Electric Windows Working Intermittently

[losgigs]

The electric windows in our Skoda Fabia (7 years old) have been working intermittently which is very puzzling. We thought we'd sussed it after trying varying combinations of open and closing doors, as sometimes they work if only the driver's door is opened, but not always! Can't be the fuse or motor as they still work on occasions. Any ideas before we try the garage?

[gingejbee]

From past experience, I'd try the following...there is a wiring bundle that goes from each front door into the door frame (encased in a rubber boot, I think). Pull it back from THE DOORFRAME and you will see a connector. You should make sure that this is a tight fit into the other part of the connector - and give it a good spray of WD40. Do this on both front doors. This may solve the problem - if not, it may be that some of the actual wiring has become damaged where it is being repeatedly "bent" with the opening/closing of the doors. That's a bit more difficult, as you can imagine!

[losgigs]

Thanks for the advice, gingejbee. Will give it a go.

[Hopkirk]

Yes, almost certainly broken wires in the loom between car and door - an absolute pig to put right.

[TWR]

First of all, try the switch itself, they do swap over.

[CrapAtCryptics]

Before you do anything else try a system reboot - google your exact car model to find out how to do it as this often solves niggling faults.

[1ozzy]

Recently replaced window registers in a couple of cars, had the same problem.
The electric motors have a thermal override built in, if they get warm they will cut out until they cool down again. As they draw a fairly high current a bit of drag in the guides will cause them to over heat. As the electric motor ages they seem to trip the overload easily.