Carpokes Porsche Forum

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?

It's normal, at least on ROW cars.

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.

Interesting. I just checked and my windows don't go up or down without the key....

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)
Sox

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.

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....

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

This thread made me paranoid so I went to an obscure, rarely-referenced source for the answer -- my old owner's manual. 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....


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