How To Repair A Jammed BMW E30 Rear Power Window Motor

by BerserkDroid

Remove the door panel components: unscrew the locking pin, and remove the inner door handle surround piece. Simply slide it back towards the rear of the car and it will unlock, enabling you to remove it. Then remove the power window switch by gently prying it out and detatching it from its connector.

You will only need to remove the screws securing the handle. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PULL IT OFF. I have seen idiot mechanics do that and cause unnecessary damage to the door card.

The next step is to pull the door panel off. Simply grab the panel by the edge and start pulling around the perimeter of the door panel. Using light force, the door panel should come free of the door. Once the lower edge and sides are free, pull up on the panel to release it from the window frame. Take a look at the mounting clips on the top of the frame. This will give you an idea of how the panel fits into the door.

Look at the door; you will see a plastic sheet over the door openings. This sheet is used to keep moisture out of the door. From the bottom front edge, carefully peel this sheet back. Use caution, as you can rip the sheet.

There will be 2 bolts at the top of the power window regulator track, 2 bolts at the bottom, 3 bolts securing the motor itself and 2 bolts attaching the regulator to the window. Disconnect the motor's electrical connector and remove the bolts. Remove the entire regulator assembly by tilting it and sliding it out from the door.

The Regulator assembly.

Remove the bolts on either side of the motor housing, then pull the housing off. Mine was stuck solid so I had to lightly hammer around it for a bit.

On opening the motor the reason why it wasn't working became evident. It was heavily rusted internally, probably from a combination of disuse and condensation.

Use soft grade sandpaper to remove all the rust. Patience here is king.

Then remove the old dry grease and replace it with new grease. DO NOT use a thinner based cleaning solvent when removing old grease as it may damage the plastic rollers.

And that's it. Installation is the opposite of removal.