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Thread: Z3 Window Switch in center console

  1. #1
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    Z3 Window Switch in center console

    Hey Guys.
    I recently bought a 2000 BMW Z3 automatic. The other day the passenger side window switch fell through the console. I've researched quite a bit on the internet about replacing it with not much helpful results. If it was a stick shift it would be much easier to get to it seems but that's not what I have. I'm mainly concerned with getting into the console without breaking anything.
    Anyone have any experience or suggestions about this for an automatic tranny?
    Thanks,

  2. #2
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    Thank you.

  5. #5
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    If it fell through the hole, the little lip that keeps the button at the correct height broke. Previous owner of my car broke this too, and I can tell you that two-component-epoxy or any other glue will not last. Only solution is to either buy a new/used center console (very expensive), or mount the switch to be above the hole (cheap but ugly).

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    I fastened mine with epoxy last year and have had no issues with it so far.

  7. #7
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    I used 2 part epoxy putty to repair a similar case where the console had cracked at the corner of the switch. Used the putty to underneath to old the crack closed.
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    If you want to devote a little bit of effort to it, you could make a mask like I did for this guy's car...













    More of the construction sequence can be seen here: http://spcarsplus.com/piwigo/index.p.../302/start-480

    I have no idea where that car is today, but if it's still on the road, I can promise you that those switches haven't fallen back into the console (and that the differential isn't dragging on the road)!

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by StevenN View Post
    ... 2000 BMW Z3 automatic... window switch fell through the console... concerned with getting into the console without breaking anything.
    Anyone have any experience or suggestions about this for an automatic tranny?... ,
    Here's an old thread.
    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...astic-surround
    Apparently the older knobs pull off, and the later knobs have a screw that must be removed first. I have not seen specific information on removing the surround.
    BMW MOA 696, BMW CCA 1405

  10. #10
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    Thanks for all of the great help.

  11. #11
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    OK, I finally got around to working on the window switch a few weeks ago; turned out it was really simple. I hooked my finger in the bottom of the shifter slot in the plastic surround and lifted straight up, came up with no problem. I turned it sideways and had easy access to the switch that had fell thru and didn't have to take the knob off. I unplugged the switch and fed the wire back up thru the switch hole and re plugged it into the switch. I cleaned the sides of the switch and hole with alcohol then put a little dab of JB Plastic Weld stuff for automotive plastic on the sides and top and bottom INSIDE the hole and then carefully slid the switch back down into the hole to the proper level and let it set up. Looks and works fine now. The main caution is to not let any of the glue get into the switch mechanism.

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