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DISCUSSION => Electrical => Topic started by: charlesmarseille on February 16, 2009, 09:18:38 AM

Title: wierd windows, god help us!
Post by: charlesmarseille on February 16, 2009, 09:18:38 AM
ok, so on a 4dr 318i 91, i can lower my two rear windows but not the front ones. I have a button in front of the front left window switch too, dont know its purpose. no fuse blown, and no sound from both front door engines.
Title: wierd windows, god help us!
Post by: xwill112x on February 16, 2009, 09:19:45 AM
check for a short, or a incomplete circuit?
Title: wierd windows, god help us!
Post by: strad on February 16, 2009, 10:43:19 AM
I would swap the known working rear switches to the front and try it that way.  The button you speak of is a rear window switch lockout, so your kids can't play with the rear windows.
Title: wierd windows, god help us!
Post by: KenC on February 16, 2009, 02:00:41 PM
Does your blower motor work?
Title: wierd windows, god help us!
Post by: charlesmarseille on February 17, 2009, 09:21:13 PM
tryed the switches from the back ones to the front ones, front windows still dont wirk, and this button for child security doesnt work at all, and its hooked up under the center console. wierd
Title: wierd windows, god help us!
Post by: charlesmarseille on February 17, 2009, 09:21:44 PM
and yeah blower works
Title: Next thought
Post by: romeomike on April 02, 2009, 11:29:59 PM
Try gently disconnecting the wiring connector under a somewhat large rubber boot in the front doors and check for continuity/contact corrosion on pins 13 and 14. If it's any help, the driver side windows wires have violet and black insulation, while the passenger side are violet/gray and black/gray.

I had the exact opposite issue (fronts OK, rears kaput) that was cured by swapping in two salvage yard harnesses. FWIW, the connectors for the rear door harnesses are in the B-pillar under the long trim panel.

Good luck with it.
Title: Small correction
Post by: romeomike on April 07, 2009, 12:49:21 PM
Quote from: romeomike;69347
Try gently disconnecting the wiring connector under a somewhat large rubber boot in the front doors and check for continuity/contact corrosion on pins 13 and 14. If it's any help, the driver side windows wires have violet and black insulation, while the passenger side are violet/gray and black/gray.

I had the exact opposite issue (fronts OK, rears kaput) that was cured by swapping in two salvage yard harnesses. FWIW, the connectors for the rear door harnesses are in the B-pillar under the long trim panel.

Good luck with it.


The front door connector is above the door jamb switch.
Title: wierd windows, god help us!
Post by: Selfish on April 22, 2009, 11:15:45 PM
Quote from: romeomike;69347
FWIW, the connectors for the rear door harnesses are in the B-pillar under the long trim panel.

Good luck with it.


IŽm tackling this one tomorrow since weŽll be having such nice weather, did you mean between the front and rear door, on each side of the car?
Title: You nailed it
Post by: romeomike on April 23, 2009, 04:00:23 PM
Quote from: Selfish;70621
IŽm tackling this one tomorrow since weŽll be having such nice weather, did you mean between the front and rear door, on each side of the car?


Yes. As far as taking it apart goes ....

You pry/undo the cap covering a 17mm bolt holding the shoulder harness, then undo two plastic screws at the bottom of the trim panel. Be gentle as you pull the long trim panel down and away, as there are two plastic clips (easily breakable) that assist in holding the trim panel against the B-pillar. You'll then see a metal clip in the long oval cutaway hole. Move that toward you and you've found the circular connectors -- should pull apart in your hands.

So far, whenever I found wire shorts or breaks, they have been inside the rubber "grommet" between the back of the B-pillar and the front of the rear door.

Hope this helps.