Hi, sorry for so many questions...im in the middle of making final decision now..whether to pay $340 that dealer just quoted or to follow DY Instructions. Could others that did it themselves please elaborate on how easy it is to do, and approx how long it takes. Keep in mind I am not that mechanically inclined. also, how do i know 100% its the regulator and not motor? I dont want to buy the regulator and then put in new one and find it still doesnt work...is there some way to tell its regulator and not motor?
thanks

If you have the rear sunshades and are not that mechanically inclined then you may be better off having a professional do it for you.

Given your description, I highly doubt it's the motor. But there's no way to know until you take off the door panel and inspect the regulator.

:goodluck:

I wanted to remove my door panel to check out my speakers to get them upgraded. Anyone know of a good way to remove the panel? The rear sunshade is a bugger to get out so that I can remove the panel. I read about a clip but it does not describe where the clip is. I see there is a small flat insert closest to the front door edge that you can press in. I have pressed and pulled and still can't get it to release.

If I get it I will post instructions because the one posted here and anywhere else is the front only.

The grinding noise sounds like the cable and window is not on track. Where the cable is connected to the plastic guides sounds broken and you are hearing the cable grind up and down.

If the regulator generally goes out you won't hear much of a noise.

Good luck

See the very bottom of this article for the rear window variation - http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/e...nt-bmw-x5.html

Have read that. Top of unit meaning what and where?

I understand the top of the shade unit and I have mentioned the flat push area inside the unit at one end. I have pushed this many times and still can't get it to release. The DIY article is good but lacks a picture of where to push the release tension clip.

Ace - I have done this and the first time it will take you a couple of hours to do this - take you time and remember where everything goes. Once you've done it one time, it will only take you about 30 minutes if you have to do it again. The symptons you are describing is the regulator, not the motor. I had a bad motor and bought a regulator which did not fix the problem - ended up having to buy a new motor. My window never stopped completely - it was just real slow and when it did stop, I could hit the button again and it would continue. Everyone that has said their windows stopped had a regulator issue.

The instructions on this site have been great thus far, so review them and if it looks like something you can handle, go for it!!

To give you some incentive, by using the great information on this site, this past 4-day weekend I installed a custom sub and amp AND Angel Eyes!!!!

Good Luck!!!

this is exact same thing happend to my mom's X5 this morning. The window had froze over night and when she put it down it wouldn't come back up. I heard the same crackling sound you described when attempting to operate the window. I was wondering what the problem turned out to be and how much it cost. Thanks

Adam