slow window when rolling up

we350z · #1 11-16-2008, 02:17 AM

is it motor or regulator or both? My driver side front window is looking very sluggish when i roll it up. it also make a very crude cracking sound which make me think the clip is loose and breaking is imminent.

Dannyell · #2 11-16-2008, 02:24 AM

Mine just gave up today...perfect timing since i could not open door from outside and anyways had to get the thing open... but I had same sluggish driver's door when rolling up the window

we350z · #3 11-19-2008, 08:34 PM

so is it motor or regulator?

Dannyell · #4 11-19-2008, 08:46 PM

From what I understand the motor is part of the window regulator when you buy the part...anyone should correct me if I am wrong..
I have yet to order mine...but all I know about is the window reg.

Quote:

Originally Posted by we350z

so is it motor or regulator?

Weasel · #5 11-19-2008, 10:17 PM

The motor is separate from the regulator, gets swapped over. And I would put money on the regulator being the culprit as I've never changed a weak or failing window motor in years!

It is usually the rear mounting clip that fails on the regulator, making it slow going up by pushing against the rear guide. Do this check to confirm the regulator is broken as I described... with the window partially up, grab the back of it and lift. You will likely get about 1 inch of movement. Compare that to the other side that's working right and you will feel the difference.

we350z · #6 11-19-2008, 10:27 PM

i think you are probably right about this. I have replaced the window clips on this side and the rear one was jerry rigged (screwed) into the plastic clip. Someone improvised a little. I replaced it with the proper (crappy) clip but the not-so tight fit had caused the sliding part on the regulator to have a little play in it. I'm wondering if this is creating some resistance and preventing the window from moving up and down smoothely. I have a replacement regulator already so I will prob go ahead and just replace the fucker. I just dread removing the stupid door panel for the 1000000th time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by weasel56

The motor is separate from the regulator, gets swapped over. And I would put money on the regulator being the culprit as I've never changed a weak or failing window motor in years!

It is usually the rear mounting clip that fails on the regulator, making it slow going up by pushing against the rear guide. Do this check to confirm the regulator is broken as I described... with the window partially up, grab the back of it and lift. You will likely get about 1 inch of movement. Compare that to the other side that's working right and you will feel the difference.

Weasel · #7 11-20-2008, 12:30 AM

I often wonder why BMW didn't make the regulator clips/slides out of metal, rather than the plastic part that inevitable fails on numerous cars! It is the same fail point on E46, E83, E53, E39, etc.

X5Dawg · #8 11-20-2008, 10:26 AM

First off, the motor and regulator ARE 2 different items - you will not get a motor if you order the regulator.

Second, I will have to disagree with Weasel - I had a slow driver's window a few year's ago and purchased a regulator, but it ended up being the motor. Window would always go up and down, but going up it was really slow. From a lot of what I have read on here, when a regulator quits, it quits - window won't move at all.

With that said, knock on wood, after almost 150K miles I have yet to replace a window regulator!!!!

Weasel · #9 11-20-2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X5Dawg

First off, the motor and regulator ARE 2 different items - you will not get a motor if you order the regulator.

Second, I will have to disagree with Weasel - I had a slow driver's window a few year's ago and purchased a regulator, but it ended up being the motor. Window would always go up and down, but going up it was really slow. From a lot of what I have read on here, when a regulator quits, it quits - window won't move at all.

With that said, knock on wood, after almost 150K miles I have yet to replace a window regulator!!!!

Well I guess I can cal it 9 out of 10 then

As the motor is a very rare fail, and the regulator is a verry common one. And the rear most clip of the regulator is what fails first 99% of the time, causing the window to roll up slow... But nothing beats being with the car for a proper diagnosis

we350z · #10 11-20-2008, 04:25 PM

i know the motor and regulator are two differnt things as i have replaced my rear driver side one recently. And yes it failed and the window dropped completely down. I transferred the existing motor on the old one onto a new aftermarket regulator problem solved. What you are describing does sound like my motor since i have these exact symptoms.so maybe i should just get a motor too just don't really wanna blow cash on shit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by X5Dawg

First off, the motor and regulator ARE 2 different items - you will not get a motor if you order the regulator.

Second, I will have to disagree with Weasel - I had a slow driver's window a few year's ago and purchased a regulator, but it ended up being the motor. Window would always go up and down, but going up it was really slow. From a lot of what I have read on here, when a regulator quits, it quits - window won't move at all.

With that said, knock on wood, after almost 150K miles I have yet to replace a window regulator!!!!