All windows down at once.

[KrisL]

I was watching Autoweek on SpeedTV and they mentioned that the new Hummer had an "all windows up" and "all windows down" button on the dash. Neat idea.

I was then in my car looking at the window lock button that resides between the driver front and driver rear window switches. I never use it.

I haven't looked under that panel to see how plausable it is, but does anyone thing it'd be possible to order another single window switch, place it in the window lock space, and then wire it up so that when depressed or lifted, it would trigger all four windows? It would be a wiring mess... but how cool would that be. :)

Like I said, just an idea. :)

[Kaz]

I will tell you what does NOT work; usint the all up/down switch from a CiC in a sedan. I've tried it. The LH windowswitches work fine, but the center one doesn't do anything.

Since there must be some sort of command or circumstance that makes the GM V perform the all up/down, it would be a matter of figuring out what that is, then figuring out how to make the CiC windowswitch send that in a non-CiC.

Maybe I'll do some research and revisit this. It could be my Mod #2 after the rear fog retro. :D

[TD]

My wife's E36 convertible has this all up/down button and I've wondered about putting one in my M3 but I never bothered to try her switch in my car. Now I'm curious again as to if this will work.

I'll report back.

[blueguydotcom]

My wife's E36 convertible has this all up/down button and I've wondered about putting one in my M3 but I never bothered to try her switch in my car. Now I'm curious again as to if this will work.

I'll report back.

That'd be a great button to have. I like to drop all my windows with my remote when I'm walking to the car but I hate having to hit all four buttons later on.

[johnf]

My wife's E36 convertible has this all up/down button and I've wondered about putting one in my M3 but I never bothered to try her switch in my car. Now I'm curious again as to if this will work.

I'll report back.
Been there, done that.

The simplest way to do this is to add another window switch and then tie its outputs to the others through diodes. Be warned, however, that is a slippery slope that could lead to more serious tinkering. For example, a few of us now have a central "skunk switch" that will open or close the windows or sunroof or both with as much one-touch action as they will support. :eeps:

I can post details and pictures if anyone is interested.

[johnf]

That'd be a great button to have. I like to drop all my windows with my remote when I'm walking to the car but I hate having to hit all four buttons later on.
I thought you had a moped.

You can do this for at least the front windows, even on an E36, but it takes a bit of work. I use a little microcontroller to lower the front windows on my coupe. The rear vent windows are one touch but I haven't found a reasonable scheme to open them from the remote.

[andy_thomas]

Been there, done that.

The simplest way to do this is to add another window switch and then tie its outputs to the others through diodes. Be warned, however, that is a slippery slope that could lead to more serious tinkering. For example, a few of us now have a central "skunk switch" that will open or close the windows or sunroof or both with as much one-touch action as they will support. :eeps:

I can post details and pictures if anyone is interested.
Yes I remember that one :)

Me? I'd like to extend the factory (US: dealer-fit) Bluetooth fuctionality of a 5er to include control of all the various busses around the car, including those connecting DBW, CBC and active steering, enabling me to sit in the back with a PDA and drive the car. Just like that James Bond bloke.

[Fifty_Cent]

Just a useful comment:


Pressing and Holding the unlock/lock button on your key WILL wind all windows up/down.

[johnf]

Just a useful comment:

Pressing and Holding the unlock/lock button on your key WILL wind all windows up/down.
I believe that is only true for an E46. Is that what blueguydotcom calls a moped? :)

[Salvator]

I believe that is only true for an E46. Is that what blueguydotcom calls a moped? :)
In the US, holding your remote button down will roll down all windows on E46 and E39 (my wife's 2003 525iT has that capability as well)... Unfortunatley, neither E46 or E39 are capable of rolling all windows up via remote, in the US... :cry:

[johnf]

In the US, holding your remote button down will roll down all windows on E46 and E39 (my wife's 2003 525iT has that capability as well)... Unfortunatley, neither E46 or E39 are capable of rolling all windows up via remote, in the US... :cry:
Any interest in fixing that? A fellow once asked if I could get his (German) E46 cabrio to open the roof from the remote but sold the car before we could start wiring. Yours could be a similar problem. I wonder if I still have the electrical drawings for that project somewhere.

I had to reread blueguydotcom's message a couple more times before I understood he probably had one of the above cars. I probably would not have been so confused if his profile provided at least the year his moped was produced. (I assume blueguydotcom is a he. If not, substitute "she" and "her" in the earlier sentences.)

Anyway, the same tricks we used to add a "skunk switch" to an E36 may very well work for later cars.

[Kaz]

...and you can't use the key-activated all-down when the key is in the ignition (all the buttons are disabled).

I did a very preliminary check of the wiring, and it may not be possible to do a factory-style retro with the CiC windowswitch, as it appears that convertibles have their own GM V, so other bodystyles may not have the all up/down input at all.

In addition to this function (which I'll continue to look at) I'd also like to find a way to get key-activated all-up working on a US-spec car as well.

[johnf]

I did a very preliminary check of the wiring, and it may not be possible to do a factory-style retro with the CiC windowswitch, as it appears that convertibles have their own GM V, so other bodystyles may not have the all up/down input at all.
Does the E46 still use two-line, successive closure, active low window switches to provide incremental or one-touch open and close? If it does, you wouldn't need the convertible GM inputs although that would be easier to wire.

In addition to this function (which I'll continue to look at) I'd also like to find a way to get key-activated all-up working on a US-spec car as well.
By "key-activated" do you mean that you roll up the windows by holding a button or roll up the windows by holding the key in the lock? Does the latter work on a U.S. E46?

[KrisL]

By "key-activated" do you mean that you roll up the windows by holding a button or roll up the windows by holding the key in the lock? Does the latter work on a U.S. E46?


The latter does work in the US. I'm guessing he means remote key roll up.

[Kaz]

Does the E46 still use successive closure, two-line, active low window switches to provide incremental or one-touch open and close? If it does, you wouldn't need the convertible GM inputs although that would be easier to wire.

There's a description in the Bentley on how this is done. I do believe it's pulled low, but what I don't know offhand is how the latching for the auto function works.


By "key-activated" do you mean that you roll up the windows by holding a button or roll up the windows by holding the key in the lock? Does the latter work on a U.S. E46?

The latter already exists. I'd like to get the former, which supposedly exists in Europe, though I don't know how that works in conjunction with the FZV and DWA. I guess it will lock/arm first, then close if the windows are open, but the interior sensor would already be active and adapted to the open windows by then??

[johnf]

The latter does work in the US. I'm guessing he means remote key roll up.
Good-o. That might make the job easier than opening up a cabrio.

[johnf]

There's a description in the Bentley on how this is done. I do believe it's pulled low, but what I don't know offhand is how the latching for the auto function works.
It would not surprise me if BMW used the same protocol they followed on the E36. Could you email me a print of the window switch circuits? I don't have the Bentley. My email address is my username here @freenet.de

The latter already exists. I'd like to get the former, which supposedly exists in Europe, though I don't know how that works in conjunction with the FZV and DWA. I guess it will lock/arm first, then close if the windows are open, but the interior sensor would already be active and adapted to the open windows by then??
What happens if you first arm the alarm with the remote then close the windows by holding the key in the lock? Does that trip the alarm?

[Kaz]

It would not surprise me if BMW used the same protocol they followed on the E36. Could you email me a print of the window switch circuits? I don't have the Bentley. My email address is my username here @freenet.de


What happens if you first arm the alarm with the remote then close the windows by holding the key in the lock? Does that trip the alarm?

I'll see what I can do about the diagrams (hard to flatten out the Bentley to scan). I was looking in the Bentley last night, and it doesn't show much. Basically a box showing the windowswitches and lines with pin #s going to another box representing the GM V.

And I've never tried the thing with the key. I'll have to see what happens, since the DWA does indeed get activated before the windows go up

[johnf]

I'll see what I can do about the diagrams (hard to flatten out the Bentley to scan). I was looking in the Bentley last night, and it doesn't show much. Basically a box showing the windowswitches and lines with pin #s going to another box representing the GM V.
There is probably no need to abuse your Bentley manual. I found a description of the E46 window system that indicates the window switches work like those in the E36. Another window switch (or a central window switch) plus a pair of diodes for each window you want to control (4 or 8 total) should let you open and close the windows with one switch.

And I've never tried the thing with the key. I'll have to see what happens, since the DWA does indeed get activated before the windows go up
I found my prints from the cabrio roof project and what I see so far is encouraging (or at least not too discouraging).

If I understand you guys correctly, the E46 remote has a combined lock/unlock button. If so, does that mean you can only roll down the windows by first locking the car and then unlocking it and holding the button? (You have to unlock the car and immediately roll down the windows.)

[Kaz]

There is probably no need to abuse your Bentley manual. I found a description of the E46 window system that indicates the window switches work like those in the E36. Another window switch (or a central window switch) plus a pair of diodes for each window you want to control (4 or 8 total) should let you open and close the windows with one switch.


I found my prints from the cabrio roof project and what I see so far is encouraging (or at least not too discouraging).

If I understand you guys correctly, the E46 remote has a combined lock/unlock button. If so, does that mean you can only roll down the windows by first locking the car and then unlocking it and holding the button? (You have to unlock the car and immediately roll down the windows.)

I tested the wave-my-hand-in-while-the-windows-are-closing, and the alarm doesn't go off. Then I realized there is a delay until the interior sensor is active. Probably long enough for the windows to come up.

It would rock if the CiC's switch can be wired to make this work on the other bodystyles, just by adding a contact or two to the harness and adding in the appropriate circuits. Some people might want a separate switch, but I never use the lockout.

I don't know how the roll-up works, but down works by holding down the unlock after it's been unlocked (or twice if you have driver-only-then-all-others). Since the lock cylinder way works the same (unlock, then hold) I assume up fron the key is lock, then hold to roll up.

[operknockity]

I don't know how the roll-up works, but down works by holding down the unlock after it's been unlocked (or twice if you have driver-only-then-all-others). Since the lock cylinder way works the same (unlock, then hold) I assume up fron the key is lock, then hold to roll up. Yup. Lock the doors with the key, then turn the key as if you are gonna lock again, but hold it there for a bit and the windows and moonroof will start closing.

Still, I'd like a single all-windows auto open/close switch inside the cabin so I don't have to do the switch dance around the shift lever. One more reason I prefer the window switch cluster to be on the driver's side armrest rather than spaced around the shift console... In the absence of a single auto up/down button, with just 4 fingers hitting all 4 buttons all at once, all the windows can be rolled up or down. The moonroof can be left independent in this case.

[kurichan]

I was watching Autoweek on SpeedTV and they mentioned that the new Hummer had an "all windows up" and "all windows down" button on the dash. Neat idea.

I was then in my car looking at the window lock button that resides between the driver front and driver rear window switches. I never use it.

I haven't looked under that panel to see how plausable it is, but does anyone thing it'd be possible to order another single window switch, place it in the window lock space, and then wire it up so that when depressed or lifted, it would trigger all four windows? It would be a wiring mess... but how cool would that be. :)

Like I said, just an idea. :)Why is everybody coming up with these complicated solutions? This is an easy one! You can close all the windows on BMWs by putting the key in the door handle and turning it all the way to the right until the windows are raised. Voila!

(don't mind that slight pinching sensation as the window crushes your arm that you have reached outside to perform this operation) :D

But seriously, if you can close all the windows at once by turning the key in the door handle, the car has built in logic to do it. The question then becomes tapping into that logic. I wouldn't know where to start...

[operknockity]

Why is everybody coming up with these complicated solutions? This is an easy one! You can close all the windows on BMWs by putting the key in the door handle and turning it all the way to the right until the windows are raised. Voila!

(don't mind that slight pinching sensation as the window crushes your arm that you have reached outside to perform this operation) :D

But seriously, if you can close all the windows at once by turning the key in the door handle, the car has built in logic to do it. The question then becomes tapping into that logic. I wouldn't know where to start...
The complicated solutions are because BMW is not equiping some of the cars with a very useful feature and is not making it easy to add it!

[kurichan]

The complicated solutions are because BMW is not equiping some of the cars with a very useful feature and is not making it easy to add it! :rofl: Please read my post again operknockcity... It was meant only in jest!

[operknockity]

:rofl: Please read my post again operknockcity... It was meant only in jest!
It was :dunno: :dunno: :dunno: :bigpimp:

[johnf]

The complicated solutions are because BMW is not equiping some of the cars with a very useful feature and is not making it easy to add it!
That could be, but more likely everything is there and BMW NA just instructed Munich to disable the remote rollup function when the GM has a U.S.-market central coding key.

[johnf]

But seriously, if you can close all the windows at once by turning the key in the door handle, the car has built in logic to do it. The question then becomes tapping into that logic. I wouldn't know where to start...
I have some ideas but I also have a few other projects I first need to take care of. :(

[johnf]

Still, I'd like a single all-windows auto open/close switch inside the cabin so I don't have to do the switch dance around the shift lever. One more reason I prefer the window switch cluster to be on the driver's side armrest rather than spaced around the shift console...
Could you reassign the left rear window switch to roll up and roll down all the windows? Another connector, 8 diodes, and some splices should then do you, assuming you can't use the GM/ZKE central window switch inputs intended for the cabrio. (I suggest the extra connector so that you can go back to the old arrangement should someone want that.) Anyway, just a thought.

[operknockity]

That could be, but more likely everything is there and BMW NA just instructed Munich to disable the remote rollup function when the GM has a U.S.-market central coding key.
Yup. Something to do with product liability laws. They don't wanna be sued when someone is injured by being caught in a rolled up window.

[operknockity]

Could you reassign the left rear window switch to roll up and roll down all the windows? Another connector, 8 diodes, and some splices should then do you, assuming you can't use the GM/ZKE central window switch inputs intended for the cabrio. (I suggest the extra connector so that you can go back to the old arrangement should someone want that.) Anyway, just a thought.
That might work, but really, it isn't that important to me to make this kind of mod. Just which it came from the factory with another button.

[johnf]

That might work, but really, it isn't that important to me to make this kind of mod. Just which it came from the factory with another button.
Perhaps others are more adventurous. I am sure I am not the only one who when faced with something like this just goes ahead and adds it!

BTW, if you don't mind buying a lot of BMW contacts and shells, you can probably construct a harness that would then make the mod plug and play.

[johnf]

Yup. Something to do with product liability laws. They don't wanna be sued when someone is injured by being caught in a rolled up window.
The latter is probably the reason, and BMW NA is just minimizing the possibilities of getting sued.

I kind of doubt there is a specific law against rolling up the windows from the remote as you can do that from the driver's door lock. The poorer stance and vantage point when you close the car that way arguably makes it more hazardous then stepping back a little bit and using the remote - if you are being responsible. If you give someone that kind of flexibility to improve the situation, however, you also give them the flexibility to worsen it. I could imagine someone might get the "bright" idea to save time of closing the car with the remote and walking away from it.

[kurichan]

Since it's sort of on subject, our 528iT had no pinch windows. If they hit an obstruciton on the way up, they'd stop. The 3er doesn't have this feature, does it?

[johnf]

Since it's sort of on subject, our 528iT had no pinch windows. If they hit an obstruciton on the way up, they'd stop. The 3er doesn't have this feature, does it?

The E46 has pinch strips which should provide pretty good protection. Still you never know. Some days ago, a little German boy was playing in his grandad's parked C-class and was strangled by the sunroof. Although, he was revived at the scene, he latter died from his injuries. The sunroof should have been off but apparently wasn't. :(

I suspect the Mercedes sunroof had no pinch protection which makes me wonder about the people who have been adding one-touch close to E36 sunroofs. :eek:

[kurichan]

The E46 has pinch strips which should provide pretty good protection. Still you never know. Some days ago, a little German boy was playing in his grandad's parked C-class and was strangled by the sunroof. Although, he was revived at the scene, he latter died from his injuries. The sunroof should have been off but apparently wasn't. :(I hate reading these stories. Despite being a very responsible parent I know it's impossible to be on guard 100% of the time, so some of these hyperprotective features, even when inconvenient, make sense when you think about it. I guess you shouldn't be able to put your head out the sunroof and operate the switch at the same time? But then where does it end?

[kurichan]

The E46 has pinch strips which should provide pretty good protection.Are pinch strips buffers, or is that a mechanical system that stops the window from going up further?

[Kaz]

The E46's pinch strips are contact strips like the kind used do turn on the 'Stop Requested' light on public buses (people DO know how a bus works, right?). They work, but because they're a very narrow strip, it's possible to have an appendage through a window and it not touch the strip.

[johnf]

I hate reading these stories. Despite being a very responsible parent I know it's impossible to be on guard 100% of the time, so some of these hyperprotective features, even when inconvenient, make sense when you think about it. I guess you shouldn't be able to put your head out the sunroof and operate the switch at the same time? But then where does it end?
The crazy thing was the key was not in the ignition so you would have expected the sunroof to have been off. What may have happened (and Mercedes is investigating this) is that whoever was driving the car, shut it down and then left the doors open. European BMWs and (I believe) Mercedes keep the sunroof and window controls active for some minutes after you open a door (unlike the U.S.) but immediately kill them once you have closed all the doors. Perhaps if they had done that the accident might not have happened.

[KrisL]

I'm reviving this thread as I've decided this is going to be my next project. First step: can anyone find the 3 switch panel part #? I can only find the 2 switch+lock button panel on realoem.com (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BR93&mospid=47708&btnr=61_1061&hg=61&fg=35&hl=32)...

[johnf]

Have you tried a parts search for an E36 cabrio?

[KrisL]

Have you tried a parts search for an E36 cabrio?


No, I was looking for an E46 cabrio, so I could simply use the same switch "cluster" and crack it open...

[johnf]

My mistake. I must have just finished responding on an E36 forum and forgot to change generations. An E36 frame probably wouldn't work without some effort as it is plastic, and probably more brittle plastic by now.

I couldn't find an E46 equivalent on realoem either.

[Mark_325i]

I installed iWindows. Plugs into the CD changer inputs. http://www.tvonnav.com/iwindows.html

[no8080]

The crazy thing was the key was not in the ignition so you would have expected the sunroof to have been off. What may have happened (and Mercedes is investigating this) is that whoever was driving the car, shut it down and then left the doors open. European BMWs and (I believe) Mercedes keep the sunroof and window controls active for some minutes after you open a door (unlike the U.S.) but immediately kill them once you have closed all the doors. Perhaps if they had done that the accident might not have happened.

Euro BMW's keep the windows, sunroof and soft top powered on until you lock the car. At least it's this way in the UK, I have tried after 5 mins and mine still work. They might stop after 15 mins when the electrics shut down, haven't tried this yet.

Euro models have the ability to open and close everything by holding down either the unlock or lock key on your remote, as well as holding the key in the lock position in the door.

It is a software feature that was removed or disabled for US models, or so I was told. It can be added in or enabled by the dealer though. You just need to find one who will do it.

I had the software added to my E39 to bong when I forget to fastern my seat belt.

[KrisL]

I installed iWindows. Plugs into the CD changer inputs. http://www.tvonnav.com/iwindows.html


Yes, I already have iWindows in my car. That's not what I'm looking for.

[allaboutme]

You might want to try www.e46fanatics.com