Window switch issues

[martiniqueln]

1989 911 coupe
The window on drivers side works properly but the switch on the drivers side for passenger window works sometimes. The passenger switch going down works all the time but going up sometimes. Which switch is bad ? And does part # 911 613 621 03 ( interchangeable for all switches .

Thanks Experts

[Marc Bixen]

Yes, all 3 switches are interchangeable!

[martiniqueln]

Thanks Marc , which switch do you think is bad?

[darrin]

Originally Posted by martiniqueln

Thanks Marc , which switch do you think is bad?

I'd pick up 2 for 2 reasons 1) good chance both of your passenger window switches are bad, and 2) the new switches will likely look (at least slightly) different than the old ones and you can install both new switches on the driver's side and move the good driver's window switch to the passenger side to keep all looking good -- be sure to take pictures of wires' positions/colors on each switch before removing, easy to mix them up on reassembly

[Mike Andrew]

I would also create a diagram in your shop manual for future reference. Will likely not be the only time you replace one of these switches. Not the greatest longevity item.

[76FJ55]

You could also swap the 2 switches in the drivers door and see how that effects the system.

[martidj]

Try spraying CRC silicone spray around switches. Switch contacts get dirty over time. Spray switch and work it with power off, this worked for me. I also cleaned the window channels.

[wazzz]

I think only the switch on passenger side could be failing. And that is enough to make the switch on driver side appear like it is failing too while in fact it is ok. Electric connection to the window motor on passenger side goes through the passenger side switch. I believe this one switch is to be checked first.

[hcoles]

This may not be exactly relevant to your situation. I had the pass. window stop working (either of the two switches would not make it work) I removed the door card and tapped the motor with the handle of a screwdriver. Now it works with either switch.

[mikehinton]

I have a similar issue. On my '87, the passenger window can only be raised or lowered with the switch in the driver's door. I swapped the switches, and that did not solve the problem. Is there some sort of relay in the driver door?

[darrin]

Originally Posted by mikehinton

I have a similar issue. On my '87, the passenger window can only be raised or lowered with the switch in the driver's door. I swapped the switches, and that did not solve the problem. Is there some sort of relay in the driver door?

has this always been the case? If so, could be that your window switches are now mis-wired. Don't believe there's any relay involved between the doors.

[pavegeno]

I carry two or three spares in the car. Takes 3 minutes to swap them out and having them on board has saved me as the rain approached. Simple swap, just unplug one of the many wires/spade connectors and plug in to the corresponding position on the new switch. Rep eat until done.

[mikehinton]

Originally Posted by darrin

has this always been the case? If so, could be that your window switches are now mis-wired. Don't believe there's any relay involved between the doors.

It has been that way since 2007, when I purchased the car. The previous owner wasn't able to diagnose it either.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Wanna know who had to take apart their door and bungled the wiring on their switches in the process this past weekend??? THIS GUY!

Quick google for my 911 1978 window wiring pulled up a diagram. Perhaps try 89'. Perhaps they are the same. My wires were a little tight and hard to pull far enough out to change one wire at a time. If that's the case, snap some pics of the wires before you pull them for reference.

[boomvang1]

Take pics AND make a diagram. Spent a frustrating hour trying to get them working correctly.

[wazzz]

Originally Posted by mikehinton

I have a similar issue. On my '87, the passenger window can only be raised or lowered with the switch in the driver's door. I swapped the switches, and that did not solve the problem. Is there some sort of relay in the driver door?

This could be due to a faulty or missing ground on pin 4 of passenger switch. Check the diagram above. If you can figure out a missing ground on this pin, you'll see passenger switch would be useless in this case. However the driver side switch for passenger window would still allow to move passenger window. And that's exactly what you describe. You should check this ground as a starting point.
Note that your '87 Carrera uses different color wires for other pins, but pin 4 is still brown (ground). Also, there is indeed a power window relay in Carreras that didn't exist for previous generations of 911, but it only controls power feed to the three switches and you can forget it in your case since other switches work normally. Check the diagram in Bentley if you have it.

[bluvan]

88 here with intermittent issues on drivers side. replaced switches same issue. i believe mine is a grounding issue as the central locking on that side is also becoming intermittent.

indy mech gave me a hack - slam the door while holding the switch down, has worked for me every time the window switch acts up.

[mikehinton]

Originally Posted by wazzz

This could be due to a faulty or missing ground on pin 4 of passenger switch. Check the diagram above. If you can figure out a missing ground on this pin, you'll see passenger switch would be useless in this case. However the driver side switch for passenger window would still allow to move passenger window. And that's exactly what you describe. You should check this ground as a starting point.
Note that your '87 Carrera uses different color wires for other pins, but pin 4 is still brown (ground). Also, there is indeed a power window relay in Carreras that didn't exist for previous generations of 911, but it only controls power feed to the three switches and you can forget it in your case since other switches work normally. Check the diagram in Bentley if you have it.

I do have the Bentley manual, and will check it out next week. Will report back then. Thanks for the info!

[Conekiller]

I had a similar issue and as someone else said the motor can get “stuck”. I pulled the switch and then wired a battery right to motor leads and the window went up and down. Put the switch back in and everything worked fine. I’ve had to do that twice after the car had been sitting all winter

Edit- I see that yours is working from the drivers side. My passenger window wouldn’t work from either switch