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Thread: e32: How to change power window motor

  1. #1

    Default e32: How to change power window motor

    Hi,
    I am just wondering if there's a way to change power window motor without taking out the power window bracket? My rear power windows are busted at both sides.

    Thnks,
    rahman
    Rahman in Kuala Lumpur,
    1988 520i M20B20
    1988 730i M30B30
    1982 323/6 M20B23
    1980 316
    1984 GPZ550

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    baton rouge, loserana
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    Default

    try giving them a good wack while giving it power, this works about half of the time for us. you can take the motor out of the gear box by removing the two screws but i can't remember if that's one that you can get back in after it's removed, some you can't
    all america wants is cold beer warm cat and a place to take a poop with a door on it

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2004
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    9,249

    Default Rahman

    probably you know it, but just in case......

    It sounds strange to me that both window motors are out at the same time.
    The switch block for all 4 windows is between drivers and passenger seat.
    There is a small rectangular button in this switch block between the switches for the rear windows. That is the child lock for the windows at the rear. If you push that switch down, windows at the rear cannot be operated with the switches in the rear doors.
    Also the ilumination on the switches at the rear doors is off then.

    Maybe that's all you have to do.


  4. #4

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by winfred
    try giving them a good wack while giving it power, this works about half of the time for us. you can take the motor out of the gear box by removing the two screws but i can't remember if that's one that you can get back in after it's removed, some you can't
    Hi Winfred,
    I did unscrew the the 2 screws, but it seems the motor can't be taken out. If it works after the whacking, how long will it last after that?

    BTW, anyone succsessfully replaced the motor without taking out the the motor mounting bracket? Need to drill out the rivets..
    Rahman in Kuala Lumpur,
    1988 520i M20B20
    1988 730i M30B30
    1982 323/6 M20B23
    1980 316
    1984 GPZ550

  5. #5

    Default

    Shogun,
    Thanks. I'll check that out for my rear windows on my e32.

    But it would be good, if can tell me how to change the motor with least hassle or the right way? Seems like Johan&Sean, Gale and bmwe34.net dont have this documented yet...

    Help...

    Quote Originally Posted by shogun
    probably you know it, but just in case......

    It sounds strange to me that both window motors are out at the same time.
    The switch block for all 4 windows is between drivers and passenger seat.
    There is a small rectangular button in this switch block between the switches for the rear windows. That is the child lock for the windows at the rear. If you push that switch down, windows at the rear cannot be operated with the switches in the rear doors.
    Also the ilumination on the switches at the rear doors is off then.

    Maybe that's all you have to do.

    Rahman in Kuala Lumpur,
    1988 520i M20B20
    1988 730i M30B30
    1982 323/6 M20B23
    1980 316
    1984 GPZ550

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    baton rouge, loserana
    Posts
    6,922

    Default

    i've yet to see a german window motor wear out (busted gearboxes and stripped/bent regulators are another thing), it's almost always dirt or rust that stops the motor, a good wack sometimes jars the motor back into operation and with enough use it will clean itself sometimes and not need to be taken apart
    all america wants is cold beer warm cat and a place to take a poop with a door on it

  7. #7

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by winfred
    i've yet to see a german window motor wear out (busted gearboxes and stripped/bent regulators are another thing), it's almost always dirt or rust that stops the motor, a good wack sometimes jars the motor back into operation and with enough use it will clean itself sometimes and not need to be taken apart
    KOOL! In fact, i just wacked the passanger door (on my e34) and it's working again. Although feel not to use it, but seems recommended to use it all the time? So will use it more often.. or rather exercise it...
    Rahman in Kuala Lumpur,
    1988 520i M20B20
    1988 730i M30B30
    1982 323/6 M20B23
    1980 316
    1984 GPZ550

  8. #8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by winfred
    i've yet to see a german window motor wear out (busted gearboxes and stripped/bent regulators are another thing), it's almost always dirt or rust that stops the motor, a good wack sometimes jars the motor back into operation and with enough use it will clean itself sometimes and not need to be taken apart
    Winfred,
    I managed to drill the rivet, and get the motor to run again. And now i probably know why it was rivetted, because it would probably get in window's way when winding down.

    but my problem now, the motor won't wind down the window after it came down about 1 inch, unless push down by force on the window. Is there any alignment i need to do?
    Rahman in Kuala Lumpur,
    1988 520i M20B20
    1988 730i M30B30
    1982 323/6 M20B23
    1980 316
    1984 GPZ550

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    baton rouge, loserana
    Posts
    6,922

    Default

    it may just need some lube on the tracks that the glass slides in and the track on the bottom of the glass that the regulator slides in, if it has not been used in a while, any light oil will do for now

    Quote Originally Posted by nsbone_1988_520i
    Winfred,
    I managed to drill the rivet, and get the motor to run again. And now i probably know why it was rivetted, because it would probably get in window's way when winding down.

    but my problem now, the motor won't wind down the window after it came down about 1 inch, unless push down by force on the window. Is there any alignment i need to do?
    all america wants is cold beer warm cat and a place to take a poop with a door on it

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    9,249

    Default

    some more info on this
    Todor's BMW DIY page

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