Dead Passenger Side

[Hypnogaja]

It seems as if the whole electrical system on the passenger side has become possesed!?

Power locks work and interior lights work ONLY if done from from the drivers side (i.e opening driver side door turns lights on, open passenger door=nothing.)

Power windows are dead on that side too (wont go down if I press any buttons), but I do notice my RPMs drop and my lights dim when I try to lower them.

So where do I start. Hope this doesn't take 3mos to fix. Refer to "318i not charging" thread if you know what I mean. :

1985 318i 4dr

212,540mi and still ticking!

[wcleafs]

the problems could be related or could be seperate
obviously check the light switch in the door and see if it has continuity with an ohm meter.

the dimming of lights and rpm drop indicates a very good power drain, it is not a short but sounds like the power window motor is siezed or something. The dimming of the lights is a large current drain.

A good start would be the wiring diagram, identify the wires for the door light switch and test them in place. with the door closed it should show infinite resistance with it open it should show no or low resistance. if the resistance does not change then it is possible the switch is gone. take the switch out and jump the wires to see if they cause the light to go on.

as for the window motor check the wiring diagram and see if the leads connect to the coil of the motor. if so then that should be close to zero resistance if not it is a possible bad motor in that window.

Hope that helps

ghead

[leetman]

the lockign and unlocking system on my car is possesed too....

no joke I wonder if ghosts specifically haunt old bmws.....?

[theratdude64]

mebe your car had a stroke

I agree LOL my bimmer is freakin posessed too! ghead Givin me all sorts of crap i didnt even know could exhist

[draculia]

for the power window switches take them out and clean them. they are very easy to take apart, 4 little clips hold the bottom on. pull the bulbs off, and use a fine wire brush and some contact cleaner or whatever works for you. that should solve that problem.

for the door lights, there is a contact switch. most likely you are having the same issue with this, the contacts are dirty and corroded and not making a proper connection.

the power locks could be the same i guess, just check all the connections.

[crxtorx7]

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/frame_e30.html