Door trim - electric window - BMW Forum

rsk289 · 02-02-2006, 04:09 PM

I have a 2000 E46 Touring, 330i. There's an awful noise coming from the passenger's front window when I hit the 'up' button - something's definitely not right in there!
Anyone know how easy it is to get the door trim off to investigate? I've never done this with an airbag car before - is this a problem? Any tips/clues?

Thanks,

Roger

Ocean02 · 02-02-2006, 05:31 PM

I had the same problem when I first purchased my 2002 325i. When I'd hit the down or up botton on the passenger front window, it would grind and pop and make all kinds of noise. I just recently got the windows tinted and it doesn't do it anymore...go figure. But I'm interested anyway...

mo-s3 · 02-05-2006, 04:33 PM

easy enough to do...... remove the blank cover from the door handle where the electric window switch would normally be. There are 2 more covers below the door handle/rest. Also remove the trim usually carbon fibre/aluminium/wwod effect etc.
Once these have been removed there are 5 torx screws visible which all need to be removed.Once removed you will have to pry the panel out starting at the bottom. Try using a wide blade screwdriver until the panel pops out enough for you to get your fingers behind it. Be very careful not to damage the panel and your paint.
Work your way around unpopping the panel until you come to the top. Here the door panel will have to be pulled away from the window firmly leaving the rubber seal still on the door. Start at the door mirror end.
Once removed you can easily unplug any connecters and pull away the cable for the door handle.

rsk289 · 02-07-2006, 07:57 AM

I'll have a go at it this w/end. I gather that the regulators on E46s can be a problem, so I'm guessing this is what's on the way out. DIY change, or not?

Roger

rsk289 · 02-10-2006, 05:36 PM

- a small lug on the window bracket had snapped off, allowing the crimp on the cable to jump out and bang against the guide rail. A self-tap and washer screwed into the bracket now holds it in, no noises.

Thanks guys!

Ocean02 · 02-10-2006, 06:27 PM

Good job. I'll keep this in mind if I ever have to do this myself.

BimmerJD · 02-11-2006, 12:44 PM

what about the airbag in the door? is that stationary after you pull off the panel?

rsk289 · 02-11-2006, 06:46 PM

...remove the airbag assembly to get the rain curtain off, before you can access the window parts. Dead easy, just 3 bolts and let it hang on the wires.

Roger

441tech · 02-19-2006, 02:06 PM

Cool...I have the same issue with my driver's window. It sounds terrible, but hopefully it's something simple.

Thanks!

versace · 02-21-2006, 03:59 PM

I also had that problem.Then I recognized that the noise appear when the weather is cold/below zero/.Maybe something was frozen in the system of the electric window.When the weather is warm,there are no awful sounds coming from the window!

Ocean02 · 03-10-2006, 03:31 PM

Guys, check out this site for a step-by step proceedure on how to repair this noisy window:

http://www.skene.org/bmw/window/index.html

mrniceguy · 03-19-2006, 07:48 AM

Thats a good link Ocean02. I've replaced 3 window regulators myself. Total time takes me about 35 - 45 minutes.

IMPORTANT NOTE: While the airbag is diconnected, DO NOT turn the key to the ON position! The computer with signal an airbag fault and the dealer or some other ripoff join will have to clear the code. The dealer was going to charge me over $100 to clear the code. And an Imports speciality shop was going to charge me $90 bucks to clear the clode (as the manager put it he "has to pay for his tools").

If you want to check to see if everything works before you reassemble the door, be sure the airbag is reconnected.

Ocean02 · 03-20-2006, 10:44 AM

Shit! I wish someone told me that before! Now the friggin' air bag light it stuck on...

If anyone out there knows how to remove the bolt on the window that connects the glass to the windor rail, please let me know. I tried to do the above linked fix with the zip ties, and I could not get this damn bolt removed. Here's a pic of the bolt on my 2002 325i. An 8mm wrench was too large and a 7mm was too small! Then I got to thinking, even if I got this bolt removed and the window disconnected from the rail, how would I get the bolt back in? I cannot squeeze even one finger in there!

Please help! Also, my air bag light won't turn off now that I have disconnected the air back and put it back in. I tried disconnecting the battery over night, but the light stays on. I did reconnect the air bag connector, so is there some reset deal I have to do?

Thanks!