The windows used to automatically lower whenever I opened or close the door. They no longer do this and the windows jam whenever I try to close the doors. Any ideas how to fix this?

do you mean when you pull the handle the window lowers very slightly and then when you close it, it goes back up?

A friend of mine had the exact same thing happen. In his case, one of the fuses blew. I don't know which fuse it was, but at least it's give you a place to start troubleshooting/researching.

Do a search for reseting the windows
- I know it sounds like a snipe hunt, but it is FOR REAL.
I've forgotten how, but know it's there under e36 category

My passenger side window goes up and down when the door is opened, but the driver door never worked. Sometimes, when I close the door, the window gets sort of pushed out of place and then a minute later pops back into place and it sounds like someone punching the door....

Scared the crap out of me the first few times I drove the car...

As a temp fix, you can always manually press the buttons when the doors are being closed so the windows are in place as you drive.

This is mostly cause by a faulty switch in the doorlatch or striker that makes the window drop.

This is mostly cause by a faulty switch in the doorlatch or striker that makes the window drop.
True, there is a black plastik clamp that holds your door in the middle. There is a little button in that clamp that makes your window go up/down. check that button.

note: it can have effect on your OEM alarm because if the switch is buggy, your alarm can think suddenly that someone opens the door. (me and my neighbours have experience with that ;))

Check your fuses first...

I just had this problem happen to me today...

Check your fuses first...

WINNAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fuse #14, "Front Window Lift" was blown. It's a 30 Amp Fuse.

Replaced the fuse and BAM! I'm back in business.

One thing that I observed: When my fuse blew, BOTH windows stopped lowering and lifting. And it's a LOT harder to close your doors correctly with this not functioning. So, if its BOTH windows, definitely check the fuse first.

Thanks guys. When I had my problem materialize, I remembered seeing this thread and this was the first place I went for a solution.

Same issue here today on my car. When I checked that fuse, sure enough it was blown. I replaced it with the 30 AMP like you said to do and it works again, however the fuse I took out was a 20 AMP fuse (looked like original fuse)...can someone please verify that is the right fuse? Just want to make sure there isn't another problem.

Thanks.

Same issue here today on my car. When I checked that fuse, sure enough it was blown. I replaced it with the 30 AMP like you said to do and it works again, however the fuse I took out was a 20 AMP fuse (looked like original fuse)...can someone please verify that is the right fuse? Just want to make sure there isn't another problem.

Thanks.

When I removed the 30a, I confirmed that it's supposed to be a 30a. It will tell you on either your owner's manual or on the fusebox cover what the correct size is for each fuse. Look and verify. But I'm pretty sure 30 is right.

Edit: Last night I checked and it's DEFINITELY a 30 amp fuse. The fuse box lid lists the amperage that is supposed to be used for each of your fuses. The fuse is called something like "front window lift", and if I remember correctly, it's #14 or something like that.

I will need to check mine...the passenger side doesnt drop as it should.

Glad I found this thread :)

:alright

I have an early '94 convertible and my windows do not do this. Are mine not working either or does my car even have this feature? I looked at the fuses and see nothing wrong but I certainly could have missed something. Thanks in advance.....

yes, your 94 should have it. My 94 does, though my dirvers door one is broken. :(

True, there is a black plastik clamp that holds your door in the middle. There is a little button in that clamp that makes your window go up/down. check that button.

note: it can have effect on your OEM alarm because if the switch is buggy, your alarm can think suddenly that someone opens the door. (me and my neighbours have experience with that)

A question for you. My problem is similar but different.
My passenger side only is the one with the problem. Doesnt go up and down when closing the door while my drivers side works just fine. In fact the passenger side window doesnt move at all when I use the switch.

So its not the fuse, probably not the button on the door. Since its both of these its probably not the window switch. I am guessing something wrong with the motor or the regulator?

May not be getting SIGNAL to lower window.
If you were to trace wiring, there is a switch in either the lock mechanism,
or a door pin switch that tells window that door is almost closed
- HEY window ---> you need to drop then rise again.
Get wiring diagram and trace switches that control THAT power window.

A question for you. My problem is similar but different.
My passenger side only is the one with the problem. Doesnt go up and down when closing the door while my drivers side works just fine.

This is my issues, im going to check the switch in the door. There is no pin or anything similar on the door jam or door itself. Has to be connected to the door latch (inside). :confused

I checked the fuse, its not blown.

I found another vert in the local wrecking yard, going to pull the door relay out of it and hopefully it will fix the problem I have. :stickoutt

:alright

This is my issues, im going to check the switch in the door. There is no pin or anything similar on the door jam or door itself. Has to be connected to the door latch (inside). :confused

I checked the fuse, its not blown.

I found another vert in the local wrecking yard, going to pull the door relay out of it and hopefully it will fix the problem I have. :stickoutt

:alright

See picture

May not be getting SIGNAL to lower window.
If you were to trace wiring, there is a switch in either the lock mechanism,
or a door pin switch that tells window that door is almost closed
- HEY window ---> you need to drop then rise again.
Get wiring diagram and trace switches that control THAT power window.

well I could see that if it just didnt go up and down when closing the door.
but the switch next to the shifter doesnt seem to work at all. The window cant be lowered at all by any means.

If he wants to test if it's the rocker switch, just swap one of the other rocker switches with it.

Also, you know that you can hold the door open and put the button that's on the door jam with your finger... I only say that because I suppose it would be possible that the switch isn't getting fully depressed. (although in that case, I would think the window would be stuck in the 1/2" down mode).

just some thoughts...

I did check my doors. I dont have a switch in the "B" pillar, its in the actual latching mechanism. I tested my drivers door w/ my finger and simulated the door closing...the window went up and down.

The passenger side doesnt do this (after my test) so it looks like I have to pull door panels to inspect.

Ill try to take pictures and post my results.

I did check my doors. I dont have a switch in the "B" pillar, its in the actual latching mechanism. I tested my drivers door w/ my finger and simulated the door closing...the window went up and down.
The passenger side doesnt do this (after my test) so it looks like I have to pull door panels to inspect.
Ill try to take pictures and post my results.

Yep.. just as I suspendered... or was that remembered ?? :cool

i have a similar problem. (94' 318 is) my driverside window won't work at all with the switch sometimes the window will drop the whole way and the only way to put it back up is to keep opening and closing the door till it goes up the whole way. and when it does this something in the door starts clicking (noise sounds similar to shorted relay) anyone experince similar prob?