Window switch questions

ChemMan · ChemMan's Garage

Fuse one kept popping. I disconnected both power windows, put in a new fuse and plugged in one side at a time. The fuse is fine with the passenger side plugged in. With the drivers side plugged in, the fuse pops. The problem is the even the the fuse is fine when the passenger's side is in-the window does not roll down!
Question 1: Since I don't know if any of my switches work, is there a way to check them before I go out and buy all new ones?
Question(s) 2: Pelican has 2 fuses for sale. The APA brand is about $5 cheaper than the Kostal brand. I figured I would just get the cheaper one. Should I just get the more expensive one? Is Kostal a better brand?
Thanks,
Mike
86 carrera

DW SD · 04-24-2006, 11:55 AM

I wouldn't recommend just buying more fuses and hoping that hte problem goes away. I don't think the problem will go away. Sounds like the driver's motor is shorted or maybe one of the other wires is touching ground.

Here's a few ideas:
See if you can drive the motor up and down by connect power and ground to the contacts on the motor as a way of bench testing the motors. The switches reverse polarity to drive the windows up or down.

If you can get a wiring diagram, some of which are located on this site, you can track down the issue better. I think the SC diagram is on the site, can't remember if that is wired with relays or not. I beleve the '86 carrera has a relay for the power windows. You might try switcing the switches and see if you get the same results. If you do, it is unlikely (to me) that both switches have the same problem. That might confirm that the switches are OK.

Doug

greglepore · 04-24-2006, 11:55 AM

I'm not sure I understand what you've written above-do you mean that the fuse blows when the driver's switch for the passenger's window is plugged in? IIRC, the power to the passenger switch is fed thru the drivers side (you'll see piggybacked wires. It could be that the switch is faulty, or that one of the power feeds is shorted to ground-you could check for that with a ohmeter.

ChemMan · ChemMan's Garage

Oops. Not fuses. I dont know what I was thinking. I meant switches. I think the switch on the passengers side must be bad. I was going to buy a new one and saw that pelican had 2 brands for sale. I was wondering if I should buy the cheaper one or not.
I cant figure out why the passenger side will not work if the problem is with the drivers side. The switch seems like the only logical solution. After all, it seems very inlikely that the 2 window motors are connected in series.
Mike

tonypeoni · 04-24-2006, 04:00 PM

are your sure you didn't blow a relay its in your trunk fuse box.

greglepore · 04-24-2006, 04:28 PM

The switches are pretty much identical, none of them are what I'd call durable.

I'm betting that the problem isn't in the switch, but throw a switch at it if that makes diagnosis easier for you; they're what, 20 bucks?

Oh Haha · 04-24-2006, 07:18 PM

Hey Mike,
You can stop over anytime and look at my window switches. I had a problem with my PS not working sometimes. I bought a new switch but I found the problem to be in the wiring connecting the two sides. Tightened the connections and haven't had a problem. I think I still have a good switch if you want to try it. Let me know.

ChemMan · ChemMan's Garage

Wayne,
I will let you know. I am swamped with work and kid duty again. If the switches from the drivers side will not get the passenger window to roll down, I will try your switch.
Thanks,
Mike

Oh Haha · 04-25-2006, 03:57 AM

Kid duty? What's that?

I'll PM my home phone. Give me a call anytime.

jdowty3 · jdowty3's Garage

The passenger switch will not work unless the switch on the drivers door is conntected and working. The easiest way to find a bad switch is to swap each with the one for the drivers side window.
The switches are not very durable but the OEM switches last longer than the aftermarket ones. Post a WTB message on the For Sale BB. I bought a set of 3 used OEM switches for $20 a couple years ago. I only needed 1 but it's good to have spares.

Paulporsche · 04-25-2006, 04:39 AM

I had the same situation as Wayne. When I checked the wiring I found a bad connection. Tightening everything up stopped the fuses from blowing.

ChemMan · ChemMan's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by jdowty3
The passenger switch will not work unless the switch on the drivers door is conntected and working.

This is what I needed to know. I was worried that I would have to take apart the passengers side as well. Now I can just concentrate on the drivers side.
Mike