Changing a rear window motor/regulator/mechanism on convertible 4 series F32/F33/F82/F83

Рет қаралды 21,931

4 жыл бұрын

So the window was only going up and down a centimetre at a time on this car. We had to change the motor as part of the diagnostic and decided to make this video to help anyone else. Good luck

Пікірлер: 106

@Cobra-Hicks Жыл бұрын

Thank you SO much for the video. It was perfect for fixing my daughters 428-i. When I unscrewed the last bottom bolt, I found the body was full of water. Your video stepped me perfectly through removing the window though. Kudos!!

@houseofcars6998 Жыл бұрын

Comments like this make it all worth the while. Thank you 😊

@786TABZz 2 ай бұрын

So did you drain it then change the motor or do you have to change the whole regulator as well?

@iangadget3848 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for the video. My right rear window stopped working this morning with the roof down. The roof wouldn't go up anymore. Thanks to your video, I got the regulator out in about 25 minutes. The traveller had become disconnected because one nut fell off. All the parts were in the bottom of the cavity. It was 4pm on a Friday, so I was in rush to find out if I needed parts. It was also 39 degrees Celsius here in Perth, Western Australia, so now it can wait until the cool of the morning to reassemble it.

@houseofcars6998 5 ай бұрын

Wow that is a hell of situation to be in! Glad this helped! It seems to be a common issue tbh! But glad its sorted and u can enjoy the weather again🙂

@kishos.k2873 Жыл бұрын

Thanks alot, this video helped me. I was unable to put the roof down so seemed impossible to fix it. Tip: What I done was connect the regulator wire to the new motor and it allowed me to put the roof down so I can pull the old one out.

@houseofcars6998 Жыл бұрын

That is a super smart idea! Thanks for sharing buddy

@stephenmountford1881 Жыл бұрын

I have the same issue what was the motor part number

@tank4100 2 ай бұрын

How did you connect the regulator wire to the new motor?

@nastygeezer 2 жыл бұрын

I finally sorted my regulator out! My roof was originally stuck closed. I had to use a actuator test diagnostic machine to open the roof (it ignores the windows.( then cut the regulator wire to drop the window) Thanks for this video. I have a fully working roof which suffered from the water filling up in the quater panel which soaked the motor

@houseofcars6998 2 жыл бұрын

Man that sounds like a mission! Glad you got it sorted though and we live n learn! Hopefully BMW will learn to make a better system going forward aha

@786TABZz 3 ай бұрын

I have the same problem, did you just replace the motor or the whole regulator?

@mccross 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent Video Mate thanks, one lockdown job done!!

@houseofcars6998 4 жыл бұрын

mccross thanks mate glad it helped! What actually happened with yours? Make the most of lockdown ey 😉

@carl94399 Ай бұрын

Great video saved me a fortune superstar

@houseofcars6998 Ай бұрын

@@carl94399 no issues buddy glad it helped!

@macmad6959 3 жыл бұрын

Great video very helpful, I am now on my 3rd window regulator, I wanted to document what I had to do as it’s still very much fresh in my memory. If your roof is stuck up, you will need to get it down, I was sure I got the regulator out before with the roof up, but found it impossible during the latest removal, and that is after even using a dremel to cut away the top section of the regulator, hoping it would pull out, but I have badly scratched my trim, so recommend you follow these tips: Water ingress is the cause of most motor failures, and will cause you having to replace your motor or regulator, so ensure your drainage plug isn’t blocked, you will need to use a 10mm drill bit to drill into the plug, as per the BMW tech bulletin, google search will show you how, preferably on a ramp to access the bottom of the car, Buy a brand new regulator, 3 years ago I got one off a breaking M4, and the motor has clapped out already, pay cheap pay twice, Ensure your inner seals are not perished, and are fitted snug, as this is what stops water ingress in the first place, And likewise your trim is fitting snug, I cut corners, and glued mine on 😮. Now to get the roof down if it’s up or to get it up if it’s down. You need a working motor and a working regulator, remove the motor connector from the bad regulator, you will find enough room to put your hands in and unclip it, after taking screws off top mounting bracket and sliding the regulator to the left slightly, there is a small clip that needs to be pressed in to release the connector. You will need 3 motor mounting screws, part # 51 33 7 185 707, I had to get mine from BMW it’s a stock item, I tried mounting motor on regulator without screws (BE CAREFUL) the motor recoils and kicks back, it hurts 😮 So ensure you screw your new/working motor onto your new/working regulator and place on the back seat, or where the back seat was as it would need to be removed, during removal of door card, put all the windows up,i then put the windows down and held for 5 seconds, and put windows up and held for 5 seconds, this will regulate and initialise the windows and the roof opened 🎉, I did try without attaching the motor to the regulator and the motor continued whining for another 5 seconds, so it won’t meet the parameters required to enable the roof switch to activate. Which is why it needs to be connected to a working regulator. I connected my Autel MK808BT Pro to the OBD2 port, and checked the status of the windows in hot functions, which is a service mode, and windows were all initialised and fully normalised 😊. BMW once told me, when you keep pressing the roof button and the parameters are not met (faulty motor or regulator) the car goes into a fail safe mode, to prevent damage. This can throw a CTM (convertible top module fault) and can be reset and cleared of errors, using the Autel scanner. Hope this information helps people with what is a fantastic car, however sadly with a unique design flaw, inherent from the 3 series convertible. Another tip, when you reinstall the back seat you will find it difficult to get the seat belts through the seats, if you use a dog harness connector, it takes seconds and the seat belt pulls through 😊.

@houseofcars6998 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment glad it helped 🙂

@macmad6959 3 жыл бұрын

@@houseofcars6998 Just to add definitely the only way to remove the regulator from the quarter panel, is to have the roof down, obviously not always possible if the motor or cable has snapped, as in my case, therefore the roof would not operate, but managed to get roof down, and swap out regulator, only small issue is the rear window sits about 2mm lower than previously, I have tried adjusting the regulator bolt but no joy, may need to add 2mm washers between car body and regulator, which at least means I don't need to remove the card, only top trim. Resolved this issue by adjusting the window in situ.

@nastygeezer 2 жыл бұрын

How do you get your roof down with the window being stuck up?

@macmad6959 2 жыл бұрын

I did resolve this issue in adjusting height, by tapping on the window placement cogs and adjusted as I went, window now correct hight and functions as new.

@macmad6959 2 жыл бұрын

@@nastygeezer what window is stuck up, and is it just one window, and what car.

@haseebullah2137 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks it helped me a lot to change on mine

@houseofcars6998 4 жыл бұрын

No probs glad it helped. Surprising how these would need changing already though...

@haseebullah2137 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I have one question please. Can I take the regulator out without doing the roof down. I can see your car roof Is down and regulator came out so easily. My car roof if not going down. When I try to open the roof, my car window goes up (that’s the same window where I want to change the regulator. Wire broken but it still goes up but not down). Is there any way I can do roof down ?. For example by doing window down manually and then unplug the the wire or take out the window fuse ? Thanks

@carlosmoore3164 3 жыл бұрын

@@haseebullah2137 did you find out the answer because I’m in the same boat?

@haseebullah2137 3 жыл бұрын

@@carlosmoore3164 yes it is possible you have to separate the window glass from main regulator. Once the glass is detached, the window regulator will come out Easily even your car top is closed.

@treyla1205 11 ай бұрын

Where can I find the correct part for the right rear window I just need the motor ? Can someone drop a link ?

@davidvanburton8466 8 ай бұрын

omg thats so much work. im gonna leave it to the professional

@KJ-oz8iw 3 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@houseofcars6998 3 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

@nastygeezer 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this video, i have a bmw 4 convertible with the bloody water leaking into the rear quarter panel. I have unplugged the drain holes as they are designed shit. I have noticed that my seat neck warmers have also packed up. After looking at the module which is located under the rear seats it seems that the wires also lead to the rear drivers quarter, will open up this in the next coming days, any ideas on how to open the roof as my window is stuck fully up and will not go down? Many thanks

@houseofcars6998 2 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately i couldnt find a way to put the roof down tbh. Mine was luckily stuck open thats how I got my regulator out.

@bus2themoon875 Жыл бұрын

Anyone needs instruction with convertible top up and window not rolling down. You need to use a diagnostic OBD tablet (I use Autel MqxiCOM mk808) plugs into car OBD port, go through menu to command car to put convertible top on service mode, once in service mode, you can open the convertible using the open button on the car. If top acting weird after replaced the window regulator, then you have to go through the menu to initialise power window regulators. I hope this helps anyone who got a broken window regulator flooded inside the rear quarter panel. Thank you for this instruction video on how to replace the window regulator. 😊

@houseofcars6998 Жыл бұрын

Thanks. Thats great info

@darrenlidhar8981 Жыл бұрын

Hi Bro, Thanks for that as I’m having this issue. I’ve tried to remove the regulator and motor whilst the roof is up and manage to get to the connector and clean it. 2 days later it worked for a couple attempts and stopped so think it could possibly be the motor. What are exact commands you selected? As I need to find someone who can do this. If you’re in the midlands I’m happy to pay you

@qaiserhanif4794 Жыл бұрын

How did you all manage to lower the roof? Have the same problem but impossible to replace with the roof up.

@houseofcars6998 Жыл бұрын

Mine was already down. If you know someone with a good obd tool i’m sure they can put it down

@julietbravo6858 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video, I have tried to do this and am unable to remove the regulator unit, just gets stuck and the video seems to skip that bit of how you get the unit to the point just when the video goes slightly blurred. Can you expand any further? I have the roof up, not able to retract as the busted regulator is not allowing the roof to retract.

@houseofcars6998 4 жыл бұрын

That sounds like a tricky situation! What you might have to do is take it out in 2 parts so the window first and then the regulator mechanism? If you take the vid to about 5:14 you see 2 bolts either side of the white cog at the top of the unit with the cable going through it? If you undo those 2 bolts the window should come out and then the bolts for the regulator unit. I would have thought however the unit should still come out with the roof up. can you not take it out towards the outside of the car?

@julietbravo6858 4 жыл бұрын

@@houseofcars6998 thanks for the quick reply, I cannot get it as far as the bolts to remove the glass, close but not quite. Will try again and so what shennigans I can come up with. Thanks again for the response/suggestions, much appreciated.

@houseofcars6998 4 жыл бұрын

Juliet Bravo no probs i help where i can. There might be holes in the actual body covered by those rubber gromits which allow you to get a socket and extension in when you put the window down far enough. Probably need a play around with the whole thing. If you need anymore help try and get a picture of it all and i’ll try see what we can figure out

@Count.Zer0 2 ай бұрын

gents, F33 owner here. Unfortunately the top needs to be down (open convertible) to extract the window regulator assembly. How can i open the top? My regulator cable is broken: opening the top just makes the motor chew indefinitely...

@houseofcars6998 2 ай бұрын

Unfortunately not sure myself how to force the roof down. Maybe if you can get someone with a computer to put it down that might work?

@danilog79 2 жыл бұрын

So you need to take the rear seat out? How does that come out?

@houseofcars6998 2 жыл бұрын

Hi from memory I believe it does and its very easy you just pull it up from the front

@garrycurrid3297 10 ай бұрын

This is fantastic , My 4 series convertible , I meant to put my drivers door window down bur pressed the rear window , heard a bang from it and rear window would not go down, when pressing the button, it makes the noise as if it is going down but nothing happening, luckily the window is up. when are you available to repair it ( I wish) , would be very great full with your advice.

@houseofcars6998 10 ай бұрын

Hey sorry I’ve moved to Dubai now but i’m guessing if you can hear the motor working the metal wire on the regulator has snapped or something to that effect. Ebay that and you should be fine getting it fitted at a local workshop

@garrycurrid3297 10 ай бұрын

@@houseofcars6998 ,Thank you for your reply, I have a warranty that has agreed to me taking the car to a BMW dealers work shop, they will diagnose the problem and repair, I am positive you have come up with the fault correctly, you definitely know your onions, Thank you Sir.

@houseofcars6998 10 ай бұрын

@@garrycurrid3297 ah great! Thank you buddy and good luck!

@vowbeachbum 3 жыл бұрын

This is considered right rear? I need to order tgis part

@houseofcars6998 3 жыл бұрын

Hi yes thats rear right

@Safsbmwlife 6 ай бұрын

My roof wont go down because window is stuck up, what shoukd i do?

@houseofcars6998 6 ай бұрын

Have the codes read. Its probably FRM module

@anthonymckay6520 2 жыл бұрын

Hi am looking to change the weather seal on the rear of my 420i convertible, would this progress be the same for my part

@houseofcars6998 2 жыл бұрын

Pretty much i would say just depending on exactly which seal it is you need to change

@anthonymckay6520 2 жыл бұрын

@@houseofcars6998 it's the rear weather seal, on the outside of the car, the seal is letting rain in and needs replacing, the rain fills up the wing of the car because the drain plug is badly designed, that needs a quick fix but the main issue for me is preventing the rain from getting in the 1st place, can't find a video anywhere on how to replace the seals

@houseofcars6998 2 жыл бұрын

@@anthonymckay6520 if it’s the deals on the windows then yes you could do this but for the rear seals on the roof mechanism then thats more opening up the roof and things

@houseofcars6998 2 жыл бұрын

And yes for great as these are the roof designs etc can be annoying

@danilog79 2 жыл бұрын

Take the drain plugs out asap

@matthewnorth5592 5 ай бұрын

HI, I have the F33 and a the rear left has failed,. in your video you show the simple act of lifting the top off, I assume the seat comes out first but what did you do to lift the top off after removing the screw? I thought the lower panel came out first and had to abandon the effort but your vid seems to show a different way. could save me a fortune if you can tell me where to go with this part! Cheers

@houseofcars6998 4 ай бұрын

Hi buddy. My roof was already stuck open. I didnt open it. There was someone in the comments who i think managed to do so?

@matthewnorth5592 4 ай бұрын

Thanks@@houseofcars6998 I've seen a couple of posts on the roof, feel the roof will open as the windows half way down and the motor still works, it was more the removal of the top trim to expose teh regulator mounting, need a full E2E of the whole thing haha! time to sell when this is fixed! :)

@jakariyaali4100 11 ай бұрын

Hi there. Video was a great help thank you. I just wanted to ask, you said the motor is quite universal. Have you got a part number for it by any chance? Thank you

@houseofcars6998 11 ай бұрын

Hey i think it might be 7046032 but i would advise checking on real oem Or something

@jakariyaali4100 11 ай бұрын

@@houseofcars6998Thanks mate appreciate the help 👍🏼

@moarbi1 3 ай бұрын

I had the same issue but the hardtop doesn't want to open now, any idea how to manually open it ?

@houseofcars6998 3 ай бұрын

It ended up being my FRM buddy. Didnt find a way to manually open the roof. I dont think you can on these unfortunately

@moarbi1 3 ай бұрын

@@houseofcars6998 thanks I looked everywhere but no luck there is a roof specialist in Surrey uk near me or I may take to BMW but spent all day forced the window out and thought that's what stopped the roof manoeuvre to complete but not the case.

@houseofcars6998 3 ай бұрын

@@moarbi1 have you had the codes read? Maybe google them before spending on repairs

@moarbi1 3 ай бұрын

@@houseofcars6998 no codes red but the rear right window won't go down and the roof was working after that couple of times today got the regulator part thinking to fix it but the roof decided not to open and eventually started giving the latch closed properly error. I just home if the window regulator is replaced it won't affect the roof.i think there is a way an emergency roof procedure opening so I will read through this but not sure.

@houseofcars6998 3 ай бұрын

If you find a way please let us know as many people have had the same sort of issue. I would also suggest strongly to get a diagnostic done on it

@AlexHoleczy Жыл бұрын

The top have to be open????

@houseofcars6998 Жыл бұрын

You can do this with top up i think but will be quite tough to do then

@gethypop1194 2 жыл бұрын

Can I ask why you were changing this as you showed it working? I’m in a bit of a tight spot as you showed this being done with the roof down. I can’t get the roof down because the window won’t go down when I operate the roof. How can I get the roof down to test or change this regulator or motor please?

@houseofcars6998 2 жыл бұрын

Hi pal, I actually done this cos my roof was stuck open and the regulator on the other side wasnt working too but this was all due to the frm. Anyways I’m not sure of the exact procedure but I believe you can lift the boot lid and slowly push the roof back manually but thats just from vague memory. I’ve sold the car now so I cant demonstrate unfortunately. However I think you might be able to get the window down manually by turning the regulator from the middle sort of nut. If you look at the vid at 4:53 its the bit in the centre of the 3 bolts holding the regulator. I’m hoping they made a hole where you can access it from?

@786TABZz 3 ай бұрын

How much was the motor for the regulator? And do you have a part number for the motor? Thanks

@houseofcars6998 3 ай бұрын

It was cheap like £15. Its the same for a number of cars. I think mine came from a 7 series. Dont have part number anymore though

@786TABZz 3 ай бұрын

@@houseofcars6998Thanks mate, sorry to ask you another question but do you think the front windows regulators motor will be fit in the back? Found one for £15. my rear passenger side ones water damaged hopefully replacing the motor will do the job rather than the whole regulator 😓

@houseofcars6998 3 ай бұрын

@@786TABZz hey buddy just did a quick search on Ebay and it seems like they should work. Just check the pictures for the one you’re buying matches to what i’ve got in the vid

@786TABZz 3 ай бұрын

@@houseofcars6998Thank you, Your video helped out a ton mate 👍

@houseofcars6998 3 ай бұрын

@@786TABZz appreciated buddy. Best of luck

@CFEnt 4 жыл бұрын

Would you mind doing my car

@55smokey 2 жыл бұрын

HI, Great vid! Did this solve the issue with the window only moving up and down a centimetre at a time? mine has just started doing this.

@houseofcars6998 2 жыл бұрын

Hi unfortunately not it turned out to be my frm. Have you got any codes coming up?

@55smokey 2 жыл бұрын

@@houseofcars6998 no codes showing on the car, I will look to get to a garage and see if they can look for any, did you have to replace the FRM? I would anticipate I have the same problem as you because it was working fine yesterday

@houseofcars6998 2 жыл бұрын

@@55smokey exact same thing happened with me! I took it to bmw and they diagnosed it in the end to be frm, although initially they wanted to replace the regulator which I told them I had already done. I’m guessing you should be able to get it replaced though?

@houseofcars6998 2 жыл бұрын

@@55smokey repaired i meant sorry.

@55smokey 2 жыл бұрын

@@houseofcars6998 I hope so, I will take it to my local autospark and see what he comes up with. I had to change the window motor on the other side due to water but this side is dry so assume it doesn't need replacing. thanks for your help!!