Drivers Master Switch for windows and mirrors - water ingress?

FOUNTI · Post by **FOUNTI** » Sat May 29, 2021 9:22 am

Hi

I’m a newbie to the forum and recently bought a 2009 E89 3.5i M-Sport Z4.
Absolutely over the moon with it!
However I have a couple of niggling issues that I want to sort.
It seems my master switch on the drivers side for all things, folding mirrors, mirror adjustment and windows gives up after a rain fall and becomes intermittent. Given the chance to dry out and on dryer days it doesn’t cause any problems at all.
There is no sign of water ingress in the car itself and body work is pristine with no signs of where water can get in.
Worth noting when the error occurs the passenger window works fine and the roof and windows work fine when operating the roof.

When it fails, diagnostics point to the footwell module but I’m told that this may pick up errors from further down the line.

Any one had a similar experience that maybe able to shed light on this problem?
I am armed with a multimeter to check when the problem reoccurs again but before I start pulling switches out of sockets thought I’d put it to the board first!

Cheers

Pbondar · Post by **Pbondar** » Sat May 29, 2021 9:49 am

I had the same issue once where heavy condensation on the roof dripped onto the drivers side switch pack as the roof was opening..started working 2 days later as it dried out..

So I doubt its the FRM..more like water ingress somehow in and around the switch..

flybobbie · Post by **flybobbie** » Sat May 29, 2021 7:19 pm

I had problem with some pins on the connector. My windows got stuck down.
I noted the illumination was not on so assumed a bad earth.
Pulling connector behind the door card and cleaning with contact cleaner, refitted, never had a problem since.

SV8Predator · Post by **SV8Predator** » Sat May 29, 2021 9:23 pm

FOUNTI wrote: ↑Sat May 29, 2021 9:22 am my master switch on the drivers side for all things, folding mirrors, mirror adjustment and windows

Where is this "master switch"? Do I have one on my E89?

Nictrix · Post by **Nictrix** » Sun May 30, 2021 9:21 am

SV8Predator wrote: ↑Sat May 29, 2021 9:23 pm
FOUNTI wrote: ↑Sat May 29, 2021 9:22 am my master switch on the drivers side for all things, folding mirrors, mirror adjustment and windows
Where is this "master switch"? Do I have one on my E89?

The switch they will be talking about is the panel of switches on the drivers arm rest on the door with the window/mirror buttons on it.

SV8Predator · Post by **SV8Predator** » Sun May 30, 2021 10:07 am

Nictrix wrote: ↑Sun May 30, 2021 9:21 am The switch they will be talking about is the panel of switches on the drivers arm rest on the door with the window/mirror buttons on it.

Thanks. I don't seem to have a "master switch" that deals with all these functions.

Instead, I've got a panel of switches that has individual switches for mirrors, windows, etc. But no master switch.

Pbondar · Post by **Pbondar** » Sun May 30, 2021 11:00 am

SV8Predator wrote: ↑Sun May 30, 2021 10:07 am
Nictrix wrote: ↑Sun May 30, 2021 9:21 am The switch they will be talking about is the panel of switches on the drivers arm rest on the door with the window/mirror buttons on it.
Thanks. I don't seem to have a "master switch" that deals with all these functions.

Instead, I've got a panel of switches that has individual switches for mirrors, windows, etc. But no master switch.

It’s called the master switch as the E89 variant of this switch pack there is a toggle that opens / shuts all 4 windows in one go..

SV8Predator · Post by **SV8Predator** » Sun May 30, 2021 12:42 pm

Pbondar wrote: ↑Sun May 30, 2021 11:00 am It’s called the master switch as the E89 variant of this switch pack there is a toggle that opens / shuts all 4 windows in one go..

Yes, I've got that switch that moves all four of the windows.

But the OP was referring to a "master switch" for all things, folding mirrors, mirror adjustment and windows. I haven't got that.

Pbondar · Post by **Pbondar** » Sun May 30, 2021 1:57 pm

Yup that unit does all those functions..mine does

SV8Predator · Post by **SV8Predator** » Sun May 30, 2021 4:40 pm

Pbondar wrote: ↑Sun May 30, 2021 1:57 pm Yup that unit does all those functions..mine does

One switch does all these functions? Really?

flybobbie · Post by **flybobbie** » Sun May 30, 2021 6:03 pm

Just being silly now.

FOUNTI · Post by **FOUNTI** » Tue Jun 01, 2021 2:41 pm

Thanks for the info.
I'll take a look at the connectors in the door also.

With this good weather we're having (now!) the problem hasn't completely gone away but (dare I say Master Switch

) is working more often than not. So there must still be a little damp from the torrential downpours we had in May.
When it doesn't work it tends to be for a 5-10min stint per day then works again all day.

I'll just have to wait until it rains again (when it doesn't work for longer periods) before i get the spanners out!

Cheers All.

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