My 1980 SL will let the power windows work if the drivers door is open - ignition off - and my 1984 SL will only let the power windows work if the ignition switch is on or in run mode. Anyone know how I can fix my 1984 so it will let the windows go up and down when the door is open? Yes the interior light comes on when the door is open .. so the switch works.

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1980 280SL
1984 280SL
1998 Red Corvette

Perhaps its a design change. My '84 300CD, '84 300D and '83 300D... all three the windows do not operate when the key is off.

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'84 300CD Turbo 132k (Anthracite Grey) - WVO - My daily driver - Recently named coo-coo-coupe by my daughter.
'84 300D Turbo 240k (Anthracite Grey) - Garage Queen
'83 300D Turbo 220k (Orient Red) - WVO - Wifes daily driver

I'm not a certified mechanic, but I did stay at a HolidayInn Express last night.

and on my 87 300e the windows will work for a while after the ignition is switched off, almost as if there's some kind of electrical reservoir I have yet to check if this is related to the lock doors/automatic window up trick

however, I did have a problem recently where the windows would only work when one of the doors was open, engine running or not. not ideal, particularly when your AC isn't working either...

A search on this forum revealed that there's a diode hidden below the fuse box that controls this and it often blows. sure enough, it had. replacing it requires a trip to your local electronics store for a new diode which you solder in yourself.

this may be somehow related to your situation, if so hope it helps

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1987 300e manual 250,000 km (sold)