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Thread: Touring, removing the rear window microswitch?

  1. #1
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    Touring, removing the rear window microswitch?

    i'm replacing the rear glass switch since it's gone dead, but will sometimes randomly activate after very rainy days due to shorting

    anyway i tore apart the inner trim section, all the way down to the wiper arm linkage, but i cannot separate the microswitch from the inside portion? it's like they're fused together by some invisible fastener i cannot find


    IMG_20180518_192515.jpg
    IMG_20180518_192507.jpg






    there's an old post on bimmerfest showing this exact procedure and it looks like it just pops off...but mine doesn't? what gives?


    http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...1&postcount=23
    Looking for an e39 Touring black carpet set, including the rear cargo cubbies and side sections!
    ALSO looking for 540i 6speed manual transmission sets (2001+ pedals with switches, driveshaft, gearbox), for the 6speed swap! Probably not for a while....

    GN92489
    540i msport touring; jet black on grey
    Progress Thread (general)
    Progress thread (touring specific)


  2. #2
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    Ok, They over engineered this part. I spent a few mins looking but found NOTHING in the TIS LINK: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...ody-equipment/

    No idea how to help on this one other than to see if the center shaft that goes through the center is frozen on the inner metal part. WD-40, tap on the switch body - left & right, as it appears the center of the switch is metal and see what happens. It must be all the salt spray you get up there in the Rust Belt.
    Last edited by StephenVA; 05-19-2018 at 09:31 AM.
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  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by StephenVA View Post
    Ok, They over engineered this part. I spent a few mins looking but found NOTHING in the TIS LINK: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...ody-equipment/

    No idea how to help on this one other than to see if the center shaft that goes through the center is frozen on the inner metal part. WD-40, tap on the switch body - left & right, as it appears the center of the switch is metal and see what happens. It must be all the salt spray you get up there in the Rust Belt.
    This ^^^. The centre shaft that goes through the center of the micro switch are fused together. Been there done that. Douse it in penetrating oil and let it soak, you’ll also have to leverage and pry the switch away from the glass, the new switch should come with a new gasket if memory serves me right so don’t worry about ruining the old gasket.
    In my case all of the above wasn’t enough and I had to exercise some percussion engineering on the thing. I hit the top of the shaft as if I were trying to push it through the glass. Eventually the corrosive bond broke free and I got it out.

  4. #4
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    So i uh
    i got a little angry at it last night, and the milwaukee dremmel came out, and plastic got cut

    IMG_20180518_221226.jpg





    The plastic didn't survive, i didn't want it to





    IMG_20180518_222147.jpg



    And now i'm seriously considering doing....this...Which is probably a terrible idea, and will shatter the glass when it breaks the shaft free



    IMG_20180518_223040.jpg





    So instead, i'm going to cut the edge of the metal sleeve in a segmented fasion and bend it up, so i can pass the shaft through the hole, and i'm going to just buy a new wiper pivot arm (part number #61627067893) for $100
    Looking for an e39 Touring black carpet set, including the rear cargo cubbies and side sections!
    ALSO looking for 540i 6speed manual transmission sets (2001+ pedals with switches, driveshaft, gearbox), for the 6speed swap! Probably not for a while....

    GN92489
    540i msport touring; jet black on grey
    Progress Thread (general)
    Progress thread (touring specific)


  5. #5
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    Sometimes you are better off just walking away. Soak it with P B Blasters, crack a beer and try it again in the morning. Tomorrow is a new day. Good luck.

  6. #6
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    so, left it alone soaking in pb blaster for like a full 24 hours
    came back and it was still very seized but the plastic of the microswitchpretty much disintegrated around it, yanked it out without much effort
    and thankfully with the hole in the glass is just wide enough for the wiper arm pivot + microswitch sleeve to pass through it
    but now i need to drop $150 on a new wiper arm pivot :/
    slathering the new microswitch sleeve in copper anti seize. you're welcome, next-owner
    Looking for an e39 Touring black carpet set, including the rear cargo cubbies and side sections!
    ALSO looking for 540i 6speed manual transmission sets (2001+ pedals with switches, driveshaft, gearbox), for the 6speed swap! Probably not for a while....

    GN92489
    540i msport touring; jet black on grey
    Progress Thread (general)
    Progress thread (touring specific)


  7. #7
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by joekitch View Post
    but now i need to drop $150 on a new wiper arm pivot :/
    Yep. Spazzing out and tearing stuff up because it didn't come apart right away is always a great idea.

    I mean, some guys might step away, give it time, think about alternate non-stupid methods , but hey, "JUST EFF IT ALL UP AND DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES LATER!" is the manly way to go. Why use your brain when you can just make a total mess of things instead?
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
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  8. #8
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    because i did let it soak and step away
    for several hours
    and then for a day
    and then for another day
    it was incredibly, incredibly seized
    i even tried using that jaw bearing pulley on it when it was off the car, literally bent the lip of the sleeve instead of popping it out
    but it's fine since the microswitch was getting replaced regardless, and i think the only way to get that sleeve off is to cut into it from the sides, and peel it off, which will damage the wiper arm pivot shaft anyway

    but yes, GG, i'm sure you can get it off with magic and a stern talking to from that very nice armchair over there
    Looking for an e39 Touring black carpet set, including the rear cargo cubbies and side sections!
    ALSO looking for 540i 6speed manual transmission sets (2001+ pedals with switches, driveshaft, gearbox), for the 6speed swap! Probably not for a while....

    GN92489
    540i msport touring; jet black on grey
    Progress Thread (general)
    Progress thread (touring specific)


  9. #9
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    It is only a replaceable part. Replace and move on. 1st world challenges are not that big of a deal. Trust me on this thought, There will be more issues a coming as our beloved daily driver E39s age out of existence. This is why I own three, one garage queen, one semi garage queen (mostly) and the daily driver/dry day car along with a few others.
    Current Garage Highlights
    2003 525iT TiSilver
    2002 M5 TiSilver
    1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)

    Former Garage Highlights
    2005 X5 4.8is
    2004 325iTs (2x)
    1973 Pantera L
    1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
    1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
    1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
    1969 Road Runner 383
    1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green

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