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Power windows on E36 Sedans



This discussion went around a couple of months ago.  If I recall
correctly the consensus was you couldn't just replace a switch, as it's
nothing more than an electrical circuit maker.  What controls the
behavior of the windows is a logic 'black box'  How the windows operate
seems to depend on model year.  On my 94 325i all the windows are one
touch down, and the front 2 are one touch up.  It would seem that
perhaps with some kind of aftermarket alarm it would be possible to add
all-windows one touch up functionality.  Many aftermarket alarms have a
feature that can roll up all the windows, and indeed the car already has
this functionality from the outside using the key.  If you keep it
twisted in the lock position it will roll-up the windows for you.  I had
use of a 328i Convertible for a week and it had _One_ switch that opened
or closed all the windows, as well as the lock switch present on 96's.
It would seem BMW has simply added extra switches that tap into the
'logic box'. 

Any other ideas? Any part #'s ;)
Fabian
94 325i BMWCCA Tarheel Chapter


>One thing I can't believe is that they didn't make a 5th switch 
>to close all 4 windows at the same time. But even worse than that
>is the fact that only drivers side window can be closed/opened with
>a short tap on the switch. In order to open/close the other 3 windows
>I have to press each and single one and wait until it sloses/opens.
>It just annoys the hell out of me. 
>
>So, I was thinking that I could maybe buy 3 switches for the driver's
>side and replace the other three with the new ones. They look identical,
>well, at least from the outside.