Do your electric windows work with the ignition off?

[TJMexico]

I was in my 2005 TJ Sport doing some stuff and the car was off - no key in the ignition. I accidentally hit the window button on the center dashboard and the window went down. This surprised me as I have never owned a vehicle in which the electric windows would function if the key was not at least in the accessory position.

Is this normal? Not a big deal as it seems to present no problem, but I'm just curious.

 

[dbbd1]

If you have power windows, someone added them. If so, maybe they wired them up to operate with the ignition off.

 

[mrblaine]

If so, maybe they wired them up to operate with the ignition off.

Just wondering, how would you test that to eliminate the maybe part?

 

[dbbd1]

Trace the wiring.

 

[mrblaine]

Trace the wiring.

Wouldn't it be much easier to just turn the ignition on and off and try the buttons?

 

[dbbd1]

No because the windows are already operable with the ignition off. Turning the ignition on won’t tell you much, unless they stop working. Which would really be weird.

 

[KennethS]

A TJ with power windows. Now that’s fancy.

 

[KennethS]

Turning the ignition on won’t tell you much, unless they stop working.

That would definitely tell you something.

 

[Zorba]

Most power windows don't work without the key being on - which is yet another reason I don't care for them.

 

[TJMexico]

A TJ with power windows. Now that’s fancy.

Yeah. I wanted the old fashioned roll-down ones, but this is what I ended up with.

 

[TJMexico]

If you have power windows, someone added them. If so, maybe they wired them up to operate with the ignition off.

I had not realized that they were not a stock option, but it seems that you are correct. This is an aftermarket kit, so I guess whoever installed them wired them to work with the ignition off.

The switches to move them are in the center dash console near the O/D off button, rear window wiper, etc. They look stock, so it's a decent kit, I guess. I have always wondered about changing them [back] to standard manual roll-up windows.

Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[GATORB8]

I had not realized that they were not a stock option, but it seems that you are correct. This is an aftermarket kit, so I guess whoever installed them wired them to work with the ignition off.

The switches to move them are in the center dash console near the O/D off button, rear window wiper, etc. They look stock, so it's a decent kit, I guess. I have always wondered about changing them [back] to standard manual roll-up windows.

Thanks for the heads-up.

You just need to find the feed harness and swap to an IGN source.

 

[Hopper]

dont some power windows work for a bit after the ignition is turned off until the door is open?

 

[TJMexico]

dont some power windows work for a bit after the ignition is turned off until the door is open?

Yeah, but these just work all the time. Nice feature, actually. I am not crazy for power windows (another "feature" that adds costs and is harder to fix), but I always hated having to turn the key on to move the windows.

Brave's search AI had this to say, so it cleared it up for me. That comment that I put in bold italics is very likely about me and this post. Scary stuff, that...

The 2005 Jeep Wrangler TJ Sport did not come with power windows from the factory.
Power windows were never available as a factory option on any model year TJ.
However, it is possible to install aftermarket power window kits on a 2005 TJ Sport. Several companies, such as Electric-Life, Quadratec, and A1 Electric, offer direct-fit kits designed specifically for the TJ model.
These kits typically involve replacing the manual window cranks with powered regulators and motors, installing switches (often in the dash or door), and running wiring through the vehicle.
One user reported that their 2005 TJ Sport's electric windows functioned even when the ignition was off, which is an unexpected feature not typically associated with factory systems.
While the factory configuration did not include power windows, aftermarket installations can provide this convenience.

 

[TJMexico]

You just need to find the feed harness and swap to an IGN source.

Nah. I'm good. Now that I know that it was an aftermarket install, I guess that's just the way they hooked them up. No worries. I like it, actually.

 

[Hopper]

Yeah, but these just work all the time. Nice feature, actually. I am not crazy for power windows (another "feature" that adds costs and is harder to fix), but I always hated having to turn the key on to move the windows.

Brave's search AI had this to say, so it cleared it up for me. That comment that I put in bold italics is very likely about me and this post. Scary stuff, that...

Maybe convert back unless you like having power windows. I just dont see the need in a TJ. Pretty short reach to passenger side.

 

[Zorba]

Nah. I'm good. Now that I know that it was an aftermarket install, I guess that's just the way they hooked them up. No worries. I like it, actually.

I'd certainly leave them that way if it were mine.