E30 electric window problem

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   I have an e30 convertible and the electric windows only work if the drivers door is open or when you first get in the car while the courtesy light stays on when that goes off the windows wont work.Once the courtesy light goes of the the lights in the electric window switches go off too unless you open the drivers door then the windows will work again any ideas anyone?

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big gaz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13-November-2002 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 7	Topic: E30 electric window problem Posted: 14-January-2003 at 20:02
	I have an e30 convertible and the electric windows only work if the drivers door is open or when you first get in the car while the courtesy light stays on when that goes off the windows wont work.Once the courtesy light goes of the the lights in the electric window switches go off too unless you open the drivers door then the windows will work again any ideas anyone?

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Adam Garside Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 20-November-2002 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 70	Posted: 15-January-2003 at 17:05
	Um...... Sounds like those damn Germans doing bad wiring to me! Check all your fuses and relays one electrical problem may go unnoticed but it can impact others. My 325i has an electric sunroof that works fine when the ignition is on and seems to also open with the ignition off, but only when the drivers door is open. Weird eh?

big gaz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13-November-2002 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 7	Posted: 15-January-2003 at 19:33
	Any idea which relay to look at in the fuse box? or are there any located anywhere else? i.e under the dash thanks for the reply Adam

Alex Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member I SW Region Member Joined: 15-January-2003 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 148	Posted: 15-January-2003 at 23:15
	I suspect both these vehicles are fitted with systems which allow you to operate the electrics without the key if, for example, you've just stoped the car and, while you're getting out, you realise you've left the window open. Then you can shut it without having to go to the bother of putting the key back into the ignition. If you've shut the door and the key isn't in the ignition, presumably the car is empty and you wouldn't want the electrics on. I have driven a number of different cars where this is the case. Of course, in the case of big gaz's car, it should also operate when the ignition is on. I suspect there are 2 circuits which supply power to the windows - one from the ignition and one from the central locking system or some door opening sensor. The Haynes manual does not have a very detailed diagram for this system. Presumably, in your case, the circuit from the ignition key isn't working. Perhaps the relay is broken or there is a loose connection somewhere.
	Alex Shirley 1990 E30 325i

Alex Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member I SW Region Member Joined: 15-January-2003 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 148	Posted: 15-January-2003 at 23:32
	ohh - by the way, the relays are in the fuse box under the bonnet. This is all explained in the car's Owner's Handbook (the best I've ever seen for any car!). In case you haven't got yours, mine says that fuse 17 (30 A) is for the sliding roof and electric window lifts. Relay K5 operates the sliding roof and seat heating. It doesn't mention a relay for the windows. Apparently, the fuse box should contain spare fuses and relays and a pair of tweezers to fit them with. According to the Haynes manual, there is a relay for the windows. It fails to say which one, since the diagram covers E28, E30 and E34 models. Bear in mind that my car is a pre-87 model - the fuse/relay numbers may have changed in later ones.
	Alex Shirley 1990 E30 325i

Adam Garside Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 20-November-2002 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 70	Posted: 16-January-2003 at 09:45
	It's definatly worth checking all the fuses and relays, the nature of how most cars are put together, they seem to use a common loom and then pull feeds from that for lots of various systems. So one non-related problem can affect others. The other option would be to make up your own loom for the windows. Use fresh power feeds from the battery and an accessory feed from the ignition. My brother did this when he fitted electric windows to his Audi as that had no stock wiring for them.

randellp Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 08-January-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 3	Posted: 16-January-2003 at 11:17
	I've got exactly the same problem on my e30 320 convertible - the windows won't open with the doors closed. It's annoying because they did for a short while after buying teh car and now have stopped. It was suggested to me by a garage (not electical specialists) that it might be something to do with the oem alarm which does not function properly either, and there is no power going to the doors when they're shut. He recommended having it checked out properly. So, I'm going to take it to a car electrics/alarm place in Slough to get the alarm and windows looked at properly. I'll let you know what they come up with.

randellp Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 08-January-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 3	Posted: 20-January-2003 at 12:33
	Well, I sorted my electric window problem I checked the fuses and one 30amp fuse had blown. I replaced it and the windows worked once more! Strange that they must run off a separate circuit when the doors are open though....

big gaz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13-November-2002 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 7	Posted: 20-January-2003 at 15:50
	Hi randellp, could you tell me the fuse number that you changed so i can double check mine again

big gaz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13-November-2002 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 7	Posted: 20-January-2003 at 18:54
	Cheers Alex and randellp i've sorted it at last ! yes it was fuse number 17 as you mentioned alex,it helps if you have an e30 owners manual which i dont have. Anyone got a spare one i can have ?

Alex Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member I SW Region Member Joined: 15-January-2003 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 148	Posted: 21-January-2003 at 00:09
	Unfortunately, the manual contains the service history, so I shouldn't think you'll find any spare ones It also has stuff like cutaway diagrams of the auto 'box and explanation of how it works, and power and torque curves for all the engines in the range! Glad you got your problem sorted out.
	Alex Shirley 1990 E30 325i

mark-c Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 09-December-2002 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 92	Posted: 27-January-2003 at 15:46
	you all may be on the way to needing window switches, mine had this problem when i got it ,used to eat 30a fuses ,turned out the switches were arcing out and trying to open and close windows at the same time. a trip to gsf or europarts may be in order! i managed to dismantle and clean mine. also worth spraying silicon oil in window rubber channels for smooth operation.