Driver Side window cable snapped…

D

DanSprag

Member
Good Morning all,

You can probably guess what’s happened by the title..

Got in the car to drive home a few nights ago, went to wind down the window to say goodbye… cue loud rubberised squeaking sound followed by a crunch..

The window wound all the way down, then all the way back up again by itself…

Drove home with slight wind noise fearing the worst..

Finally had a chance to have a good look this morning – am able to push and pull the window up by hand no problems at all.
Pressing the window button emits a motor spinning noise.

Upon taking the door apart and rooting around a little, I found.

1x cable outer.
1x broken cable
1x white plastic cartridge like object with spring on outside and signs that the wire was inserted through it.
1x white cartridge holder.. other unit inserts into it and compresses spring…

The window itself is fine, all mounted correctly – still opens and closes beautifully.. just requires a bit more manual effort than usual.

So really I just want to make sure I’m going to buy the right bit – having had a look on line it doesn’t appear that I can just buy a new wire.. so is this the dreaded window regulator? And does it mean I need to replace the whole lot?

Any help happily accepted!

I took some pictures in case it helps…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66648882@N03/6068661777/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66648882@N03/6069208682/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66648882@N03/6068661295/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66648882@N03/6069208102/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66648882@N03/6068660949/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66648882@N03/6069207808/

Thanks
Danny
 
Search 'window regulator'. Common fault.

They are about £130 from BMW and are a bit fiddly to fit. The main task is trying to get it all aligned without any wind noise once its in.
 
Do the plastic retainers on these things snap causing the cable to fall freely like on e46's? Instead of replacing the entire regulator I've zip tied the cables back on on 3 cars now (all were done well over 4 years ago) and still going strong.
 
thanks Dreamer - thats what i suspected.

Unfortuantly the part that the cable fits into is obscured and would require most of the mechanisum to be removed in order to fix - plus i dont know what kind of mess the cable breaking may have made to what winds it in and out...
 
I assume that this is not what i want?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-New-BMW-Window-Regulator-Slider-Clips-/370524636361?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5644fd44c9
 
Morning All,

part has arrived so just about to make a start on this... any final advice?

also - what do you use to re-seal the window after you have finished to stop any leaks?

thanks
Danny
 
This happened to me a couple of months ago and I managed to change the regulator using the spaghetticoder link. It is a bit fiddly but not really difficult. I was going to do a better "how to" with more pics but it started pi55ing down just after removing the door panel and i was working outside, so I just concentrated on getting the job done as quick as.... :roll:

I still need to adjust the window as there is more wind noise than before, job for next weekend i think.

If you are average DIY competent you will be ok
 
If you want mickey mouse windows, then try the Elise; had one for eight years and had to rebond both windows every single year.
Good job I have small hands :lol:

PS. Haven't bought a Z4 yet but it's in the pipeline... :wink:
 
Exploded view and part numbers from when I was getting mine sorted

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BT52&mospid=47797&btnr=51_4859&hg=51&fg=10
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom