Quote:
Originally Posted by Danno54
Thanks for the responses.
I did initially suspect a bad regulator but if it was a bad regulator wouldn't the lights dim and the motor grunt when I operate the switch in the up position? As if the motor is trying but the window mechanism is binding? If it were the switch wouldn't one of the two switches still work? What are the odds that both the driver side switch and passenger side switch both went bad? In any case I guess there is no way to get that sucker out when the window is stuck all the way down other than cutting the cable. Is that correct? Maybe I'll take the connector off the motor and see if I can put 12V directly to it.
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Yes, there is ALWAYS another way.
Applying 12V directly to the motor will hopefully work, and will be a useful troubleshooting step as well. Applying 12V one way will send the window down (I know, already pegged); reversing polarity should try to send it up, while also bypassing all other items.
BTW - AndrewWynn's comment about polarity, etc., saying that if current flows one way, etc. is exactly how I think about this situation. You'll find out when you take it apart, but it seems almost impossible that the motor could be the cause of this, at a basic physics level.
2 switches failing at the same time is very unlikely, but could it be that one failed and was not noticed for a while until the second one finally failed?
Yes, some of this data doesn't make sense now, but I expect it will all make sense when you're done. I agree with your doubts about the regulator, but also (having repaired all 4 regulators on my x5 in the 3 years since I've had it) believe what the others are saying.
If the regulator has failed (most likely the regulator clip / "slider" piece of stamped steel + hard plastic that connects the cable to the "window clips" that connect to the glass), applying upward voltage should make things hum + bind, so you'll then need to help it move by wiggling things, pulling up on the glass, etc.
Good luck.