Wiring Diagram help

[Laldog]

OK, I admit I'm no Electrical Engineer (and from my previous post you can probably tell I'm no genius either), but I thought with a new wiring diagram, I'd be able to sort a few things out, simple things like which set of wires controls which window lift, etc.
Not the case.

Are there any links, previous posts, websites, etc that detail and explain what is contained in the wiring diagram and ways to troubleshoot various electrical issues ?

 

[Sven]

The wiring diagram in the blue service manuals show the wire colors and sizes, and reference a table indicating what each piece of electrical equipment is. The color abbreviations are in german, but are keyed on the equipment page. I also found it helpful to copy the drawings 200% on a copy machine to make them readable. What diagram are you working with?

 

[DaveG]

And to make it worse I've found many mistakes in simply incorrect labeling of obvious components (such as wiring junctions labeled as switches for instance) The parts were all there they just werent labled correctly.......So be careful and cross check the component list with the diagram before you get too far in.
DaveG

 

[DaveG]

Forgot to mention that if your wiring is obviously different from the diagram, to check other models around your year and model as it seems changes didn't strictly follow model years....
DaveG

 

[Honolulu]

and furthermore

sometimes problems which you'd think are electrical, are actually mechanical.

Instance: windows.
Symptom: Windows don't go down, stuck at full closed.
Possible electrical problem: bad fuse, bad switch, open in wiring, failed motor.

Diagnosis, the hard way: At first you'd think the window motors are not receiving current, but that can be checked with a voltmeter at the window motors. An apparent bad switch can actually be a mechanical problem if it is full of crap or the old grease has congealed, preventing flow of juice across the contacts). A suspect switch can be checked with a continuity tester or voltmeter.

Diagnosis, the easy way: ask your pals on the list. Windows get stuck in the up position, particularly if they aren't used often. The window regulator mechanism is supposed to prevent this but for various reasons, may not. It may be that you just have to "help" them a little with a gentle shove, or you may have to access the window regulator and see about the position of the rubber bump stop.

As for the wiring diagrams, they are great, but most often you will still have to deal with the components, not the wires. The diagram shows how path of power but it's more often (give the age of these beasties) that the components are the issue.

Lots of luck. I have only operational fronts right now, and need a replacement regulator for the front right. Anyone got one that isn't all notchy in the gears, from the motor wearing its mounts out of whack?
Also, later coupes have circuit breakers on the lower dash panel, "Push the button, Max" (obscure movie reference), and see if the problem is corrected.