I apologize, but this is more window issues.

[JSVice]

I've been hesitant to post about my window issues, because they've been done to death. I've read every thread I can on it that I would think pertains to me.

I have the classic "window moves 2 inches at a time" issue. Sometimes, after I first start the car, the window will go all the way up or down a couple of times, but then it's back to the same problem. I took the mechanism out of the door and lubed everything up, although it didn't feel stiff. While I had the motor and regulator outside of the door, I checked the magnetic sensor that can sometimes move out of place and cause problems. It was fine. I proceeded to plug the motor back into the harness while still out of the door. It worked perfectly. All the way up and down, without issue. So, I thought maybe greasing the rails is what helped. I put it all back together and videoed the result. It worked great twice, and then was back to more of the same. The only thing I can possible imagine is that something is misaligned inside and causing the motor to work too hard while mounted. Any ideas or suggestions are most definitely appreciated. Below is the link to the video.

View: https://youtu.be/psfjQa-Znk4

 

[mrscalex]

You haven’t mentioned the sliders. They are the usual cause of persistent issues. Lubing is a waste of time if they are knackered.

 

[mrscalex]

Also, pre-facelift cars have a habit of popping spot welds on the doors under the regulator torque. But I’d replace the sliders first. They are about £2-3 from dealer.

 

[JSVice]

You haven’t mentioned the sliders. They are the usual cause of persistent issues. Lubing is a waste of time if they are knackered.

The sliders are the white plastic pieces held in by hairpin clips, no? When I reinstalled the window mechanism, I didn't put the window glass back. How could those matter?

 

[t-tony]

So you're saying the mechanism sticks or stops without a glass attached to the lifting mechanism?

Tony.

 

[mrscalex]

The sliders are the white plastic pieces held in by hairpin clips, no? When I reinstalled the window mechanism, I didn't put the window glass back. How could those matter?

Not clear from your text. Possibly the spot weld issue then.

 

[JSVice]

Not clear from your text. Possibly the spot weld issue then.

Sorry. It was clear in the attached video, so I didn't think to mention it.

 

[JSVice]

So you're saying the mechanism sticks or stops without a glass attached to the lifting mechanism?

Tony.

That is correct. If it helps, watch the video and you'll see what happens. Also, something noteworthy I should have mentioned, is that the door seems to move when the window goes into the fully upright position. I hesitate to say that it "flexes" but that might be an accurate description

 

[mrscalex]

That is correct. If it helps, watch the video and you'll see what happens. Also, something noteworthy I should have mentioned, is that the door seems to move when the window goes into the fully upright position. I hesitate to say that it "flexes" but that might be an accurate description

That makes it more likely than not the weld has failed. You need to try and see where it's flexing. Then see if you can move anything by hand. There are 3 mounting points (from memory) for the regulator. And 2 of them can normally fail.

 

[JSVice]

The welds are all intact. Honestly, what it feels like, is that the motor isn't wanting to stop when it's fully up. As if it's not sensing the increased load which should signal it to quit. I put up another video for anyone interested. You can see the side mirror move as well as the sheet metal inside the door.

View: https://youtu.be/uDbNLkedeKI

 

[t-tony]

My initial thought is that the motor is not firmly mounted or that it is correctly located into the lift mechanism, where by it is try to force the lifter higher than it should go. It is a long time since I had my Z3 doors stripped down, or even one at the Shed but that's where I would start looking, at the lifter and motor mountings (for security) and any elongation of mounting holes where they may have been left loose previously and worn the holes.

Tony.

 

[JSVice]

My initial thought is that the motor is not firmly mounted or that it is correctly located into the lift mechanism, where by it is try to force the lifter higher than it should go. It is a long time since I had my Z3 doors stripped down, or even one at the Shed but that's where I would start looking, at the lifter and motor mountings (for security) and any elongation of mounting holes where they may have been left loose previously and worn the holes.

Tony.

Mounts are good and the motor is solidly attached. I think that the motor not being mounted on the lifter correctly is a possibility. I'll take it out again. 3rd or 4th time today at least!

 

[JSVice]

Took the motor out, detached it from everything, plugged it in, and it was still raising and lowering in small increments. This is different from before when it was out and raising and lowering completely. I said screw it and will simply live with it as is.