Is this definitely a window regulator problem?
 

I have multiple problems with our 03 E53 that I'm trying to tackle. One of them is a front passenger side window that has all the symptoms of a regulator problem - it goes down easily, but moves up very slowly, and can't make it all the way up without assistance. About two years ago, my wife noticed these symptioms, so I took the panel off, and found the classical regulator problem, in that the plastic clips that attach the regulator to the window had broken. The rest of the regulator appeared to be in good shape, so I secured the ends of the regulator to the metal piece that attaches to the glass with a pair of zip ties, and it has worked fine ever since. Until now, that is.

So, I took the panel off, and my fix is holding - there's no sign of the regulator cable ends tying to work their way free. Also, the cables are where they belong - none have worked their way free of their pulley wheels, and nothing is binding up anywhere. In summary, the regulator visually looks perfect. So, could the problem still be the regulator, or could it be something else? If so, what should I check for? I don't want to throw parts at this thing until I'm pretty sure I'm replacing the right component. Thanks.

Front passenger side door handle won't open door
 

This is the second in a series of post regarding problems on our 03 E53 that have me stumped. As the title says, the front passenger side of our 03 X53 won't open using the outside door handle. It opens fine using the inside door lever. The lock mechanism works fine. So, I took the door panel off, and found a large amount of slack in the cable that attaches the outside door handle to the lock mechanism inside the door:

Attachment 66438

As a result of the slack, the door handle runs out of travel before it can act on the mechanism that unlatches the door. I looked up inside the door while my wife operated the handle, and nothing is disconnected or loose. There's just this weird amount of slack in the cable. Has anyone ever seen anything like this? Thanks in advance.

Don't know why these separate threads ended up in the same one. I'll wait awhile and try to post the second one in a separate new thread.

The cable with the slack makes me think it is broken in the middle. I bet if you grabbed one end, it would come all the way out. They are not adjustable- so if the ends are still attached, the only way to get slack is a broken cable.

The plastic clips that hold the window to the regulator are about $1.50 each at a dealer. They are available for more bucks on Amazon, too. They have a special nut that slips inside, and a bolt. I found those on my X at the bottom of the door cavity. I would get the window properly secured before doing any more troubleshooting. The zip ties will let it wiggle around and I think it would have a greater chance of getting jammed.

as for your door handle, it looks like your latch isn`t springing back properly.

Looks like the door handle assembly is broken.

You can get the Genuine BMW assembly for about half the price online than at the dealer.

As far as the window, my window would not go up without assistance and it turned out to be my window motor. Unfortunately mine was so bad I couldn't even get it to spin the window down so I had to cut the regulator cable, thus me also needing a new regulator.

Thanks for all the replies.

David,

I don't think the door handle cable is broken in the middle, because when my wife pulled the outside handle, I could see the cable tighten. Also, the cable is very stout - it would take a lot to break it in the middle. But I agree that the cable being broken in the middle is the only logical explanation for the slack. I'll try disconnecting it from its lower attachment point, and seeing if it's broken.

Interesting point about the clips that hold the window to the regulator. Any chance you happen to have a part number, and even better, a diagram? I'm trying to picture the parts you're referring to, but I'm not 100% sure which ones they are, and the diagram on realoem.com isn't too clear, at least to me. It definitely seems like the assembly is binding as the window moves up, so maybe the zip ties are allowing too much movement.

puddinboo and joshdub,

Could you guys elaborate on your theories? What makes you think the latch isn't springing back properly, or that the door handle assembly is broken? Thanks.

Here's a screen shot from the parts diagram. The plastic clip is part 7 (shown to the side). The special nut is part 6. The special bolt is part 5. It looks like it is pointing to the pulley, but that's not right - it attaches to the moving parts of the regulator (there are two plastic sliders that the motor moves up and down).

Here's a link that includes a photo: Amazon.com: 2 Genuine BMW Window Regulator Clips for Your BMW E53 X5: Automotive


The clip works like an expanding plastic anchor for drywall - if fits into the hole in the window, and expands when the bolt is tightened, but avoids metal-to-glass contact. I had one vibrate loose, too, so now I use some the weak "removable" locktight on the special nut and bolt.

I have attached a pic of the latch. you need to check the spring on the latch to make sure it didn`t break and where the pivot point is make sure its not rusted , also its a good idea to lube that area up while you have the door panel off.