 2 years. I visually check my pad wear. This light should not be on. WTF……..

                      Comment

                      • Panici
                        Moderator
                        • Dec 2009
                        • 2324

                        #12
                        Maybe worth the effort to check all the grounds in the car.

                        Seemingly unrelated electrical issues can sometimes be traced back to a flaky ground.

                        '87 BMW E30 325is Turbo

                        '99 BMW E36 M3 - - - '98 BMW E36 328i

                        Comment

                        • g.ruff561
                          E30 Fanatic
                          • Mar 2009
                          • 1261

                          #13
                          Thanks Panici. I gonna start that this weekend. First thing I’m gonna do is jump the center console power window circuit breaker suggested by AWDBOB. Don’t get me wrong, my ac works well. I rarely use my sunroof or windows. As a matter of fact I don’t know many E30 owners who use their sunroof on a regular basis. I wish my 90 325i was a slick top.

                          Comment

                          • g.ruff561
                            E30 Fanatic
                            • Mar 2009
                            • 1261

                            #14
                            Anybody ever heard of a comfort relay? There are videos that show the E36 comfort relay location. But I can’t seem to find any info on the E30 comfort relay location or if the E30 has one.

                            Comment

                            • g.ruff561
                              E30 Fanatic
                              • Mar 2009
                              • 1261

                              #15
                              Update fail. Jumped power windows circuit breaker. Problem persists. No power to windows after crank and engine running.

                              Comment

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