C3 2003 MK1 - Front electric windows - Voodoo

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SaiBabaPreimFaya
Posts: 3
Joined: 30 Jan 2025, 09:23

C3 2003 MK1 - Front electric windows - Voodoo

Unread post by SaiBabaPreimFaya »

Hello all,

I'm a proud C3 MK1 owner - it's in the stock green color, so it's named Green Lightning.

Anyway, I've been facing very weird behaviour when it comes to the front electric windows.
They work intermittently, they usually don't work at all, yet when they do, they both work/function normally.

Switches are located in the front center, left and right next to the gear shifter.

The problem is for sure with some connectors or maybe grounding.
The fun part is, that both windows usually start working if I drive over a large puddle after it rains.

I've tried the usual fixes, like smacking the dashboard, talking sweetly to it to try and manipulate it, even ignoring it - none of that helped.
But now it's time to fix this issue properly.

Before I take it to the doctor, I was wondering if anyone with experience in this forum could point me in the right direction - what and where to look, to diagnose and fix this.

- Where are the ground points that the windows are connected to.
- Where do the cables lead to.

If anyone responds, thank you in advance!
wheeler
Posts: 7283
Joined: 21 Sep 2002, 19:07
x 849

Re: C3 2003 MK1 - Front electric windows - Voodoo

Unread post by wheeler »

When the fault occurs does it always affect both windows the same or can both windows behave differently at the same time?
Early C3's were very common for switch failures but if both windows stop & start working at the same time its likely something else.
SaiBabaPreimFaya
Posts: 3
Joined: 30 Jan 2025, 09:23

Re: C3 2003 MK1 - Front electric windows - Voodoo

Unread post by SaiBabaPreimFaya »

wheeler wrote: 30 Jan 2025, 10:01 When the fault occurs does it always affect both windows the same or can both windows behave differently at the same time?
Early C3's were very common for switch failures but if both windows stop & start working at the same time its likely something else.
Wheeler hi!

They both behave the same - start&stop working at the same time.
Also a light is visible on both switches when it works, and no light when it doesn't.

That is why I was thinking, it should be related to the connectors or grounding that comes before the switches.
wheeler
Posts: 7283
Joined: 21 Sep 2002, 19:07
x 849

Re: C3 2003 MK1 - Front electric windows - Voodoo

Unread post by wheeler »

OK so the switches have a shared earth & a shared power supply, that's where id be looking. Both the earth & power supply also each have a splice where the wire splits to go to each switch.
Earths highlighted green
Power highlighted pink
Attachments
MC35.jpg
EM35.jpg
C3 windows.jpg
C3 splices.jpg
SaiBabaPreimFaya
Posts: 3
Joined: 30 Jan 2025, 09:23

Re: C3 2003 MK1 - Front electric windows - Voodoo

Unread post by SaiBabaPreimFaya »

wheeler wrote: 30 Jan 2025, 12:14 OK so the switches have a shared earth & a shared power supply, that's where id be looking. Both the earth & power supply also each have a splice where the wire splits to go to each switch.
Earths highlighted green
Power highlighted pink
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Wow this is great, thank you for taking the time!

I will check this cable / ground! :-D