Electric window voltages

Talk about the 406's electrical system, what wires do what, how to add extra functionality, etc.

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PieCaptian
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Electric window voltages

Post by PieCaptian »

Hello All!

I've owned a V reg (1999) 406 estate (1.6l) for about 2 years now and have finally gotten round to sorting out some of the little niggles that came with the car.

Today I tried to take a look at the passenger side electric window that won't open using either switch.

I managed to get the door card off and when testing with my multimeter, I have a strange result.

When trying to drop the window with the passenger switch, the multimeter registers about 0.02 volts, but when raising the window gives 11.85v

From the drivers switch dropping the window shows no voltage, but raising shows a tiny increase.

The motor does make a noise when trying to raise it from the passenger switch.

Is this more likely to be a switch issue rather than a motor issue?

Please help!

Thanks in advance
Paul
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Doggy
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Re: Electric window voltages

Post by Doggy »

Hi Paul & welcome aboard. 8)

By the sounds of it, the motor is attempting to raise when you work the passenger side up button, but not trying to go down.
The motor is connected directly to the local switch, therefore assuming nothing's disconnected the switch is at fault. I'd concentrate on solving that one first, the other door switch might take care of itself.
I'm not familiar with the exact switch you have, but have managed to get newer versions to work by repeatedly operating them more forcefully than normal, or on one occasion I removed the 4-window switch on the drivers side, carefully took it apart, cleaned the contacts and refitted it successfully.

Keep us posted on how you get on.
2002 HDi 2.2 Exec Estate, (2008-12) (wonderful)
2003 HDi 2.2 6-speed Exec Estate (2012-19) (also a gem)
2009 Citroen C5 2.0 HDi VTR+ Estate (godawful heap)
2008 BMW E91 330i touring (great fun - murdered by a reversing SUV)
2007 BMW E91 325i touring (slower smoother quieter)
PieCaptian
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Re: Electric window voltages

Post by PieCaptian »

Thank you for replying!

I'll grab a switch off of eBay and see what happens, they're not too expensive

I uploaded a video in case that helps explain the problem better

WLQ34rtl6RQ
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Doggy
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Re: Electric window voltages

Post by Doggy »

Video confirms your previous post, which was pretty clear anyway.
I hope the switch change works.
One other thing you might try in the meantime is unplugging and re-plugging any accessible connectors, (switch, motor etc.) you may just have an oxidised connection somewhere.

Let us know.....
2002 HDi 2.2 Exec Estate, (2008-12) (wonderful)
2003 HDi 2.2 6-speed Exec Estate (2012-19) (also a gem)
2009 Citroen C5 2.0 HDi VTR+ Estate (godawful heap)
2008 BMW E91 330i touring (great fun - murdered by a reversing SUV)
2007 BMW E91 325i touring (slower smoother quieter)
PieCaptian
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Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2020 2:56 pm

Re: Electric window voltages

Post by PieCaptian »

So, I just replaced the passenger side switch and the same thing happens.

is there an easy(ish) way to test the motor or Drivers side switch?
GingerMagic
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Re: Electric window voltages

Post by GingerMagic »

All the window switches run through the drivers switch - if the drivers window switch is disconnected then non of the windows will open even using the individual switches...

Try using the passenger window switch while the divers door is open, or partly open, as if there is damage to the loom inside the sheath by the hinges, this would affect your other windows. Maybe squeeze the sheath while someone else uses the switch - to see if it sparks into life.
2003 2.2hdi estate - mine
1998 Volvo 940 auto estate - also mine
2019 Citroen C3 something - the wife's
PP2000 user, can help with faults / diagnostics in the Bournemouth area.
PieCaptian
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Re: Electric window voltages

Post by PieCaptian »

Sorry for the delay replying!

I got a new (used) regulator/motor, plugged that in and that goes up, but not down.

I've only just seem gingermagic's reply about the wiring so will check that next!
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