Fun with windows

[jc918t]

I am having an interesting time working out the buggs in my windows. The window switches in both doors work just fine while the key is in the on position and the engine is off. It is when I start the car that the fun begins. The passanger door switch seems to work all of the time; but the driver door switches do not work correctly while the engine is on. If the windows are down, then the the driver door switches will put them up, but not by the traditional method of pressing up on the window switches... the only function I can get them to do is by pressing down and immediately letting go; this rolls the windows up. After that, there is no functionality from the switches in the driver door. If I press either direction on them they will produce a clicking sound from the window motors, but no significant movement. I should mention that none of the other switches in the driver door work. The only other switch that works in the driver door is the fuel door release. if I trigger that switch, it makes a sound in the back, but the door doesn't pop open. I think that it is just detached at the rear, so I assume that it works correctly. Also I have replaced all of the switches at VW's reccomendation with no improvement at all (unless you count VW's bank account getting larger as improvement). One more thing.. all of the switchs light up, so it seems that they are getting power, and I checked the #5 fuse, it is fine. Any one encounter this problem.

[ta79pr]

you need to get a vag-com cable and the software, it can tell you when the comfort control module sees signals from the switches and check for general faults.

[GL8289]

I have a similar problem in my '99 NB. The windows both work, sort of... They are slow at the top of their travel, which kicks in the safety, and rolls the windows back down. I had another '99 a few years ago that did the same thing, so I assume that is a common issue, any recalls anyone knows of for the prob? I also have bad switches in the doors. All my lights on the switches work too. But, the trunk release just teases me with the sound of unlatching, the passenger door window control is moody, it will work once or twice, and then decide thats good enough for the day. I wish I had some answers for you, but it is a little consolation to know that it's not just my car that does this stuff..

[SilverSportNOLA]

That safty kick on means you have to lube the rubber. That is done by the dealer when they replace the cable system which also has broken on a lot of cars.

[jc918t]

If you decide to lube the windows yourself... be careful of what you use. I have has seemingly innocent lube sessions go wrong. I had some honda seals that did not like white lithium spray.

[from Margaritaville...]

jc918t,

The component that has failed is the "door control module" .
Windows go up (sometimes) when switch is pushed down, remote mirrors won't work, passenger door controls work fine, etc.

It's a small black controller box attached to the driver's window motor (they're sold as one). Remove door handle cover, unscrew both screws, remove three screws from door bottom, carefully pry out door panel from both sides, remove panel from door by pushing the panel upwards out of the door (it may be stubborn but be persistent, unclip and remove the electrical connector from the "door control module, remove motor and module by undoing the Torx screws, change it out. The part at the dealer is about $345, the part from my local German car salvage yard was $45 (it works great, problem solved)...Part number is: 1J2 959 802C 95X (Bosch mfg.)

[jc918t]

You are awesome, I would greatly appreciate it if you could send me a PM with their info and I'll see if they mail order. Unless you know if there are other VW's with the same motor/control unit... like a Golf, or Jetta? I live in Tallahassee, FL and I cannot find any Salvage yards with New Beetles. It is tough to find a salvage yard period up here.

Thanks again, I'll check it out

[ta79pr]

i wouldnt buy a new module without getting a vag-com cable to diagnose the signals. You could have bad comfort control module or an intermittant ground. If you had the dealer "run the codes" they probably only did the ecu, not the rest of the modules.

[fasteddy51]

I know this is an old thread, but just curious what you did to find a fix for this. My 2000 Beetle behaves the same way, and I just replaced the power window motor with a 2001 motor, but it did not fix the issue. I don't know if I have another bad motor or not. Any ideas?

[jc918t]

Originally Posted by fasteddy51

I know this is an old thread, but just curious what you did to find a fix for this. My 2000 Beetle behaves the same way, and I just replaced the power window motor with a 2001 motor, but it did not fix the issue. I don't know if I have another bad motor or not. Any ideas?

What is your problem exactly?
Is it the goes almost all the way up then kicks back down... lube em.

Is it the same problem I had with the switch behaving all weird? I ended up replacing the driver and passenger window switches and the power mirror switch (mine was physically broken). I pulled the other switches and cleaned the contacts, then pulled the plug at the hatch side and cleaned the contacts. All was well after that. Oh yeah, The kid that had the car before me had installed an aftermarket stereo that had failed and I think that was part of the problem. I did this all at the same time so I think it was basically that one of the components in the system was shorting and I solved it by either replacing it or cleaning the contacts. I know that the window switches seem to "talk" to eachother so I would start by checking those switches and the contacts as the doors are not exactly weather proof.

Good Luck... please post your fix when (if) you find one.