Hit the button down, it goes up- pull button up, it goes down.
Very annoying, especially when it does this with the all-windows button or trying to use the key to roll them all up.
What are my options here? Did the previous owner manage to put a plug on backwards at the back window regulator? Don't plugs usually fit one way?
Or is this something that VCDS can change the function of?
Whatever will be easiest with least tearing stuff apart, I need a fix for this!
First, of all I would scan the car; with a vw compatible scan tool and see if there are any trouble codes. Please post up any and all trouble codes, we will go from there...
PS: is the orientation of the switches the same on both sides? I'm not sure; you could get them put back in wrong and the electrical plugs are generally "keyed", so they only go in, one way.
Still haven't found anyone to hook me up with a scan without spending too much just for that; and my obdii obviously isn't enough...
That being said, I have a question--- is it possible that this is mechanical and not electrical? i.e. could someone have installed a new regulator upside down and backwards or in the wrong starting position, such that the electrical is not actually wrong and it does this, or is it definitely electrical?
Are there two specific wires I can cut and splice them back together reversed or something?
I just really don't want to take my whole back seat out, take the back side panel off (while fearing I wont get it back in right)... just to look in there and not figure out anything I can do.
Well, I don't think there is a "dip you toe" in the water solution for this; you really need to "jump in" and probably take things apart and try to figure out what is going on!
I haven't done a convertible regulator but I have done the fronts on a number of VWs; including my 2002. From what I have experienced; the electrical plugs are "keyed" and can only go in a particular way, so unless someone has hacked, taped, modified and reconnected the wiring somehow, it doesn't seem like it would be possible. My initial thought; was that someone put the switch (physically) upside down but I don't know, you could try swapping the switches from the side that works ok and see if the problem goes to the know "good" side, then you would know the switch is related to the problem.
Mechanically; the above seems to apply, thing go together a certain way... IDK, if you could install it "backwards" per se and get things wrong!?
You need to start investigating; what is going on and this will require taking the things apart to get to the motor/regulator and wiring, to see if anything has been messed with and how things are, start testing/looking at things. I am to the point now; that NOTHING surprises me any more (rigging things; on these VWs seems to be common, with people who don't know what they are doing!); someone may have screwed things up, attempting to fix the problem or who knows what else!
If you don't have a scanner; I would recommend, you at least buy a basic vw compatible scanner, (check amazon.com for the vgate vs450 for about $50) or go full factory level scanner solution; the VCDS from Ross Tech ($250-$350). If there is a electrical problem; many times, it will throw a trouble code and this code, can help you point you in the right direction of the problem (not always; but many times there is).
Don't give up hope; you just need to start a troubleshooting and process of elimination, I would start buy looking at the switches testing those and take things apart, so you can look at the wiring/window regulator/motor to see if anyone messed with the wiring and goofed things up!
JUMP IN! You can do it; we will support you and help all we can in your repair process!
OK, so that window reset thread made very little sense to me; though I highly doubt it would solve my problem. My guess is that someone cut wires changing the regulator/motor at some point and I am just going to have to rip the back seat out and the side panel off and dig around.
Here is the wiring portion of the rear window switch, its on the left side of E39.
Looks to me like it works by a voltage difference through two resistors, up and down on one switch completing a signal to the controller.
Thanks Krash-- that helps a ton (along with the info in your PM)- i really appreciate it, though it wasn't what I wanted to hear :-(
I would have been relieved to have been able to "fix" this by reversing wires at the switch in the drivers door.
I really don't want to go through taking out the seat and that back b panel- the clips are already broken on the b panel passenger side so it's not seated back in tight and I don't want to end up doing that to the drivers side =-=- especially if I don't even manage to fix the problem while I'm in there.
So if I dig into the panel, unless I see cut/spliced wires or the plug forced on backwards- the only other option seems to be re-spooling the cable other way- which I'm not sure how to do and I'd guess requires me to remove the damn regulator/window from the panel BOO
OTHERWISE- I actually don't want to try the battery thing, as I just now managed to get my power top working and am scared that after I follow your suggestion regarding the battery, I may not be successful at resetting the vert top switch via upping and downing the windows if that one goes the wrong way still.
If E39 is the switch itself, perhaps it is bad? If there is a test procedure in the repair manual for that switch, I'd test it (mine is at home or I'd check).
Jeff, if you get a chance - let me know what it says, I don't have a book yet. Though I still kind of doubt that's it since it always works its just going the wrong direction, even when using the key from outside the car.
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