Rewiring my car...

[mynameisdaniel]

So there's one thing that really annoys me about my new car. I had the same problem with my old car and it was the first thing I changed on that car.

The power windows (maybe sunroof too) only operate when the ignition is set to 'on'. Ideally I'd like to have it changed so there's constant power to the window controls. If this isn't possible changing it to accessories would be the next best thing I guess.


On my last car it was a simple fix, I moved the wire in the fuse box (and fuse) for the windows to an unused constant power slot. This ran constant power to the window controls throughout the car allowing me to operate any windows while the car was off and the key removed. It did have one side effect, the led light for the driver side 'auto' button was always on, but it never caused any issues in 2.5 years.

Has anyone done this, seen instructions on how to do this or have any ideas how to do this?

Cheers,
Daniel

[zch91]

I wouldn't do it as it would make your car a breeze to break in to.. maybe have a timer for like 1/2 mins after key is taken out so you can do it then?

[mynameisdaniel]

Fair point, but I don't leave my car anywhere something like that is likely to happen. Plus if anyone gets into the car there's nothing of value for them and your average car thief can't get past an immobiliser anyway so I'm not worried about that side of things.

[mynameisdaniel]

Okay, project 1 down, windows are now constantly powered. Now I want to do the same for the sunroof. I know what I need to do, it's just a matter of finding which one of the 56486 connectors is the one I'm looking for.

Basically I need to know where the roof wiring comes down to behind the fuse box in the cabin. On the bulkhead I need to find connector B90 which the R50 connector plugs into. The other end of the R50 is routed to the roof but I don't know if it goes up the A pillar or what so I'm hoping someone knows?...

Cheers
Dan

[mihai]

How did you get constant power to the power windows? Is it on ALL the time or only for a limited amount of time after the car is switched off?

Also, do the lights on the buttons stay on all the time now?

[mynameisdaniel]

How did you get constant power to the power windows? Is it on ALL the time or only for a limited amount of time after the car is switched off?

Also, do the lights on the buttons stay on all the time now?

Basically there's a relay that controls the windows. I disconnected the wire that tells the relay to turn on when the car is turned to ignition and added a constant switch wire so the relay is always active. I plan on adding some kind of switch so when the car is locked the constant switch wire is interrupted, disabling the windows. But I haven't worked out how to do that yet, it'll be a little complicated I think as I would also like to be able to lock the car while driving and still have control of windows...

And yes the lights stay on all the time now. It wasn't a problem in my last car after 2.5 years so I don't imagine the little LEDs will give me much trouble.

[mynameisdaniel]

Slowly getting somewhere. Got a slightly easier question that I really hope someone has an answer for
I need to power my sunroof using a constant 12V source. It's not just a relay this time so there will be a current draw on this source...

Is there a 12V source behind the fuse box I can safely tap into? Trying to avoid running a new wire through the firewall at this stage

[teK--]

[quote="mynameisdaniel"]

Basically there's a relay that controls the windows. I disconnected the wire that tells the relay to turn on when the car is turned to ignition and added a constant switch wire so the relay is always active. I plan on adding some kind of switch so when the car is locked the constant switch wire is interrupted, disabling the windows. But I haven't worked out how to do that yet, it'll be a little complicated I think as I would also like to be able to lock the car while driving and still have control of windows...

And yes the lights stay on all the time now. It wasn't a problem in my last car after 2.5 years so I don't imagine the little LEDs will give me much trouble.[/quote

I'd be concerned of the relay coil burning out due to powered 24/7 better off swapping for a Normally Closed relay?

[mynameisdaniel]

I'd be concerned of the relay coil burning out due to powered 24/7 better off swapping for a Normally Closed relay?

Yeah I thought about that, worse case, if I do decide to return it back to stock and the relay doesn't switch as it should, I just buy a new relay.

[teK--]

I'd be concerned of the relay coil burning out due to powered 24/7 better off swapping for a Normally Closed relay?

Yeah I thought about that, worse case, if I do decide to return it back to stock and the relay doesn't switch as it should, I just buy a new relay.

It's more if the relay coil burns out in the interim and can't switch from the Normally off Position, it means you won't be able to operate your windows at all. Not as bad if they are already closed, but it is a pain if they are stuck open and then you can't leave the car unattended (I've been in both situations!).

It appears you are competent at splicing/soldering so an even better way to do it is to bypass the factory relay using a bridging wire which has a manual switch on it (install a fuse depending how far away you need to run the switch). That way you have full control of the override without putting additional wear and tear on the factory relay. You can also then switch it off for periods when the car will be parked for an extended period of time to minimise battery drain.

[mynameisdaniel]

I'd be concerned of the relay coil burning out due to powered 24/7 better off swapping for a Normally Closed relay?

Yeah I thought about that, worse case, if I do decide to return it back to stock and the relay doesn't switch as it should, I just buy a new relay.

It's more if the relay coil burns out in the interim and can't switch from the Normally off Position, it means you won't be able to operate your windows at all. Not as bad if they are already closed, but it is a pain if they are stuck open and then you can't leave the car unattended (I've been in both situations!).

It appears you are competent at splicing/soldering so an even better way to do it is to bypass the factory relay using a bridging wire which has a manual switch on it (install a fuse depending how far away you need to run the switch). That way you have full control of the override without putting additional wear and tear on the factory relay. You can also then switch it off for periods when the car will be parked for an extended period of time to minimise battery drain.

That I didn't think about... Thanks I may end up going with a simple solution like that. Ideally I think the best option is to work out how to get the relay to operate depending on whether the car is locked or unlocked, ie, disable the windows once I lock the car. I haven't got a clue how to go about that at the moment though... but I would also run a relay on my sunroof so that is disabled when I lock the car too, would be nice to have a working solution without the need for extra buttons.

[teK--]

That I didn't think about... Thanks I may end up going with a simple solution like that. Ideally I think the best option is to work out how to get the relay to operate depending on whether the car is locked or unlocked, ie, disable the windows once I lock the car. I haven't got a clue how to go about that at the moment though... but I would also run a relay on my sunroof so that is disabled when I lock the car too, would be nice to have a working solution without the need for extra buttons.

Keep the stock relay setup. Have constant bypass wire
with a latching relay inline which is switched by lock and unlock wires of your keyless entry

[mynameisdaniel]

Keep the stock relay setup. Have constant bypass wire
with a latching relay inline which is switched by lock and unlock wires of your keyless entry

Wish I knew more about electronics. The only components I really understand and would be confident using are diodes, switches and simple relays. Had a look at these latching relays but it seems that's getting kind of complicated, finding trigger wires for locking and unlocking etc...

Any ideas on what would be powered only when the car is locked or unlocked? Was thinking something to do with the alarm wiring but the wiring diagrams for that aren't too clear.

[Rome_BRZ]

Wish I knew more about electronics. The only components I really understand and would be confident using are diodes

Read that wrong when I first looked at it

[teK--]

Keep the stock relay setup. Have constant bypass wire
with a latching relay inline which is switched by lock and unlock wires of your keyless entry

Wish I knew more about electronics. The only components I really understand and would be confident using are diodes, switches and simple relays. Had a look at these latching relays but it seems that's getting kind of complicated, finding trigger wires for locking and unlocking etc...

Any ideas on what would be powered only when the car is locked or unlocked? Was thinking something to do with the alarm wiring but the wiring diagrams for that aren't too clear.

Check out the12volt.com for a good reference for relays and how to use them in various applications. As for the trigger wires they are located at the Body Control Module which is located just below and in front of the steering column under dashboard. Alternatively you can tap into the central locking relay (I'm not sure where this is located as I did all my wire tapping at the BCM when I installed my alarm).