Re: E36 window drop/raise failed

Jeff Strickland wrote:
Open the door and operate the latch mechanism manually by using a
screwdriver to mimic the post that it latches on. I think you will
find that you can manipulate the latch with your finger and stimulate
the window into operation. This is a test only, but it means the
latch is dirty and needs to be cleaned, as per my earlier post.

I can't persuade the window to drop/raise by manipulating the latch like
that, but just this morning it unexpectedly worked on its own. Great, now
it's an intermittent problem :-(

Also, it seems that when the window is put all the way up using the normal
switch next to the gear lever, it sometimes stops working - the normal
switch no longer raises/lowers the window, although I can hear a clicking
from near the motor. To make it work again, I have to open the door and
switch on the ignition. Then I can lower the window a fraction, close the
door, and then when I set the (3rd-party) alarm-immobiliser the window is
automatically closed.

Could it have forgotten where the window is? Does it need training somehow?
Could it be that the window position sensors (if any) have gone flaky?

It's too dark in the evenings at this time of year to do anything fiddly
like taking out the door latch, so it's going to have to wait till Saturday
morning to be cleaned.

I live within thirty minutes walking distance of a specialist BMW
dismantlers, so swapping parts at random is a possibility although I realise
that's not always the best way of solving these things.

Andrew


.