Window Switches/Blower Motor Inconsistent Power - Ideas for root cause?

[PeteD]

At a somewhat predictable moment the window switches and blower motor will stop getting power. At slow speeds, this isn't much of a problem. At highway driving it flicks off and on. The power will come back on when I r3v the engine.

The car will not turn on if the window switch lights aren't displayed.

The problem has characteristics of a bad/loose/dirty ground, so I went through and checked/cleaned the grounds. There might be something going on with the starter ground as I have a few washers there. I also haven't found any loose or exposed wire.

It's not a major issue, but it is a bit annoying. Does anybody have any other ideas?

It is an m50 motor swap.

Thanks!

[jlevie]

That could be a problem with the unloader relays.

[Gregs///M]

Make sure you check the grounds about the brake pedal.

[chance]

mine does similar shit. its pretty aggrivating, especially when it decides to do it when I am about to turn the car off.


PLEASE post up if you fix it

[chance]

does anyone have any ideas how to fix this? I had my console out to do the shifter for my swap, now my windows are completely non functional. The buttons dont light up either. Its like no power is getting to them.

Where can I start looking to fix this?

[dashboardmonkey]

You need a new bosch starter. Not a shitty auto zone deal. Or take the smallest wire off the starter and ground it. Make sure you dont ground the starter engage wire, that would not end well. Or it could be the unloader relay, but i doubt it.

[chance]

Yep. The unloaded in the starter is bad. I grounded the wire from the harness I made for my swap and they work now. Well, the backs don't, but that's not new. I guess window motors are to blame there

[PeteD]

Hmm interesting. I just swapped out my ignition switch - to no avail. So I'm glad to see some other ideas up here. I think the starter issue sounds promising. My starter is bosch though, so we'll see.

[chance]

Hmm interesting. I just swapped out my ignition switch - to no avail. So I'm glad to see some other ideas up here. I think the starter issue sounds promising. My starter is bosch though, so we'll see.

Easy to diagnose. Pull the unloader wire off of the starter and run it to a good ground. Thats what I did and I am going to leave it that way. All it does is make sure that all available power is going to the starter. So just try not to run all the windows down with the radio blaring and the ac blasting when trying to start the car and you wont have any problems.

[PeteD]

It makes sense because when I increase the power, the switches remain on; then when I back off the power, the power to the switches etc is inconsistent. I jumped to the conclusion of the ignition switch because the mechanic who gave me an inspection sticker the other day said his wife's BMW had similar issues and the ignition switch solved the problem.