Rear Window problem
 

On my wife's '02 X5, she told me that today, while sitting in vehicle with key in on position but not running, she heard weird noise from rear area and then became aware that left rear window had gone down on its own. It went back up with master control, but soon after it again went down on its own. When she got home, I checked its function, and found that I could duplicate the problem with engine running or off with ignition in on/aux position. The first time I tried to roll it back up, it stopped about half way, and went back down. Next time it went almost all the way up, then stopped and went down. After that, it went up OK the rest of the tries. I thought it was a one time glitch, until we went out in the vehicle a few hours later. After starting engine, the window started making short bump type noises, and it went down a bit with each bump until it was all the way open. I used the button to raise it with no problem, but it again started to make the noise and lower it self. When I raised it again, I set the rear window lock button on the master controller to on, and the window didn't go down by itself the rest of the day.

I did a few searches on this, and I didn't find any one with the exact same problem. Most window problems seem to be related to the regulator failing in one way or another. I have replaced the plastic clips on both front windows over the last few years, but not sure if the rears work the same. Since the problem seems to stop when the rear window lock is engaged, I am guessing it isn't a control or switch problem, but not sure.

Any thoughts?

If the master control lock keep the window up, the problem is a bad switch in the rear door. Replace the door switch.

Could be the regulator is binding as the window is going up and the anti-pinch safety feature
is activated.

The "anti-pinch" feature is activated by the pressure switch strip at top of window frame, window will only reverse (open) if strip gets pressure during closing.

To verify what James as suggested just unplug the rear window switch. If the window goes up/down and hold with no problem with the master switch operating only then its definitely a bad window switch. Intermittent contact

Thanks for the replies. After giving it some more thought. I tend to agree that the window control switch on the door is the likely culprit. Also, I forgot to mention that it was raining when the problem first appeared. So, I am thinking that moisture is getting into the switch, and contributing to the intermittent contact being made while power is available to the switch. I will order a new switch next week, and look to see how it is supposed to be protected from moisture when I remove the inside door panel.

Thanks again for the help.

I would bet a hack window regulator repair was done, rip out the vapor barrier and no replacement.

It's possible. We have had it since 2012, but no telling what was done to it prior to us getting it. I'll find out when I open it up. Just waiting for it to stop raining here.

I had that happening for 7 years until I finally got time to remove the switch and clean it well inside.There was a bit of oxidation making a short circuit and rolling the window open.
No need to remove anything but the switch itself.I switched the sides prior to disassembly and the other side window acted the same way,so I knew it was the switch itself.
It such a simple design inside that it's nearly impossible to screw things up while cleaning it up.

Give it a try.

P.s. I had a tiny dehydrated spider inside that switch...go figure how it got there...