Rear window relay? - BMW Forum

Numark318i · 09-07-2008, 03:23 PM

so my rear windows do not function. wheres the relay? Is there a relay?

is this a common problem?

I know the switches are fine, cause A: i cleaned them, B: i tried the front ones in the rear ones spots. Still nothing. I cant operate them in the front or rear.

so....?

gotKRAUT · 09-07-2008, 03:26 PM

motor is probably shot in all honesty...it happens

pull the door panel and make sure the wiring is all kosher

Numark318i · 09-07-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotKRAUT

motor is probably shot in all honesty...it happens

pull the door panel and make sure the wiring is all kosher

on both motors at the same time?

blah. She already needs a windshield and a new shift knob. Not ready to change window motors.

btw where did you get that shift knob u have? Will it fit my B/M short shifter? Does it take a beating? I bought a BMW leather knob for $65...and I broke the inside while shifting into second one day...

gotKRAUT · 09-07-2008, 05:43 PM

ohh both windows....probably a fuse and or relay...consult the bentley i dont have mine handy

gotKRAUT · 09-07-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numark318i

btw where did you get that shift knob u have? Will it fit my B/M short shifter? Does it take a beating? I bought a BMW leather knob for $65...and I broke the inside while shifting into second one day...

its a z4 2.8 5 speed metallic edition with optional leather wrap...lol its a BMW specialty accessory knob..the shift rod is a z4 3.0...really dont know if it fits the B&M but it fits factory shifters

its pretty hardcore, its metal and genuine leather...the clips inside are metal i believe...never had an issue and i quick shift like a moefoe...

Numark318i · 09-07-2008, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotKRAUT

its a z4 2.8 5 speed metallic edition with optional leather wrap...lol its a BMW specialty accessory knob..the shift rod is a z4 3.0...really dont know if it fits the B&M but it fits factory shifters

its pretty hardcore, its metal and genuine leather...the clips inside are metal i believe...never had an issue and i quick shift like a moefoe...

k. will look for that shift knob.

and will consult bentley.

thanks.

romeomike · 03-18-2009, 01:08 PM

Some things to check (as neither of my rears work either):

On the 91, fuse 17 (30A) controls the windows. You have a small rectangular circuit breaker above the right front console window switch. If the fuse is OK and the breaker is pushed in (no red exposed) the console switches should light up. On my 91, there's a small square button (kid switch for the rear windows) above the left front console switch. When that's toggled correctly then the switches in the rear doors should light up.

I think what I'm up against are shorts in the wiring harness.

To borrow what Clubber Lang predicted in Rocky III: "Pain!"

romeomike · 03-24-2009, 12:45 AM

Follow-up:

After more thorough cleaning of two window switches, the left rear window is now working.

Numark318i · 03-24-2009, 01:02 AM

yea i cleaned all the switches, tried every combination.

Im sure its a fuse, but honestly im lazy to check them. No one rides in the back of the 318. And i dont roll em down.

romeomike · 03-28-2009, 02:35 AM

Pulled a rear door electrical harness (61 12 1 381 097) from a salvage yard . Successfully swapped it into the 91.

So now the right rear works and we're not popping circuit breakers and blowing fuses, but the left rear has gone inoperative again.

Prayerfully, there's another harness to be had....

silversled · 03-28-2009, 07:21 PM

just the rear windows? all of a sudden like? the front windows work fine?

romeomike · 03-29-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silversled

just the rear windows? all of a sudden like? the front windows work fine?

Mercifully it has only been the rear windows -- sudden onset -- front windows have worked fine since day 1.

On the wires leading out from the left rear window motor, I found a quarter-inch piece of insulation worn away from both wires near the connector end. After using electrical tape to fix that, I hooked it back up, but there was no improvement.

I then swapped in the second salvage yard harness, and now all my windows and door locks work.

romeomike · 03-31-2009, 02:25 AM

About a foot from the B-pillar connector, the left harness had three wires that had flexed to the breaking point (black/yellow and both blue/greens).

With the right harness, in the same location, the black/yellow and larger blue/green wire had bare copper exposed, and I'm fairly sure that was the cause of the short.

Praise God for inexpensive replacement parts and the mechanical talent to get it done.