Power Window Stopped Working

Blue One · 09-10-2011, 06:00 PM

We've had our X3 for about 2 months. Everything was going great.... then the front passenger side power window stopped working. Took the car back to the dealer on 08-30-11. The service advisor says the part is on national back order so he expects it to take about one month before the part comes in... I was able to grab hold of the window (while my wife pushed the window button) and help it back to the "almost" closed position. Anyone else have a similar situation?

Want the thrill · 09-10-2011, 06:43 PM

Between this forum and the "other" forum, a LOT of people have had this happen. One person wrote in that their dealer knew of 20+ X3's just in their area that were waiting for the window regulator part to come in. Pathetic!!!

MikeBimmer · 09-10-2011, 07:05 PM

Yeah, run a search for it. Happened to me, luckily they got the part in a few days. If it helps no issue with the window since (a few others though...).

Lotus7 · 09-10-2011, 07:56 PM

Window regulators on late model BMW's have been consistently unreliable. The really strange thing seems to be that the one that almost always fails on the X3 is the passenger side. In the last 3 months, there have been 8 or 9 cases on this list only, and as best as I can recall all except one have been the front passenger side regulator, The one other was a rear passenger side unit.

I'm wondering if it's a case of passengers rapidly reversing the window (going from "up" to "down") without stopping for a second, which is causing the regulator cables to jump off the idler wheels and jam? As we all know, BMW DRIVERS would never do such a thing!

Just a thought.

MikeBimmer · 09-10-2011, 08:31 PM

That wasn't the case on mine - no passenger and window was down for a drive home for 15-20' before I true to put it back up... Good theory though!

Lotus7 · 09-10-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBimmer

That wasn't the case on mine - no passenger ...

Likely story - Bet that's what you told your wife!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

JBG · 09-11-2011, 05:01 AM

I waited 4 weeks for the window regulator (ordered from Germany). Of course this problem was an anomaly according to the dealer. And you should have heard the explanation for the cold-start surging that I've experienced. I'm so weary of terrible service and deliberate untruths from my dealer. All delivered with a very courteous yet condescending tone with a wry smile. I still love my X3, but the dealership experience continues to be maddening. Reminds me of my experience with Audi that had been forgotten after escapes to Lexus and Infiniti. I've had 3 previous BMW's and don't mind the unintended consequences of buying a new model - just don't treat me like I've wet my pants in 3rd grade. I feel better now.

Powerrunner · 09-11-2011, 09:19 PM

So does anyone know is the replacement is the same or did BMW change the design so we won't have to replace every so often?

Lotus7 · 09-11-2011, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powerrunner

So does anyone know is the replacement is the same or did BMW change the design so we won't have to replace every so often?

Why should BMW change the design? As JBG mentioned "...this problem was an anomaly according to the dealer.". Improving the part would acknowledge that there's a problem.

Seriously, it's probably an issue with quality control, not the original design, since the vast majority of owners have not seen the problem. (Famous last words - now I'm afraid to operate my windows)

Blue One · 09-14-2011, 09:46 AM

Thanks for all the feedback. At least now I know my window issue is not an isolated case. btw, great forum.

sfax · 09-14-2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBG

I waited 4 weeks for the window regulator (ordered from Germany). Of course this problem was an anomaly according to the dealer. And you should have heard the explanation for the cold-start surging that I've experienced. I'm so weary of terrible service and deliberate untruths from my dealer. All delivered with a very courteous yet condescending tone with a wry smile. I still love my X3, but the dealership experience continues to be maddening. Reminds me of my experience with Audi that had been forgotten after escapes to Lexus and Infiniti. I've had 3 previous BMW's and don't mind the unintended consequences of buying a new model - just don't treat me like I've wet my pants in 3rd grade. I feel better now.

We need an "I'm a XBimmer member. Don't

me" badge to wear on visits to the dealership. Might save us some time and them so embarrassment.

The thing is that some of these nonsensical answers will do the trick on the majority of punters

gareth12468 · 09-14-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfax

We need an "I'm a XBimmer member. Don't

me" badge to wear on visits to the dealership. Might save us some time and them so embarrassment.

The thing is that some of these nonsensical answers will do the trick on the majority of punters

That's a great idea......

MikeBimmer · 09-17-2011, 10:09 AM

Blue One/JBG - you all will want to watch out for floorboard leaks in the passenger footwell after your regulator is installed. I can't prove it but two of us have had front seat passenger regulators replaced and then had a leak in the bottom front edge of the vapor barrier. I don't know if it's linked together, but you might want to keep an eye out for it when it rains. The leak comes from UNDER the floormat, not from above. The 'Water Leaks' thread covers the troubleshooting of that aspect of the issue.

09-10-2011, 06:00 PM	#1
Blue One New Member 3 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2011 Blue Water Metallic 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sunny So. Calif. iTrader: (0)	Power Window Stopped Working We've had our X3 for about 2 months. Everything was going great.... then the front passenger side power window stopped working. Took the car back to the dealer on 08-30-11. The service advisor says the part is on national back order so he expects it to take about one month before the part comes in... I was able to grab hold of the window (while my wife pushed the window button) and help it back to the "almost" closed position. Anyone else have a similar situation?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-10-2011, 06:43 PM	#2
Want the thrill Lieutenant Colonel 330 Rep 1,560 Posts Drives: 2022 X4M40i, retired ‘11 X3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: MI iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 X4M40i [10.00]	Between this forum and the "other" forum, a LOT of people have had this happen. One person wrote in that their dealer knew of 20+ X3's just in their area that were waiting for the window regulator part to come in. Pathetic!!! Last edited by Want the thrill; 09-10-2011 at 08:57 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-10-2011, 07:05 PM	#3
MikeBimmer Private 3 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: DC Metro Area iTrader: (0)	Yeah, run a search for it. Happened to me, luckily they got the part in a few days. If it helps no issue with the window since (a few others though...). __________________ '11 X3 28i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-10-2011, 07:56 PM	#4
Lotus7 Major 66 Rep 1,041 Posts Drives: xxxx Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: xxxx iTrader: (0)	Window regulators on late model BMW's have been consistently unreliable. The really strange thing seems to be that the one that almost always fails on the X3 is the passenger side. In the last 3 months, there have been 8 or 9 cases on this list only, and as best as I can recall all except one have been the front passenger side regulator, The one other was a rear passenger side unit. I'm wondering if it's a case of passengers rapidly reversing the window (going from "up" to "down") without stopping for a second, which is causing the regulator cables to jump off the idler wheels and jam? As we all know, BMW DRIVERS would never do such a thing! Just a thought. Last edited by Lotus7; 09-10-2011 at 10:03 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-10-2011, 08:31 PM	#5
MikeBimmer Private 3 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: DC Metro Area iTrader: (0)	That wasn't the case on mine - no passenger and window was down for a drive home for 15-20' before I true to put it back up... Good theory though! __________________ '11 X3 28i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-11-2011, 05:01 AM	#7
JBG Enlisted Member 24 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2012X3 35i, 2018 X3 30i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I waited 4 weeks for the window regulator (ordered from Germany). Of course this problem was an anomaly according to the dealer. And you should have heard the explanation for the cold-start surging that I've experienced. I'm so weary of terrible service and deliberate untruths from my dealer. All delivered with a very courteous yet condescending tone with a wry smile. I still love my X3, but the dealership experience continues to be maddening. Reminds me of my experience with Audi that had been forgotten after escapes to Lexus and Infiniti. I've had 3 previous BMW's and don't mind the unintended consequences of buying a new model - just don't treat me like I've wet my pants in 3rd grade. I feel better now. __________________ 2022 iX Aventurin. 2019 G05 40i M Sport 2018 X3 30i sold 2012 X3 35i M Sport sold 1988 745i Executive (gray market) sold 1979 528i sold. 1985 733i sold
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-11-2011, 09:19 PM	#8
Powerrunner Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 275 Posts Drives: BMW X3 35i 2011 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Naperville iTrader: (0)	So does anyone know is the replacement is the same or did BMW change the design so we won't have to replace every so often?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-14-2011, 09:46 AM	#10
Blue One New Member 3 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2011 Blue Water Metallic 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sunny So. Calif. iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the feedback. At least now I know my window issue is not an isolated case. btw, great forum.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-17-2011, 10:09 AM	#13
MikeBimmer Private 3 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: DC Metro Area iTrader: (0)	Watch for leaks post regulator install... Blue One/JBG - you all will want to watch out for floorboard leaks in the passenger footwell after your regulator is installed. I can't prove it but two of us have had front seat passenger regulators replaced and then had a leak in the bottom front edge of the vapor barrier. I don't know if it's linked together, but you might want to keep an eye out for it when it rains. The leak comes from UNDER the floormat, not from above. The 'Water Leaks' thread covers the troubleshooting of that aspect of the issue.
	Appreciate 0 Quote