FYI-New window regulators - BMW Forum

441tech · 02-22-2006, 11:47 AM

Well, unfortunately my driver's side window "popping and grinding" ended up being the regulator itself. When I removed the door trim and airbag, there were literally pieces of plastic from the regulator laying in the bottom of the door. Once I removed the regulator assy., I noticed that the two window runners (one on each rail) that attach the window to the regulator were completely trash. Why? My guess is because they are made of white PLASTIC. :confused:

When I picked up my new regualto from BMW, (which suprisingly enough was only $70, with my discount) I noticed that they are now making the new runners out of 18 guage stamped steel. NICE improvement. Hopefully, I won't have another regulator problem, but if any others go bad, I'll have a good guess as to why. ;)

I hope this helps anybody out with window issues, as I appreciate the help with my problem from ya'll.

441tech

Ocean02 · 02-22-2006, 12:54 PM

Yeah, I got the Bimmer Grind goin' on slightly on my passenger window. Not enough to worry about right now, but if I ever have to fix it, I'll keep this in mind. Thanks!

Kulbiker · 02-22-2006, 01:05 PM

Me too......arghhhh....just spend a ton of green on the brakes and now i am having to contend with the grinding and popping cause have no money to repair the damn thing. Anyways not too bad now......so hoping it lasts a month or so.

Ocean02 · 02-22-2006, 01:10 PM

Pretty lame that a $30,000 + car would have this problem after only 4 years. My (ahem) 10 - 15 year-old Fords never had these pesky troubles!

Plastic window runners....shame on you, BMW.

FL325i · 02-27-2006, 10:15 PM

One window regulator replaced under warranty on the '03.

I have replaced 4 on my VW Jetta and 3 on my Isuzu Rodeo with the 4th one grinding away and working with assistance.

Ocean02 · 03-01-2006, 06:34 PM

Anyone know where the cheapest place to get regulators are and instructions on how to replace them? Sometimes I click the "down" button for my passenger window, and it will simply stop half-way, as if to say, "*sigh*....I give up....". Figure I might as well have a working window on the Ultimate Driving Machine....

f4iclipser · 03-02-2006, 12:17 AM

i need a window regulater also. anybody knows a cheap place to get it from

441tech · 03-03-2006, 09:17 AM

ok, one of my best kept secrets (at least around here) is a website which is sometimes my bread and butter. Check it out:

www.car-parts.com

This is a Nationwide inventory for junkyards. You will find ANYTHING on this site for ANY type of vehicle. It will tell you who has it, how far away it is, how much it costs, and what condition it's it--plus how many miles are on it.

Maybe it's not such a big secret all over, but it is around here. It gives me an edge to customers for pricing. Awesome site.

I hope this helps, and if anyone knows why I can't turn off my blinkers, please let me know.

used:

441tech
'99 323i E46

Ocean02 · 03-03-2006, 01:25 PM

Check your turn-signal fluid.

speedcrazy1532 · 03-10-2006, 12:01 AM

Hahahahaha, I haven't heard the turn signal fluid joke in years! My mechanic charged an ignorant and rude customer for that once!

Ocean02 · 03-10-2006, 03:29 PM

Hey guys, check out this link. It's a window regulator repair procedure that is next to free!

I'm gonna try it out this weekend to see if I can fix it.

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

325isBaby · 03-11-2006, 03:36 PM

Window regulators are SO common of a fix!!! Bread and Butter work

mrniceguy · 03-19-2006, 07:55 AM

I priced window regulators online between $70 - $90. My dealer sells them for $75.

Ocean02 · 03-20-2006, 10:40 AM

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!