Early e30 windows connected to overhead light relay?

[downforce22]

I found an interesting trick on my 1986 325iX today. I finally connected the door switch correctly so the overhead lights turn on when the door opens and I noticed when that happens the lighted window switches I swapped into this particular car turn on.

So why not press them? Well the windows roll down and the sunroof opens too! When the doors are closed they do not work, but if you open the doors all three motors can be operated.

Obviously this setup is not really ideal when you can open the door and roll the windows down. Has anybody heard of this? I tried it in my '91 iX and of course the window switches do not light up and you cannot roll the windows down by just opening the door.

Is this something to do with the lighted and unlighted window switches?

Super weird, anybody else have this problem? Did I connect it up wrong?

[downforce22]

nobody huh?

[evilnickwong]

It's the same behaviour in my 1991 sedan. Power windows work with ignition off when the door is opened. Not sure if it's the original behavior or if previous owners changed something.

[delamaize]

Your car is haunted....sorry dude.

[reelizmpro]

86 iX? Us spec iX are 88-89. You must have a euro model and I just read that they were wired that way. No US car does that.

[downforce22]

Thanks guys and yes it is a grey market. The tag under the engine bay calls out '325'. Thanks for the info. I may take a look at the wiring diagrams for the early e30s. I wonder if it can be switched?

[tschultz]

For reference, the euro cars had unique wiring compared to US cars. For example, on the E28 based cars, I had read the power windows work without a key in the ignition.

Last year I mentioned it to a friend with an M635, and he didn't know about it so we decided to check it out on his car.
Low and behold, they worked! I think it's a common thing, a difference in US vs European wiring. For another example, just look at the E24 (euro) city lights. On US cars, they removed the city light and wired in a dual filament bulb into the turn signals. So the turn signal acts as a running light and also as a turn signal.

[spdracrm3]

i remember reading about this on S14.net also regarding some M3's doing this and some did some didnt (maybe again US vs Euro or grey market car) ,i wonder if the relay is different or if its also wiring thats different , if you find a wiring diagram of that function would love to see it and see if it can be retrofitted to US cars, and/or maybe pictures of your relay and wiring (relay part #?)

wonder if it turns on the K5 unloader relay (power for windows and heated seats) by grounding it at the light dimmer module?

[Ray Smoodiver]

My South African spec E30 does the window trick as well.

[spdracrm3]

this is a response i just got on s14power about the m3's

"Its a tiny add-on loom that provides this function, it literally just plugs in! "

interesting ,would like to see a wiring diagram for it .

wonder if its #6 in this diagram

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1001&mospid=47266&btnr=61_0472&hg=61&fg=10

[spdracrm3]

comfort relay diagram from S14power

[N-Gen]

I've got a UK spec and have noticed this behaviour the first time I got the car. It was like...whoa...how..what...magic!