Electric windows don't work - window breaker keeps tripping

[aliensatemystag]

Came home today after a lovely top down drive (see pic) and couldn't put the windows up...heard a periodic (every 10 seconds or so) clicking from under the passenger side dash, removed the "parcel shelf" and realized the electric window breaker keeps tripping. Disassembled both door panels, also the console, could not find an obvious short.

I assume it must be a short? One thing I did today was took the instrument panel out to lube the speedo cable (speedo was bouncey). Had the windows down all day, and now I am wondering if there is anything under the instrument panel I may have messed with inadvertently.

If anyone has any advice, i.e. whether it is indeed a short and if so, where to look, it would be greatly appreciated. I saw no obvious evidence of fraying in the wiring from the cowl to each door, though I guess it would not be obvious?!

[V Mad]

Does it happen on either window? That would suggest a faulty breaker. If on just one window, possibly a jammed mechanism or motor.

[Staggard]

If you have the door panels off,disconnect the motors see if it trips out,if not reconnect one at a time and see which one is the problem and go from there. Bit quick there I guess you know by which switch is operating the breaker. so disconnect the motor on that side and try it . Or have I missed the point again

[aliensatemystag]

Thanks for the replies. I had both door panels off, could not see very well where the wires go to the motors. Hadn't had a chance to look at it again since my fist post. Neither window works, but I think that is because the short, wherever it is (assuming that's what it is) is tripping the breaker "early" in the circuit. I suspect the breaker is doing exactly what it should, i.e. trip and protect the wiring.

I was thinking before taking off the door panels again, maybe I can disconnect one window switch at a time and see if that stops the breaker from tripping. Might indicate which door it is.

I am also thinking maybe when messing behind the instrument panel, I did disrupt the hot wire that feeds the driver's side window. I had dropped the steering column as well. I assume the wire from the console has to travel somewhere behind / under the dash to get to the door well? Does anyone know where the wires to the windows run? Under / behind the dash or along the floorboards somehow. I tend not to believe in coincidences, and I was mucking around behind the panel the day this started.

One last thought; the breaker trips even when the windows are not being activated via the switches. If there was a short along the way to the door motors (or with the motors themselves), why would the breaker be tripping constantly and not just when I tried operating the switch(es)?

Any further advice would be greatly appreciated!

[aliensatemystag]

I am happy to report that I figured out the problem; it was a faulty passenger side window switch. Tried taking it apart, and now there is no short, but it also does not operate the window. Guess I will need to buy a new one. I did switch out the driver's side switch, and it works fine, so I am quite sure it was the pass. switch. So it was coincidental with my having the instrument panel off.

[pagan]

You could disconnect the (green/slate) wire from the circuit breaker and check the wire for continuity to earth, to see if the wires are ok, or pinched somewhere, or it's just the circuit breaker, or one of the switches.
window lift.jpg

[malc4d]

Is that diagram for a Mk1 or 2, is there any difference ?
The car is a '73 Mk1.5 which l believe like mine, has a bit of Mk1 and Mk2 wiring.

[mallardstag]

Start by prising the window switches out of the centre console and disconnect all the green/grey wires from both switches (connects to two tabs on each switch). If the problem goes away then one of the switches is faulty (welded contacts/broken or shorted internally) and reconnecting the switches one at a time will reveal which one is faulty.

If the problem does not go away with the switches disconnected then there must be a short circuit from the green/grey wire to earth which is causing current to flow through the window circuit breaker whenever the ignition is on. Try disconnecting the green/grey wire at the circuit breaker end and see if the problem then goes away.

Simon

Edit: Sorry this should be addressed to "aliensatemystag" not Malc.

[pagan]

Is that diagram for a Mk1 or 2, is there any difference ?
The car is a '73 Mk1.5 which l believe like mine, has a bit of Mk1 and Mk2 wiring.

MK2 I believe
ohh just noticed, USA stag, so LH drive, probably MK1...


ps
aliensatemystag, nice looking car, by the pic.

[mallardstag]

Is that diagram for a Mk1 or 2, is there any difference ?
The car is a '73 Mk1.5 which l believe like mine, has a bit of Mk1 and Mk2 wiring.

Here's the MK1 circuit there isn't any difference from MK2 that I can see.
Untitled.gif

[V Mad]

I had assumed your breaker is only tripping or clicking when you press the window switch? Does it happen on both switches?

[mallardstag]

i had assumed your breaker is only tripping or clicking when you press the window switch? Does it happen on both switches?

From a few posts up:

the breaker trips even when the windows are not being activated via the switches.

[V Mad]

Sorry didnt see that. OK must be a short in the wiring. Disconnect it for safety until you have sorted it.

[aliensatemystag]

Did no one notice (post 5) that I solved the problem, haw haw?!

Many thanks for all the advice, but I just need to purchase a new window switch. When I move the driver's side switch over to the passenger wiring, it works fine. I tried fixing the bad one but seems the metal tabs inside are bent up a bit and I can't quite figure out how to bend them to their proper shape.

My car is a 73, Mark 3, LHD, by the way, and minor problems aside, I have to say I am loving the car. My wife is even impressed. It is a real pleasure to drive, even on the highway, with the overdrive.

Couple more pics (I am quite proud of her).

[V Mad]

yes Neil it is on the relay panel behind parcel shelf. it is a black rectangular thing about 2cm square with two wires connected via push on terminals.

It is self resetting in about 2 seconds but you cannot rest it without disconnecting a short circuit. You can hear it tick if there is a constant short.

Check that the push on terminals are secure.