Window control issue

[Vervish]

Hi everyone,

Recently picked up a 2004 Z4 2.5i roadster and I have a passenger window control issue.

When controlling the window from the driver’s control, the passenger window will only roll down, regardless of whether I hold the switch in the up or down position - window only goes down. Driver’s side window switch works correctly.

Passenger window responds correctly (i) when controlled from passenger side switch , (ii) when lowering or raising the top and when holding the open button on the key fob. Seems to only not work correctly when controlled from drivers side.

I purchased and installed a new driver’s side window switch panel from BMW and I tried the window reset steps. No luck - issue remains.

Where should I investigate next? Thanks.

 

[Street]

It’ll be a dead / dying relay on the GM5 module. Simple swap.
It’s located in the passenger footwell tucked right behind the foot kick trim.
There are two types; star 5 and star 12. You can either send yours off to be repaired or buy one second hand on eBay and swap out. I’d do the later as they were found on many cars so fairly common.

 

[Vervish]

Thanks - that’s what my research was leading me to too. I saw the BM5 whilst replacing my cabin air filter last week.

I thought the BM5’was not interchangeable without having it “married” to my car? Can I just buy one and plug it in?

 

[Street]

GM5 (General Module)
As long as you replace with the correct star type it’s very likely to be a simple swap. You might want to code options:

The GM5 doesn’t need to be programmed to your VIN but it can have its options coded such as triple blink indicators. If someone’s had fun with it before you’ll just adopt their settings until you reset it.

From memory you’ll need to re-pair your remote key fob after the switch. To do that:
Sit in the car with doors closed. Put the key into the ignition to position one (engine not started) then remove.
Now while pressing the open button also press the lock button three times. The car will lock to confirm the sequence was a success.

 

[enuff_zed]

GM5 (General Module)
As long as you replace with the correct star type it’s very likely to be a simple swap. You might want to code options:

The GM5 doesn’t need to be programmed to your VIN but it can have its options coded such as triple blink indicators. If someone’s had fun with it before you’ll just adopt their settings until you reset it.

From memory you’ll need to re-pair your remote key fob after the switch. To do that:
Sit in the car with doors closed. Put the key into the ignition to position one (engine not started) then remove.
Now while pressing the open button also press the lock button three times. The car will lock to confirm the sequence was a success.

And as I found from annoying experience, you need to do both keys one straight after the other if you have two.
Otherwise the other one will lose it's connectivity.

You don't need to put the second key in the ignition though, just as soon as you've done the process on the first one, pick up the second one and do the button press operation on that as well.

You should find as each key pairs the doors will lock and unlock.

You may also find people on here with spare GM5s if you put up a wanted ad.
Out of good manners I think you should ask [ref]Street[/ref] first as he was first to reply to you.

Oh, and depending where you are based, there'll be members about who can then code whatever you want on the replacement one.

 

[Street]

I do have one but I’m up to my eyes at the moment with stuff. Can you help @enuff_zed?

 

[enuff_zed]

I do have one but I’m up to my eyes at the moment with stuff. Can you help @enuff_zed?

[ref]Vervish[/ref], let us know which sort of GM5 you need first, and maybe where you are then we can sort the nearest assistance for you.
I'm happy to help out if I can.

 

[Vervish]

Thanks for the assistance - I need to pull the GM5 and confirm which version I have.

I am in the US - in New Jersey. Not sure if there are any local services or if I should just head over to ebay. Good news is I can just reach over and raise the window using passenger switch for now!

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks for the assistance - I need to pull the GM5 and confirm which version I have.

I am in the US - in New Jersey. Not sure if there are any local services or if I should just head over to ebay. Good news is I can just reach over and raise the window using passenger switch for now!

Ah damn!
There we go assuming everyone is this side of the pond, sorry.
If it's a Star 5 low then there are lots of places (in the UK) that refurbish them, but not so many do the Star 12 and they are usually around 50% more expensive.
Good luck.
By the time you factor in postage costs it's pretty certain to be cheaper for you to get yours fixed.

 

[colb]

Prime example why I always advise new members to update their user details to show location and model of car, it saves them typing them in on future posts and assists us when answering their questions.

 

[Vervish]

Still not fixed..

Found a GM5 on eBay for $200 - swapped it out in 5 minutes, but issue remains.

Driver side has a new switch yet passenger side window can only be rolled down from drivers side (not up). Works normally from passenger side switch and when opening closing roof.

Any idea where I should look next?

 

[Vervish]

Quick update: still no resolution after replacing GM5, but I tried disconnected the passenger side window control switch to see if it was part of the problem. No change - drivers side can only bring the passenger window down, not up.

I am stumped.

 

[Street]

I fear you're into wiring continuity testing territory. I've attached a screenshot of the wiring diagram of a left hand car.
I can see the passenger switch is patched into the line between the drivers door and the GM5 so we can assume everything after that is OK. (because your passenger switch works OK).

On the diagram you can see a connector lablled X257. Thats the connector from the door to the car body. Pic also attached.
Might be worth having a look there and trying a continuity test to that point to see if a wire is broken.

The window wires patch together in the footwell. My docs show left hand footwell (right hand steering) so might be the other side for US cars.
Shout if you get to that point and need more specific info.

 

[Vervish]

Great info - thanks!

 

[Vervish]

Update: ordered continuity tester and decided to check for codes.

Found this related to the window, but not sure what it means. I tried clearing it, but it popped back up.

 

[Street]

Update: ordered continuity tester and decided to check for codes.

Found this related to the window, but not sure what it means. I tried clearing it, but it popped back up.

That’s just the one press up and down function of the windows that needs to be reset.