window regulator stuck all the way down - cannot access one motor screw

[mjpapajon]

98 e36 m3 coupe
Driver side window started doing the partial up/ down thang........removed regulator and motor.

Power to motor and motor turns, moves 1/8" and stops; reverse switch and same.

Problem is the regulator / motor is stuck in the position that the regulator blocks one of the 3 screws holding the motor in place. (trying to separate motor from regulator to check bushing / parts between motor and regulator.

Any ideas on how to turn motor enough to move regulator out of the way?

Thanks for any insights.

[bmwdirtracer]

Remember that your time is valuable.

I'm not sure I'm correctly envisioning your issue, but how about:

1) remove the glass
2) unbolt every regulator bolt, the window rail bolts, and whatever else you CAN reach.

3) If, truly, there's something that still refuses to move to a position you can access it: Cut it - destroy it - and take it out in pieces.

Sometimes there's just no way to follow the directions.

Replace motor and regulator and "sliding pieces", spend tons of time adjusting it all, then glue the crap door panel pieces back together with epoxy, and pray you never have to take apart another E36 door.

[dworthy]

+1

Classic signs of a window getting jammed on a E-36, most often it will be the plastic sliders.

[mjpapajon]

Sorry - took a while to see your reply Chris - See you moved to the other side of the country......

Almost retired so I'm becoming more comfortable with spending stupid amounts of time doing stupid repairs to the cars..hahaha

Was able to drill the regulator arm right where the last bolt was and access it. Not in the Bentleys for sure.

Turns out the whole issue with the window was more than likely the door switch - that damn little plastic part that gets worn.........fawk

After cleaning up the rails, replacing the plastic sliders and lubing everything up it works like a champ. You may find it crazy, this is all for a drift car.........and here in the PNW some days it is kinda nice to have those windows up.

[dworthy]

Glad you were able to get it fixed, but yeah it does tend to rain a bit out there and at times on the track I am sure you want to stay dry.

[bmwdirtracer]

Ah, winter in Portland....33 degrees and raining.

[dworthy]

Ah, winter in Portland....33 degrees and raining.

I do remember a T-Shirt that as a kid I had that was like this:

Oregon has 2 seasons
Warm summer rain
Cold winter rain

[ross1]

"Replace motor and regulator and "sliding pieces", spend tons of time adjusting it all, then glue the crap door panel pieces back together with epoxy, and pray you never have to take apart another E36 door."


@ OP There are two plastic sliders, # 2 in the diagram, in the horizontal channel attached to the bottom of the glass. Chances are these are your problem. The regulator arms attach to them with a ball that is received into the(probably broken) plastic slider and a clip that allegedly holds the whole works together. The regulator arms can be pried/ popped out of the sliders once clips removed or slider broken and the glass raised. This I suspect will allow your regulator to operate.
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E36-Cabrio/USA/M3_3.2-S52/1997/browse/vehicle_trim/door_window_lifting_mechanism_front/

As mentioned above the E36 regulators can be time consuming to adjust. If your trouble is the sliders try replacing only them and not messing with adjustments unless the glass is binding or not aligned correctly.
Dirt in the felt channels and window tint film cause undue stress on these rather delicate parts. Clean the channels and if tint film cut it back so not riding in the channel.

[mjpapajon]

"Replace motor and regulator and "sliding pieces", spend tons of time adjusting it all, then glue the crap door panel pieces back together with epoxy, and pray you never have to take apart another E36 door."


@ OP There are two plastic sliders, # 2 in the diagram, in the horizontal channel attached to the bottom of the glass. Chances are these are your problem. The regulator arms attach to them with a ball that is received into the(probably broken) plastic slider and a clip that allegedly holds the whole works together. The regulator arms can be pried/ popped out of the sliders once clips removed or slider broken and the glass raised. This I suspect will allow your regulator to operate.
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E36-Cabrio/USA/M3_3.2-S52/1997/browse/vehicle_trim/door_window_lifting_mechanism_front/

As mentioned above the E36 regulators can be time consuming to adjust. If your trouble is the sliders try replacing only them and not messing with adjustments unless the glass is binding or not aligned correctly.
Dirt in the felt channels and window tint film cause undue stress on these rather delicate parts. Clean the channels and if tint film cut it back so not riding in the channel.

Should have been more clear with the issue........photos are worth a thousand words. I have since made the repair and all works smoothly.

The issue was the regulator was stuck just past the end of the sprocket* or arm teeth on the regulator. Evidently it had traveled too far. Motor would try but it could not move the regulator arm and the arm was blocking the last screw to separate the motor from the regulator. I drilled the arm directly above the screw and was able to remove it, moved the arm down and put it all back together.

I have attached a photo showing where the hole was drilled. In hindsight it would have been better to take a photo with the regulator and motor out showing how the screw was blocked..........

And as far as the door panel goes, yes all the plastic bits on the back were either loose or completely torn loose. Simple scuff of both surfaces with flapper disk, clean with acetone and glue and clamp with Locktite adhesive. Better than new - for now.

Appreciate the insights and help from all - afraid I'm getting sucked in a little deeper as I just picked up a cherry 2000 328 coupe on a deal I could not pass up. Oh well, so much for my free time.

e36 regulator.jpg