Hello,

I'm new to the forum and seeking suggestions on how to identify a problem with my electric windows.

Issue is that the windows move when I lower and raise the hood, but the multi switch on the driver's side does not work. I ordered a replacement switch  from eBay and this also didn't work. I've investigated the wiring in the door hinge but there are no obvious breakages. I've heard that it could be a faulty window motor and have ordered a used replacement from eBay. It arrives tomorrow. If this doesn't solve the problem I'm not sure what to do next. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Many thanks

Welcome Reg, and thanks for joining.

To save you buying components in the hope the fault lies with them, have you tried measuring the voltage ( and earth continuity) at suspected components? 
That would be my plan of action - if it helps. 
Regards,

Gareth. 

Reg.

You have not said whether the window movement is random or erratic. Is it possible the windows actually need to move out of the way when the hood is raised and lowered?

Thanks Gareth,

You're spot on. The replacement window motor didn't solve the problem. However I decided to have a closer look and the wiring loom and found two wires with splits in the plastic coating. I repaired these with insulating tape and it's fixed!

29 minutes ago, regdp said:

Thanks Gareth,

You're spot on. The replacement window motor didn't solve the problem. However I decided to have a closer look and the wiring loom and found two wires with splits in the plastic coating. I repaired these with insulating tape and it's fixed!

So glad you got sorted 🙂 

Thanks!

2 hours ago, regdp said:

found two wires with splits in the plastic coating. I repaired these with insulating tape and it's fixed!

Was that damage within the rubber bellows between door and frame? If not, where was it?

Yes it was, but I could only see the damaged wires once I pulled all the wires back through the door.

It's a common fault in many Audi models.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. As a postscript to solving my window problem I have now got an air bag warning light and intermittent hood warning light. I assume I might have caused this when I was removing and refitting the window motor. Do I need to do some sort of reset? Thanks

Sorry to hear that Reg,

Re. air bag light- get yourself an aerosol of contact cleaner, move the seat back as far as possible and squirt the contact cleaner on all the electrical plugs you can find under there.

Do not ( in biggest caps!) disconnect anything - simply spray and wiggle the plugs. 
Hood warning light? Not sure about that, but could well be to do with something you have disturbed within the door/ flexible harness.

Regards,

Gareth. 
Reset? would have thought the car was to early for that. 

Thanks Gareth,

I had the connector under the driver's see replaced just last year. That's why I thought I might have caused it disconnecting and reconnecting the door motor. Will try the spray as you suggest. Will also ask the local garage to run a fault diagnostic.

Hello, 

A quick follow up to the window switch issue. Having, I thought fixed the problem (plastic coating on two wires was split so covered with insulating tape and windows worked) I went for a drive with the roof down. Windows then only worked intermittently and then not at all. So I took all the wires out again today and cut the damaged wires and did a 'proper' fix with butt connectors (I don't have e a soldering iron). Windows worked again. Just opened the rood again to go on a test drive and the windows don't work when the roof is down. Really confused now. Could it be a good sensor. Grateful for any suggestions.

Thanks,

Reg

Just now, regdp said:

Hello, 

A quick follow up to the window switch issue. Having, I thought fixed the problem (plastic coating on two wires was split so covered with insulating tape and windows worked) I went for a drive with the roof down. Windows then only worked intermittently and then not at all. So I took all the wires out again today and cut the damaged wires and did a 'proper' fix with butt connectors (I don't have e a soldering iron). Windows worked again. Just opened the rood again to go on a test drive and the windows don't work when the roof is down. Really confused now. Could it be a good sensor. Grateful for any suggestions.

Thanks,

Reg

Typo. Should say could it be a good sensor affecting the windows when the hood is down.

1 hour ago, regdp said:

Typo. Should say could it be a good sensor affecting the windows when the hood is down.

A hood sensor perhaps you mean? Yes it could be, but if two of the wires into the door were damaged there is a good chance others are also damaged. In your position I would investigate those again before spending on a new sensor. The damage to the insulation may not be easily visible and may extend further than you expect.

While you have the door card off it would be worth checking the window switch connectors are not damaged, and that any earth wires are well attached. A multi meter would also help to test continuity and the switch contacts if you have one.