Windows work with ignition off

Talk and Tech about turbocharged 924/944/968 cars
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Richey
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I’m doing the alarm on my car which includes a window module to roll the windows up when armed or when someone sticks their hand in the car.

As I took off the door card. I realized the window worked with the ignition off and keys on my toolbox.

I found some threads online saying this is a faulty relay keeping it powered but my thermal camera shows the relay isn’t drawing any power.

Before now I don’t think I ever tried the windows with the ignition off. Is this normal?

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Thom
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It's normal, at least on ROW cars.
'90 944 turbo

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jeyjey
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Yeah, IIRC the windows work with the key on OR the door open. Allows you to roll up the window after getting out before you close the door.
'87 944 NA
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Tom
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Interesting. I just checked and my windows don't go up or down without the key....

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soxnail
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Key has to be in the ignition and on first click for the windows to work.
Exception: when you turn off the ignition but have not opened the door yet. (In my 1986 951)
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Thom
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Tom wrote: Tue Jun 23, 2026 9:28 am Interesting. I just checked and my windows don't go up or down without the key....
Mine didn't work for a long time until I fixed a poor contact in the door switch.
'90 944 turbo

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Tom
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Thom wrote: Tue Jun 23, 2026 1:57 pm
Tom wrote: Tue Jun 23, 2026 9:28 am Interesting. I just checked and my windows don't go up or down without the key....
Mine didn't work for a long time until I fixed a poor contact in the door switch.
Wonder if it's a ROW thing? My door switch seems to work fine -- it triggers the dome light and gong relay....

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PSU_Crash
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Tom wrote: Tue Jun 23, 2026 9:28 am Interesting. I just checked and my windows don't go up or down without the key....
Same behavior on my 86. Even with a questionable door switch. Sometimes there's a ding and a light. Usually not. It's on the list
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Tom
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This thread made me paranoid so I went to an obscure, rarely-referenced source for the answer -- my old owner's manual. :shifty: It says exactly what @soxnail said. I understand from poking around that a stuck relay can also allow the windows to work without the key. But, perhaps more relevant here, I also found an NHTSA regulation that prohibits (in the US) the windows from working without the key (except after removing the key and before opening a door). Since the car works exactly as specified by that US law, I would not be at all surprised if it were a US-only 'feature.' If anyone has a Euro Owners Handbook, I'd love to see if this page is different....

944-Owners-Manual-re-Windows.jpg
944-Owners-Manual-re-Windows.jpg (422.24 KiB) Viewed 1 time

https://www.nhtsa.gov/interpretations/2831o

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