I saw a picture today of an E39 touring with the E61 rear wiper arm and microswitch for the window but the poster provided no other information. Has anyone explored this? The microswitch is the same on the E46 touring, E91, and E61.
Wade
Why would you want to do this?
Whut’s the micro switch do? And yeah, WHY???
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
All fair questions! The microswitch is the button/handle combo used to open the rear window.
The gains in function are the same as stock however the microswitch is smaller and the wiper has a full cover. I've attached a photo I found in the FB BMW Touring group.
I have all the parts for both setups on order after trying to resolve a very stuck rear wiper pivot only to find the wiper pivot and microswitch on my touring have rust welded themselves together.
Wade
Oh this should be interesting, I just finished rebuilding my entire rear wiper lol.i had to hammer the unholy hell to get the old on out without shattering the glass. Definitely following.
TRPCHGE - '01 740i Black/Black 230k'ish - Power folding mirrors, Mk.IV Nav, 16:9, M-pars, Sport seats, Sport wheel, Steptronic, Euro rear fog switch, 2.50" X-Pipe, Shadowline, E53 4.6is Cluster, Lacewood interior, Chromeline, 3.15, Bilstein B6+H&R Stage II's. - SOLD 06/21
BSKCASE - '98 740il Arctic Silver/Black 175k'ish - Face-lifted, 3" Projectors, Shadowline, 01 Tails, Hydro Trunk, Sunshades, 750il Full interior retrofit, Sport Seats, Steptronic, Face-lift Steering Column, X5 Steering wheel, E53 4.6is Cluster, Euro E66 Piano black/Chrome Grab-handles, Chromeline, Suede Pillars/Headliner, Auto wipers/Lights, Lighted Handles interior/Exterior, Dual battery retrofit.
WIP: Custom Style 42 18x9.5" ET12, 18x10.5" ET8, 3.15 LSD Rear diff.
Everyone always hammers them out. Pain in the butt, plus the anxiety of wasting the glass. The last time I had to do that, some years ago, I drilled it out, then reamed the rest till it all came off nice and clean. No need for all the anxiety!
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
Yes, I started down this road and could not bring myself to do that. Since the microswitch was stuck in the sandwich (even after removing the nut that holds it) I used the Dremel tool chip away al the microswitch and then the offending washer that was rusted in place. It was far gentler on the window and frame than hammering. It took a while but I was able to get everything apart. Of course the wiper pivot is that as a victim of this process.
Having recently seen someone on FB who shattered their rear glass, I did not want to follow down that path.
I have the new wiper pivot and E61 parts so I will give an update after I still them (soon, hopefully).
Wade
Yea I saw that shattered glass post as well lol. When i got that old parts out i anti seized the top nut and washer and greased to pivot shaft so hopefully it wont happen again.
TRPCHGE - '01 740i Black/Black 230k'ish - Power folding mirrors, Mk.IV Nav, 16:9, M-pars, Sport seats, Sport wheel, Steptronic, Euro rear fog switch, 2.50" X-Pipe, Shadowline, E53 4.6is Cluster, Lacewood interior, Chromeline, 3.15, Bilstein B6+H&R Stage II's. - SOLD 06/21
BSKCASE - '98 740il Arctic Silver/Black 175k'ish - Face-lifted, 3" Projectors, Shadowline, 01 Tails, Hydro Trunk, Sunshades, 750il Full interior retrofit, Sport Seats, Steptronic, Face-lift Steering Column, X5 Steering wheel, E53 4.6is Cluster, Euro E66 Piano black/Chrome Grab-handles, Chromeline, Suede Pillars/Headliner, Auto wipers/Lights, Lighted Handles interior/Exterior, Dual battery retrofit.
WIP: Custom Style 42 18x9.5" ET12, 18x10.5" ET8, 3.15 LSD Rear diff.
I will be doing the same on mine.
In regard to the E61 microswitch, after much test fitting and Dremel work it was a no-go. I can only imagine that photo was doctored. There hole for the wiper pivot has to be wider (easily done and then it slid over) but the E61 version is so thick against the glass that in order to get it to work you have to thin the back out so much it doesn't seem stable.
I will be moving forward with the original version microswitch and wiper. Worth a shot though!
Wade
TRPCHGE - '01 740i Black/Black 230k'ish - Power folding mirrors, Mk.IV Nav, 16:9, M-pars, Sport seats, Sport wheel, Steptronic, Euro rear fog switch, 2.50" X-Pipe, Shadowline, E53 4.6is Cluster, Lacewood interior, Chromeline, 3.15, Bilstein B6+H&R Stage II's. - SOLD 06/21
BSKCASE - '98 740il Arctic Silver/Black 175k'ish - Face-lifted, 3" Projectors, Shadowline, 01 Tails, Hydro Trunk, Sunshades, 750il Full interior retrofit, Sport Seats, Steptronic, Face-lift Steering Column, X5 Steering wheel, E53 4.6is Cluster, Euro E66 Piano black/Chrome Grab-handles, Chromeline, Suede Pillars/Headliner, Auto wipers/Lights, Lighted Handles interior/Exterior, Dual battery retrofit.
WIP: Custom Style 42 18x9.5" ET12, 18x10.5" ET8, 3.15 LSD Rear diff.
I had to do this recently to have the auto glass place re-glue the rear glass onto the frame. One of the 4 corners wasn't attached and leaked, probably since new. The amp connector and pins on the amp were rusted together as well, presumably after 20 years of leaking here.
The hammer blows were getting scary, so I ended up drilling out the post and replacing with a nice new one. There was no chance of it coming off any other way. I replaced the cover piece as well which was dirt cheap.
I posted the 3 part numbers I replaced on a thread here somewhere if you need. It was like $120 for all 3.
Damn, I had the switch and cover ordered from Latvia since everywhere else was 140 for the switch itself. Also it was back ordered at the time. i also greased the shaft so it shouldn't rust up again. might just be an annual thing to pull it apart and reapply and inspect it.
TRPCHGE - '01 740i Black/Black 230k'ish - Power folding mirrors, Mk.IV Nav, 16:9, M-pars, Sport seats, Sport wheel, Steptronic, Euro rear fog switch, 2.50" X-Pipe, Shadowline, E53 4.6is Cluster, Lacewood interior, Chromeline, 3.15, Bilstein B6+H&R Stage II's. - SOLD 06/21
BSKCASE - '98 740il Arctic Silver/Black 175k'ish - Face-lifted, 3" Projectors, Shadowline, 01 Tails, Hydro Trunk, Sunshades, 750il Full interior retrofit, Sport Seats, Steptronic, Face-lift Steering Column, X5 Steering wheel, E53 4.6is Cluster, Euro E66 Piano black/Chrome Grab-handles, Chromeline, Suede Pillars/Headliner, Auto wipers/Lights, Lighted Handles interior/Exterior, Dual battery retrofit.
WIP: Custom Style 42 18x9.5" ET12, 18x10.5" ET8, 3.15 LSD Rear diff.
My glass is ungluing from the frame at the bottom center. I will keep an eye on it but I think the glue cannot withstand the elements and vibration after 20 years of use. I used a dremel so I know your pain. It is a scary job but it can be done.
I am thinking the same thing. It is worth it for peace of mind.
Wade
On a couple wagons in the U-pull yards, the rear liftgate glass coming loose is from rust getting under the black mastic used to bond the glass to the frame. The first place I see the separation starting is along the bottom edge.
-Donny
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