Odd Power window issue

[88911coupe]

I've been fighting an ongoing issue with the passenger power window and decided to try and address it today since I also just noticed my power locks were not working on the passenger side. I quickly id'd the lock issue which turned out to be an old, broken plastic connector. Now to the odd power window issue.
Here is what I've have been able to determine that has me baffled.
If I hook up the switch based on several threads I can get the passenger window to go UP but only up. IF I reverse the blue and blue/black wires I can then get it to go DOWN.... but not UP.

The driver's side switch for the passenger side does not do anything one way or another...I know this is telling me something but I'll be darned if I can figure it out. Do I have a broken wire somewhere? Not sure what my next action needs to be.
Any suggestions?

TIA

[TibetanT]

I can tell you what I would do:

Buy two (2) new switches from Pelican Parts and install one on the passenger side and the other on the driver's side for the passenger window.

Your problem will most likely be resolved.

[88911coupe]

I'll try that since I think I have a couple of new ones. I have to say this problem seems to be the same even when I replace the switches. The quality seems to be pretty poor and it does not seem to matter who I order it from, all sources seem to be at the mercy of the cheap switches. The driver's side/driver's window is very old (maybe original?) and keeps just working year after year.

[TibetanT]

So now that I have looked at the Porsche wiring diagrams, here is what you might want to try if you haven't already.

Clean the Blu(e) and the Blu(e)/Bl(ac)k wire ends and their respective terminals on the switch and see if that helps.

It appears that there is a Red/BLK #2 (Pass. Driver's side switch) that connects to the Passenger switch (terminal#5). Also, there is a Red/Wht (Pass. Driver's side#1) which connects to Pass. switch (terminal#3)<
Last but not least, ensure your ground (Brown) connections are clean and that fuse #1 (25Amp) is okay. Although, I believe the fuse is okay since you are getting current to the switches.

Hope this helps. (The fact that you were able to get the window to go up and down by reversing Blu and Blu/Blk tells me the motor is okay since those wires seem to reverse the polarity to the motor. )

[TibetanT]

Forgot to mention where the ground connection is, sorry about that.
G116 according to the Porsche wiring diagrams show the ground point inside the trunk near the fuel filler tube on the frame. This ground point also grounds your Power locks, so that may be a "tell."

If this doesn't help, then the only other thing that I can see from the diagrams is there may be a relay behind your guages that needs attention.

[kodioneill]

Search "power window inop" You'll find a lot of threads there.

[88911coupe]

Thanks, I've read dozens of threads but can't seem to find anything that explains what I'm running into. I can't figure out what the problem is when I can get the window to go UP with the blue and blue black hooked up one way and then the window goes DOWN when I reverse the same two wires. It has to be telling me something I just don't get what it is...

[Justin@Athens]

Ok, TibetanT is on the right track. Power for the passenger side window runs through the driver's side switch (for the passenger window). Replacing all three is a good idea.

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by 88911coupe

Thanks, I've read dozens of threads but can't seem to find anything that explains what I'm running into. I can't figure out what the problem is when I can get the window to go UP with the blue and blue black hooked up one way and then the window goes DOWN when I reverse the same two wires. It has to be telling me something I just don't get what it is...

Buck,

Here is the correct wiring for your window switches:







Hope this helps.

pm me as needed.

Good luck,

Gerry

[88911coupe]

Thanks all, I am starting to think the issue may be with either the blue or blue/black wire from the passenger switch to the motor since I can get it to go up or down by switching these back and forth. I "think" one of them is good and depending on if the good wire is being hooked up to the motor it's causing it to go up or down. I'm going to see if I can trace both the wires and find a break or maybe get a meter on then to test for continuity.

[88911coupe]

Finally have identified the problem...no continuity from the rubber connector to the switch on the Red/Black wire. Red/white and brown ground have continuity to switch. I assume I have to replace the harness that goes down the interior and into the door...how hard is it to get this harness out and replaced. Any suggestions for a workaround before I start yanking on the wires?

TIA

[88911coupe]

FIXED IT!!!! After staring at the diagrams for hours I finally thought it may be one of the two power wires. Sure enough I had not power on one of the two 12v wires. Found a break in the black/red wire from the socket to the switch. Total PITA to get it fixed/patched but working fine. Had a moment of confusion when I could work the window from the driver's side but it would only go down on the switch. THAT turned out to be blamed on a buggy (BRAND NEW) switch. I'm the only one in the car 99% of the time so I decided to declare victory and have a beer.
BTW...those switches are complete POSs.

[Roadnuts]

Hello all, just wanted to share my experience with a 1983 Porsche 911 SC. I was looking for common issues, when I stumbled upon this forum. Great info all around! My windows would not roll down on either side, so I figured it was a main switch or power/ground issue. After checking the basics, I began testing the driver's window switch. I happened to be checking the door harness, when I noticed inside the front fender. There was a connector unplugged that goes from the body to the door. This was providing power and ground to both switches. After very carefully reconnecting the connector, both windows work normally. I did also find a loose ground next to the fuse box. Hope this helps someone out there!

[Gideon911]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

Buck,

Here is the correct wiring for your window switches:







Hope this helps.

pm me as needed.




Good luck,

Gerry

This was incredibly helpful to me. Thanks very much for posting these photos