Drivers window not working properly? Stuck/Slowly moving.

[Tango22]

Having an issue with my drivers window. This morning it was very slow to go down and back up. But now it seems to be only moving a bit at a time and refuses to go right back up. I can grab the glass with my hand and pull it all the way up but it then just sinks back down again.

Also, the up/down functions seem to be random - sometimes when you press the down switch it'll go up and vice-versa

Any ideas? Short video below:-

[youtube]https://youtube.com/shorts/TJCDWtBZoxM?si=YveEZ2IFonjTyILd[/youtube]

 

[bigwinn]

Regulator is just about to give up the fight

I think you can hear the cables: they will have frayed/split and will be wound around the mechanism

 

[Tango22]

Regulator is just about to give up the fight

I think you can hear the cables: they will have frayed/split and will be wound around the mechanism

There's definitely a squeaking/grinding noise coming from it. And over the last week or so there was a slight grinding noise too, I assumed it was maybe just some grit stuck in the window runners.

 

[tomscott]

Definitely the window regulators, ive had my drivers done and the passenger now also needs doing. Its a pain because you need to replace the door membrane as they are one time use and getting them off is a pain. unfortunately that = labour. I had my indy do it for me last time and it wasnt cheap but someone had already been in and the membrane needed replacing anyway.

I had a leak on my passenger side too and the membrane acts as a waterproof barrier if it splits or the seal perishes you tend to find as water heads down the door drains it end up straight in the cabin.

 

[Umfaan]

I have. Window regulator mechanisms available.
Both sides
What year is you car ?
Where you located?

 

[Tango22]

Thanks all, after looking at a few other posts I kinda thought it must be the regulator, although I was hoping it wasn't.

 

[Tango22]

I have. Window regulator mechanisms available.
Both sides
What year is you car ?
Where you located?IMG_4529.jpeg

Hi, many thanks for that but I think I'll just book it into my local Indy and have them do it. From a few of the YouTube videos I've watched it looks like a complete pain of a job which I'm not really up for tackling myself!!!

 

[ryushe]

I just (well, month or so ago) did mine, and I was NOT looking forward to it. Turns out it was a lot easier than I was expecting. It was my first time doing one, and I think it took me all of 2 hours total to get the old one out and the new one in, and that includes a complete clean as well while I was in there.
In summary, buy one off of Umfaan and give it a shot. Worst comes to worst you can always still drop it off at your local. Best case you get it done and save a bunch of cash!

 

[MikeyH]

I’ve done both of mine and if I can, anyone can. Just make sure that the ones you get have the correct motor, they are either white or black and have a different number of pins on the connector. Check before you fit as you will need to swap the motor over first.

 

[Roberltd2]

Just recently done repair this myself.
There are a couple of useful guides in the E85 / E86"How To" section.
I also added a link to a really useful guide on YouTube which I found to bevery helpful.

 

[SqerrNipz]

I had this issue and found the cable on my passenger window regulator had rusted through and broken. Replacement is not too hard, just a little fiddly.

This is a fantastic video walkthrough of it https://youtu.be/hYuXjpeAgOA?si=_kSJoeKVZ3ZNr3h6

Good opportunity to replace the door membranes (about £43 each from BMW) and put some sound deadening in the door skins. Gives a much more satisfying 'clunk' when closing them Also for the door membranes, use the TEC7 sealant recommended by many on here. I used butyl tape, but it failed and flooded my carpets...

 

[ryushe]

This is a fantastic video walkthrough of it https://youtu.be/hYuXjpeAgOA?si=_kSJoeKVZ3ZNr3h6

That's the one I used. Great guide on how to get it done!

 

[Tango22]

Thanks, all.

Booked into my local Indy for next Tuesday to have the regulator replaced. Will post back with the final total for the bill once it’s done.

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks, all.

Booked into my local Indy for next Tuesday to have the regulator replaced. Will post back with the final total for the bill once it’s done.

That'll be an interesting wee bill. :roll:

 

[eddietiv1]

How much did they finally charge Tango22 as I'm going to need mine doing shortly.

 

[MikeyH]

I did both of mine myself, plenty of help on here and the internet, takes a while and is a bit fiddly but doable as diy. And a lot cheaper. Or if you are near Norfolk there’s a man with the skill to do it for you

 

[enuff_zed]

I did both of mine myself, plenty of help on here and the internet, takes a while and is a bit fiddly but doable as diy. And a lot cheaper. Or if you are near Norfolk there’s a man with the skill to do it for you

Not just me though. People dotted all over the country who can do it, or assist you in doing it.

 

[Lynchy]

Mine gave up a few weeks ago so I sourced one locally from a breaker and fitted it myself, it was very fiddly to get the old one out and the new one in and lined up but I got there in the end. The membrane was ok and not ripped at all and sealed back very well.

 

[Tango22]

How much did they finally charge Tango22 as I'm going to need mine doing shortly.

Part was £180 and it was £240 labour.

I'd have struggled to do it myself due to health reasons, so whilst it's obviously much less expensive going DIY, its not a viable option for me.

 

[enuff_zed]

How much did they finally charge Tango22 as I'm going to need mine doing shortly.

Part was £180 and it was £240 labour.

I'd have struggled to do it myself due to health reasons, so whilst it's obviously much less expensive going DIY, its not a viable option for me.

Fair enough. And I assume a brand new part?
Whilst it wouldn’t work for you, just for anyone else looking into this, a secondhand unit would be half that and personally I would do the work for a darn sight less as well.