'89 Spider: power windows died

[Ron King <eking@domain.elided>]

Hi all,

I know a little bit about how cars work, but not much about the electrics.

Yesterday both power windows went dead. This wouldn't be catastrophic, 
except that I can't open my driver's side door from the inside (the handle 
just goes 'round and 'round, which is another problem I had been waiting to 
get to). So it's a little tough getting out of the car with the top up. No, 
I'm afraid I can't leave the top down *all* the time.

I know it's not the #1 fuse. I haven't yet gotten the console apart to 
check the unit with the up and down buttons. If it's a short somewhere, I 
probably don't know how to find it myself. I'm writing the group to ask two 
questions. And we all know there are no dumb questions, right? ... I hope?

1) I've read others on the list talking about relays. I don't really know 
what those are, but I was wondering if the windows used them, and if they 
do, where are they and how can I check them.

2) There are a few big square things plugged in right next to the fuse box. 
I'm afraid I don't know what they are. Are any of them related to the windows?

Thanks for reading my simple questions,

- -- Ron King

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