Why are my window switches staying on?

[Huw Powell]

> Got home late yesterday, and noticed a problem when I turned off the
> car.  Was driving the 86' 4kcsq, and when I shut off the ignition, and
> took out the key, the lights on the window switches remained on, as well
> as the lights on the sunroof switch.
> It didn't keep power to the switches to actually move the window
> regulators, but if I tried the switches, the lights went out while I had
> the switch depressed, but came right back on when I let go.  Also, if I
> activated the blower fan switch, or the rear defrost switch, the lights
> would go out until the switches were back in the off position.

There are a few possible sources of your problem.

Start with the Load Reduction Relay (or "X" relay, named the current
track it supplies), position 5 in your fusebox.  It is "on" when the
ignition is in the "run" position, and "off" when the key is "off" or in
the "start" position.  This relieves your battery of the load of the
items on the X circuit while cranking, and also lowers the current load
on the ignition switch while running.

These items are on the "X" buss:

radiator thermo switch via fuse 15
fresh air fan switch via fuse 17
defroster (& seat heater controls) via fuse 16
power window system, two connections, both unfused (but there should be
a circuit breaker outside the fuse box in the aux relay panel).

So....

Either

1. your LRR is stuck on
2. one of the components running off it (or the ignition "on" setting),
that also has battery power, is shorting internally
3. your ignition switch is not properly turning "off"

I'd check the relay first.  The other prime culprit (under "2" above) is
the headlight switch or connector.

It sounds like a low current leak, ie a very small short, since turning
those other things on knocks the lights out - and I bet they don;t run
when you turn them on, either.

> 
> I think on some Audis, maybe yours, you are supposed to have power to the
> windows and other stuff until you open the driver door.  Then they turn off.

not on a 4000 (pre '88 80/90)

> You want to try something cool?  Leave your ignition off, turn the headlights on, and
> then pull the "flash to pass" stick back.  This will toggle what my friends and I call
> "phantom power" or something (actually I forget what we called it).  You will have
> power for as long as you hold back the stick.  Pretty cool.

No, running accessories off one terminal of the headlight switch will
not be cool, it will be hot, and seriously hasten the demise of an
already weak link in your cars wiring system.  This is not recommended!

> I don't know what would happen if you relayed your headlights.

It would still work, and still be unadvisable.

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/

http://www.humanthoughts.org/