Is My Window Regulator Ready to Go?
 

So, am I driving on of NJ's famously bumpy roads yesterday, my driver's side window decides to roll down by itself. I rolled it back up, and it has not happened again. I know one saying around here is that "You're not a true X5 owner until you've had the window regulator go out." Is that a sign that my regulator is about to go on the fritz? I know many of you have experienced this. So, is this a sign? Is this how it starts? Or... could a bump on the road cause this? When the regulator goes out, does it do it constantly, or intermittently?

thanks, guysl

Juan

When both of mine went I heard what sounded like the loud pop of a cable snapping. Depending on where the mechanism fails, it is possible for you to still have some window control. Especially in the front, where there are two guide rails.

hmmmm.... OK. I heard no popping sound at all... the window just rolled down by itself. I'll keep an eye on it.

thanks!

Juan

Juan: no window reg xpert here, but have Never had a window just slide down in channel by itself...hmmm, could be that reg deal creeping in. Bumpy roads in Joisey?! You're making that stuff up!

Have a safe run back to SC on Monday. BR,md
PS: did you take the X5 or theCEO's X3?

Did it roll down as if someone had pressed the down button on the window switch, or did it "fall" down? If is went down as if someone had pressed the down button then I'd bet it's not the window regulator and more of an electrical glitch.

Juan, keep a close eye on it. If it just falls by itself, get it replaced. Mine fell while I was at work one day. Lucky for me my window shade was up and it was a sunny day. My Service advisor and my tech even waited for me after the dealership was about to close...............Phil

just change your window lifter , it will do the job . it did happen to me . :thumbup:

Jeff, when the regulator goes out, is it possible to pull the window up by hand (depending if you can get enough of a grasp on the glass of course) so that you could tape it up or are you really screwed? I am thinking of running around with some duct tape in my trunk! No kidding.... :tsk:

Yes, that's doable. If you can get your fingers on it you can pull it up manually and try to secure it so it doesn't drop.

When my first one failed I happened to be 300 miles from home shopping for lighting for the house we were building in Michigan - and of course it was snowing so I couldn't drive home with it open. The window was too far down to get any kind of bite on it. Fortunately I was able to reach TripleX5 via cell phone and he provided some quick tips on removing the door panel. Using some tools I borrowed from the lighting store, I was able to get the door panel removed enough to get my hands in there and push the window up to where it could be pulled up from above. Like you suggested, I taped it into position until I could get back home and get a replacement regulator installed.

Sorry it took me so long to respond. I was on the road all day. (And, yes, I am back home, after a 10.5 hour drive from Joisy.) The window rolled down as though someone had pressed the down button. It went all the way down. I saw that and said, "What the heck?" and simply pressed the up button and went back up. It has not happened since, but I am keeping my eye on it.

Juan