E 85 Drivers side Electric window fault

[sdjarvis]

Hi All, I am a new owner of a Z4 E85. Its a lovely car with a few jobs that need doing. The main one is the drivers electric window issue. It will go down ok but will not come back up. Passenger side works fine. I have searched the forums and seen that there are some common issues which i think i have ruled out. I have had the window regulator and motor off and could not really find anything wrong. I have refitted it and put a join in the wiring just before the motor, when i connect a battery to the motor it will drive down fine, when i swap the wires around it drives back up. I then put it back as it should be, through the cars wiring and switch. Fault still there. So i am thinking motor and regulator ok as i can make it drive direct from a battery. So my thoughts are a faulty switch, i have ordered one from Ebay (Albeit second hand) its arrived just fitted it same fault. It is highly unlikely i would have the same fault on another switch. I am a bit stuck now. Any ideas please? Cheers

 

[ph001]

Hmmm, that is a bit puzzling! You can take the window switch apart easily and inspect / clean the contacts. I can't think what else it could be.

 

[thib70301]

Are you hearing any relay noise when you press the window switch? I have the same issue on my 2003. Drivers side window will not go down. Previous owner replaced the regulator, motor, and switch. I was able to reverse polarity on the motor and it does go down. Also have continuity from window switch to gm5 module. I can’t send my gm5 module to https://www.bmwgm5.com for Scott to replace the relay due the fact that the module appears to have previously been worked on. I recently ordered a used gm5 module from eBay and waiting for delivery.

 

[ph001]

The GM5 module is a good shout actually - I bet it is a dodgy relay on there. I think if you replace the entire module with one from Ebay you may have to have it coded to the car though

 

[thib70301]

Most functions should still work with out coding. Key fob will also need to be recoded.

 

[sdjarvis]

Hi Yes i can her a click when i try it. I have just tried a second switch, also have the same result works fine going down but will not lift. I did just notice though when i just drop it halfway and then try to lift it up it drops a few mm every time the switch is pressed. Not sure what that means.

 

[sdjarvis]

I will look into the GM 5 module next not sure what it is. Thanks all

 

[ph001]

Hi Yes i can her a click when i try it. I have just tried a second switch, also have the same result works fine going down but will not lift. I did just notice though when i just drop it halfway and then try to lift it up it drops a few mm every time the switch is pressed. Not sure what that means.

If you hear a click, then your window switches are OK. Even though you hear a click, the contacts on the relay could still be degraded so although they are making a mechanical connection, they are not making an electrical one.

 

[sdjarvis]

Ok thanks, so it is sounding like the Relay then.

 

[thib70301]

Installed my replacement eBay gm5 module and it fixed my window issue. Just had to reprogram my key using this procedure https://www.bmwgm5.com/key_recode.htm. Your easiest and cheaper solution would be to send your gm5 module to Scott at https://www.bmwgm5.com. His site will also explain how to remove the module and what will not work while the module is not in your car.

 

[sdjarvis]

Hi All,

Just a quick update, i removed the GM5 Module as suggested and found someone on Ebay to repair. All sorted now, thanks everyone for the help and advice. I used AutoElectron in Harrogate, great service Module sent on Wednesday PM returned Sat AM. They also phoned up to discuss the fault. Would recommend if anyone needs this kind of work.

Cheers

Steve