Breaker switch on dash ?

[ChristoCal]

As I'm sitting behind the wheel, if I lean to the right I see what appears to be a breaker switch type button to the right of the steering wheel ... what the heck is that ?

[stuartinmn]

The one down by your knee? It's for the power windows.

[Brad D.]

The one down by your knee? It's for the power windows.

Yup. Power window circuit breaker.

[duggi]

you know... just out of curiosity, does anyone know why BMW put that there?

[Shawn D.]

you know... just out of curiosity, does anyone know why BMW put that there?

So it was in an accessible place and could be reset easily. It's not BMW's fault folks don't read the owner's manual or don't have it any more.

[C.R. Krieger]

you know... just out of curiosity, does anyone know why BMW put that there?

So it was in an accessible place and could be reset easily. It's not BMW's fault folks don't read the owner's manual or don't have it any more.

Actually, I think the point of the question is, 'Why would BMW make power windows with such crappy motors that they'd need to have the circuit breaker easily accessible?'

[duggi]

you know... just out of curiosity, does anyone know why BMW put that there?

So it was in an accessible place and could be reset easily. It's not BMW's fault folks don't read the owner's manual or don't have it any more.

Actually, I think the point of the question is, 'Why would BMW make power windows with such crappy motors that they'd need to have the circuit breaker easily accessible?'

actually, that answered my question =) In a year of ownership, my windows haven't failed me and the breaker has never needed to be used. I had no idea the quality of the window motors was actually that bad...

[pdx 528e]

you know... just out of curiosity, does anyone know why BMW put that there?

So it was in an accessible place and could be reset easily. It's not BMW's fault folks don't read the owner's manual or don't have it any more.

Actually, I think the point of the question is, 'Why would BMW make power windows with such crappy motors that they'd need to have the circuit breaker easily accessible?'

Maybe they had less room to fit mechanically efficient window regulators after they had to meet federal door crash bar standards? I am just making things up, but for people that actually thought enough to provide basic tools in the trunk lid.. I would imagine there was a reason.

actually, that answered my question =) In a year of ownership, my windows haven't failed me and the breaker has never needed to be used. I had no idea the quality of the window motors was actually that bad...

I've never had an issue with the motors. Every time a window failed to operate, it was due to arcing and the resulting pitting in the switch's internal contacts. Even with crusty dry window guides, they perform pretty well. The moment I try to roll up more than 2 at once is when the lights dim and the travel speed is reduced.

[Mike W.]

you know... just out of curiosity, does anyone know why BMW put that there?

So it was in an accessible place and could be reset easily. It's not BMW's fault folks don't read the owner's manual or don't have it any more.

Actually, I think the point of the question is, 'Why would BMW make power windows with such crappy motors that they'd need to have the circuit breaker easily accessible?'

I think the theory was it was a safety, that if the window was crushing a limb it would trip the breaker, not break the arm. Of course that also means you could no longer roll it down, but... Then again, maybe they expected people to read the owners manual. Yeah, right, in this country!!!

[Patrick McHugh]

Has anybody actually seen this breaker pop on it's own?

[Shawn D.]

you know... just out of curiosity, does anyone know why BMW put that there?

So it was in an accessible place and could be reset easily. It's not BMW's fault folks don't read the owner's manual or don't have it any more.

Actually, I think the point of the question is, 'Why would BMW make power windows with such crappy motors that they'd need to have the circuit breaker easily accessible?'

Do you know what happens when an electric motor stalls due to its motion being stopped or by an extra-high force being applied?

[passwor3]

If you don't have leak-proof insulation on the wires, the smoke begins to escape. When all the smoke leaks out, the motor no longer has anything to cause it to rotate.

[VW+bimmer=bliss]

stopping an electric motor while being supplied its operating voltage gets them really hot really fast, i had that happen in the dubber, the sunroof motor caught on fire in the roof

[bionicjoggingsuit]

Does anyone have a source for a new circuit breaker? Bav Auto is $145 and that is crazy!!

[John in VA]

Does anyone have a source for a new circuit breaker? Bav Auto is $145 and that is crazy!!

Start a thread in the For Sale/Wanted - Parts section.

[mercury26]

Possibly an early attempt for "pinch protection" that I know newer Audi's and VW's support. Just a hypothesis....

Cheers,

Chuck

[wkohler]

I've got 40 of those. PM me.

Actually, the switch is not for the windows at all, but rather it blows the headgasket on whatever Duke is driving - bicycle or no.

[CSBolger]

Actually, the switch is not for the windows at all, but rather it blows the headgasket on whatever Duke is driving - bicycle or no.

I was waiting for that.

[shagrath]

Has anybody actually seen this breaker pop on it's own?

Yeah when I had a shorted wire by the driver speaker in my 83 eta.


I think it's there for troubleshooting

[C.R. Krieger]

I've got 40 of those.

This is the funny part! Yeah; I have a spare or two as well. Never heard of one failing before.

[eliotkb]

Has anybody actually seen this breaker pop on it's own?

mine did once...

[shagrath]

Has anybody actually seen this breaker pop on it's own?

mine did once...

Tell us the story... since they rarely fail!

I'll start: while troublshooting to find a short it melted. Oops!

[Sniper X]

I thought I read in the manual it was so you could also make the windows not open or something, more like a electric window lock. I know there is one on the console that allows or disallows the operation of the rear windows from the switches in the back seat doors.....

[shagrath]

I thought I read in the manual it was so you could also make the windows not open or something, more like a electric window lock. I know there is one on the console that allows or disallows the operation of the rear windows from the switches in the back seat doors.....

I think that's the 5th square switch down with the other window switches. I have never seen one work though.

[bobaab]

I thought I read in the manual it was so you could also make the windows not open or something, more like a electric window lock. I know there is one on the console that allows or disallows the operation of the rear windows from the switches in the back seat doors.....

I think that's the 5th square switch down with the other window switches. I have never seen one work though.

Mine works...

[1st 5er]

Mine, rear window breaker on shift console, works as well.

The main breaker switch:
Once had a guy knock $$$ off selling price because none of the windows worked.
When I got the car out of his driveway, on the way home, I popped the switch in just for grins, and of course all the windows worked swellaroo.