05 X3 with slow moving front drivers side window.
 

My drivers side window started going up very slow. Putting the window down is fine. I found this thread on the X5 forum ...

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ving-slow.html


Does the X3 exhibit the same issues as the X5? Is a new regulator in my future ? I plan on opening the door up tonight and see how difficult of a job it is. I prefer to do this stuff myself. We have a electric motor repair place nearby, so if the motor is the issue, I will take it to them to see if it's cheaper to fix than it is to replace.

Any other thoughts ?

I'd try silicone spray first before pulling it apart.

Try this, grab the back of the window while it is half way down and pull up. If it goes up about an inch or so the rear clip on the regulator has let go. If it feels tight (which you can check against the other side front window) then I'd use the silicone spray to prevent it from failing soon.

But odds are, it is the rear clip of the regulator.

I will give both a shot tonight.

Thanks !

UPDATE

I checked the back of the window by pulling up on it gently (it only moved 1-2 millimeters). I checked the passenger side front window which is working fine and it has the same amount of play in it.

One other side note that I neglected to mention (sorry folks). When the window is down all the way, and I put it up, it will go about 3/4 (or a bit more) up at normal speed, then just stop. Of the 10 or so times I raised/lowered the window in the parking lot at work, it stopped about 8 or 9 times. I release the window button and try again and the window goes the rest of the way up without incident (but at a much slower speed. It's the last 1/4 where the speed of the window going up is in question.

UPDATE # 2

Sprayed Silicone on all the moving parts last night with no noticeable difference in window speed. It looks like it will be a PITA to get the motor out of there without removing EVERYTHING. I called the electric motor repair place and they told me I would need to bring it in as they have little to no experience with door window motors from a Bimmer. I'll post and update if my motor dies and I take it to them for repair ...

If it is only slow at the very top of travel, it wouldn't be the motor windings... seems like a waste of money. And it isn't the moving parts that need the silicone spray, it's the inside of the rear vertical window channel... the felt flocking can wear off the rubber causing drag, spraying the silicone in there lubes it to alleviate the drag.

We had the same issue, window raising very slowly the last few inches, on the front passenger window. They ended up replacing the window lifter. That was back in March 2006.

Guys, I have the following issue with my rear left window: yesterday I wanted to lift it, it came up and at the end I heard very loud "CLAP". Since that moment window goes down, but it will not go up (you can lift it by hand like it is unhooked). Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Need a new regulator. There should be a DIY in the tips and tricks page.

Weasel, do I need a new regulator or just the dog driver (part number # 51353448645)? BTW, does anyone have a picture of the dog driver?
Thanks

It's going to end up being the regulator itself. The part that the window bolts to breaks loose from the cable usually, or the plastic pulley the motor drives get messed up and cause the cable to unwind and wrap around it.

If you want to make sure, just pull the panel off and give it a look. Be careful not to damage the foam vapor barrier, it needs to be carefully removed and reinstalled to prevent water ingress when it rains.

Thanks! I will take the panel off and snap some pics.

Guys, I have good news: I was able to repair the rear window - it works like a charm now.
A DIY can be found at http://www.kenza.biz/Rear-window-repair.doc . Please let me know if anyone have questions.