windows

[tripulldee]

It was 90 degrees out today and when I got out of work for my lunch break and rolled down all the windows before i got in my car.....cranked on the a/c and then went to roll all the windows back up and i hear a grinding noise in the rear passenger window....so i'm thinking wtf my window's broken! Window can't roll up and i'm guessing there is something wrong with the regulator since i can hear it grinding and the window isn't moving. I had something similar happen before to my front passenger side window as the window could move up and down, but there was a scratching noise (at the time i thought it was maybe some sand or a pebble stuck in the door and it was scratching against the window). This is the 2nd window that its happened to in as many years, at this rate the driver side window will break next summer. Anyways, just wondering if anyone else is having the same problems as me or if knows that this is a persistent problem for e46's. And btw, lucky for me car is still covered under warranty

 

[ILuvBMW]

Hmmmm... I've never heard of that happenning before. When it happenned the first time, was it also really hot?

 

[ResidentSlacker]

If I remember I think there is a problem with the window regulators and if you're still covered under warranty the dealer should fix it. Are there scrapes on the window, because it happened on my '99 328i...it scraped that blue factory UV stuff off the window

 

[codex57]

yeah, window regulator. I think those and the moonroof breaking are the most common problems on the E46.

 

[tripulldee]

Hmmmm... I've never heard of that happenning before. When it happenned the first time, was it also really hot?

No, the first time that it happened it was in the winter, and i didn't end up getting it fixed till the summer after....

 

[BEEMIN]

You don't mention what kind of car you have, but I have a 323i and I did have the same exact thing happen. From what I was told at the dealership, this is a common problem in the 323s.

The dealership fixed it at no cost, but I don't think that's standard (my car was out of warranty).

I did not experience any problem with the glass itself. It did happen during a 90+ degree day (but that's most days in AZ) - I had opened all the windows to air the car out for some passengers and then one of the rears wouldn't roll back up.

 

[Gib-McFragger]

yeah, window regulator. I think those and the moonroof breaking are the most common problems on the E46.

Yep

The regulators are the most common failure on E46's, I have changed a TON of them under warranty. The new ones are updated and don't seem to fail quite as frequently. I have also found that the nuts retaining the regulator to the door come loose or fall off altogether, causing the window to clunk going up and down.

 

[Bimmerman100]

i had the same problem but mine was just off track. the window that is. and my parents benz had the problem then once when they were driving... the window just fell straight down! out of nowhere it just wouldnt go up and got stuck down in the door! turns out the cord that pulls the window broke!

 

[mscoins]

The regulators are the most common failure on E46's.....The new ones are updated and don't seem to fail quite as frequently.

Can I presume the 2004 330Ci's have updated ones?