Power Windows not working on 87 3.2

[Mauricio911]

Both power windows stopped working in my 87 3.2. They were working just fine until recently.

After replacing the power window relay I now have power at the switches. Yet both windows still dont work. I also checked ground G116 (see pic) and it seems fine.

I tried grounding the brown wire going to the switch just to double check that the ground was fine. I also checked continuity between G116 and the brown wires and it was fine.

I could really use some suggestions here. I am at a loss right now.

Thanks, Mauricio

Pic taken from another post

[DRACO A5OG]

Swap the switches around if one is toast it will effect the other

[mojarra2929]

IŽd check the 25A fuse at luggage compartment fuse box 3. If that fuse is Ok, I'd check the power window relay wiring. You said that the problem started after installing a new power window relay. Are female terminals at the relay base well inserted in the relay contacts?

I would also check voltage (need a multimeter) between contacts 7 and 9 with the power window relay removed and the ignition switch in the acc or run position.

Regards

Miguel

[Mauricio911]

This is killing me...

The problem started before i replaced the relay. When the windows stopped working I replaced the relay after testing it.

the 25A fuse at the luggage is fine. I triple check it
I also changed the switches around. One of them is new. Nothing worked. Again i do have power at the switches and a good ground at the switches.

I decided to apply power to both window motors. So I run power to the blue/black and the blue wires on both doors. Making sure that the ground was good. Both motors did not move the windows. I tried reversing the wiring and nothing.

Would everyone agree that the problem is most likely inside each door? The car does have an aftermarket alarm system which can roll the windows up and down. Disabling the alarm made no difference.
I really dont want to take the door panel off. but i cant think of anything else that it could be since i applied power directly to the window motors.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by Mauricio911

The car does have an aftermarket alarm system which can roll the windows up and down. Disabling the alarm made no difference.

Aftermarket alarms are always the first thing to question. There may be something inside the doors that activates/deactivates the p/windows.
If you have power to the switches and you know that both switches work then the next step is to check the wiring between the switches and the motors. Taking the door panels off is easy enough.

[preston_brown]

See if you can make the motors run with 12V. Yes, you will have to open your doors. These motors are known to go out...but probably not at exactly the same time. I've replaced both of mine over 8 years of ownership of my '87, at different times.

[Jgordon]

Draco, I have to disagree. I had the driver's side, passenger window switch go out on me. Replaced it with the passenger side, dropped the dead switch in the passenger door, drove for another 20k miles before replacing.

I agree, unlikely that they'd both go at the same time. Unless you had some surge which may have knocked them out?

Also, on your alarm diagnosis - do you know if the alarm fails with control to the windows? Might be a problem there, and also might be that if the system goes, it takes control of the windows with it.

[Mauricio911]

I am taking the car in tommorrow to have the alarm looked at. Supposely there is a lifetime warranty on the alarm (not sure if they will honor that since the alarm is 12 years old).

The fact that that both motors and the relay would all go at the same time is very strange.
I will keep you guys posted.
Thanks for the suggestions.

[Mauricio911]

Problem fixed. It was the alarm!

[88911coupe]

Can someone explain how an alarm would affect one window? I'm trying to resolve an issue with my pass. side window and my car HAD an alarm that has been removed. I'm wondering if the issue may be tied to the alarm being removed but I can't imagine how.
TIA

[sennasixty8]

If the alarm has internal or external relays to enable windows, the brain of the alarm can disable that function if dead,by blocking current flow outside the brain.

[Mauricio911]

on my case the alarm had modules that could lower and raise the windows.
Checking that the voltage was getting to the window switch helped me narrow down the issue that it was likely the alarm.

[brads911sc]

If your driver side switch for the pass window is bad or disconnected, the pass side switch/window will not work. Confirm that driver side switch that controls pass side window works?

Originally Posted by 88911coupe

Can someone explain how an alarm would affect one window? I'm trying to resolve an issue with my pass. side window and my car HAD an alarm that has been removed. I'm wondering if the issue may be tied to the alarm being removed but I can't imagine how.
TIA

[88911coupe]

I mentioned this on my other original post but I fixed it finally! It turned out to be a break (no damage to cover visible) the black/red wire of the wire harness from the connection below the windshield and the switch in the door. I also found out one of my NEW switches was a little buggy. At least I know it works and all the switches work...fr the most part...LOL! It works fine from the driver's side and I'm the only one in the car 99% of the time so it's on to to other things. This had been one of those annoying little issues that has been nagging at me for a year. I should have been looking for a broken wire in the first place b/c it had worked sporadically in the past when I opened/closed the window.

[bigel]

And there you go...nice work Buck!

I've been dealing with a compromised door stay on my driver's side door since I got my 87 Targa; the result is a door swing that is too wide even though the door stay is still in place and although "works" for the most part.

I'm concerned that ultimately I'll be dealing with broken wires on the harness that passes through the driver's side door to the hinge side of the car body.