unanticipated problem replacing window regulator

[Anonymous]

My Z4 2003 3.0 manual required a new passenger side window regulator due to broken cabling. Easy I thought - I purchased a unit including window motor from Ebay (genuine part etc) for a really good price of £62 including motor and regulator. On fitting the regulator assembly I thought I was almost home and dry when I proceeded to plug in the car motor plug into the new motor socket only to find my car had a 2 pin plug and the new motor had a 6 pin socket!!!! Not only that, previously when checking my own motor unit I had broken the brushes when re-inserting the armature unit. To cut a long story short, I had to desolder the carbon brushes from my old motor and the new motor and swap them over. After re-assembly the window would not go down slightly upon opening the door and then return up as it should when shut GRRRR!! I had to extract the 2 pins from my socket and reverse them to restore the function - no idea as to why I had to do this except I noticed as I moved the window down it moved up slightly at the end of travel (the opposite to normal). Anyway, job completed and much learned. Also, manufacturers really do not make it easy for the layman - T50 torx/T45/ plus an array of unusual headed screws certainly did not make this an easy task if one does not have a fairly comprehensive tool collection!! I dread to think what a 'stealer ' would charge for such a repair!

 

[Anonymous]

This has just got worse! Went down to the car this morning only to discover the window had shattered. Must have not lined it up properly and the tension caused it to shatter as it pushed against the frame. Now looking for a used window from a breakers and having to go through the process of ensuring I do not make the same mistake. I perhaps should have indeed taken the car to a garage!!

 

[cj10jeeper]

Wow - this is a tale of woe.

Can I assume that the replacement part is off a different model year?

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, the window regulator and motor was from a 2004 Z4. They have a 6 pin socket - I wonder why? Perhaps someone could enlighten me as to why?

 

[Anonymous]

Managed to obtain a replacement, used window from 'FAB BMW direct' at a great price of £52. I had to remove the tint however by heating the film and carefully pealing it off. It took me an eternity to remove pieces of broken glass from the interior and especially from inside the door. I had to fabricate a hook-like tool from a wire coat hanger in order to pull out the glass fragments from the bottom door recess and hoover and move them towards the small holes at the door bottom. New window now fitted and I only have to find a method of ensuring the two terminals of the electrical pin do not come loose from the pins of the socket on the electric motor. Also, when twisting the door lock release pin wire thing , I broke the small plastic clip that keeps it inserted in the door. I will have to await the end of the ice age before I can visit the BMW parts dept. for a replacement.
I have learned much from this experience however, I am disappointed that the unit has failed in a car of this age and quality (I have owned Mercs, Bmws, Saabs, Hondas and VWs without ever having such a failure!!! I still love the Z and for every wee job I have to do to it I feel it becomes more my car!

 

[bmwangler]

....................and for every wee job I have to do to it I feel it becomes more my car!

Very true, before discovering this Forum I'd have been terrified to touch anything in my Zed, but the generous sharing of knowledge here has made the ownership of the car hugely more enjoyable for me.

Even more important, the general awareness of the car derived from involvement here has eliminated most of the fears and worries of owning a car like the Z4.