I have treid searching the forums but can't find anything on how relatively easy/hard replacing the window electric motors is. From reading Bentley, it apppears a bit complicated. Has anyone here done this and if so how touchy/time-consuming is it?
Thanks in advance,
Steve

 

there is a tutorial on how to remove your door panels here

http://www.miniguide.org/

once the panels are off, then you should have access to the motors. I have not done it but from the looks of it there is nothing left to remove for access after you get the panels off

 

My windshield wiper motor died a few months back. I was asking the same questions. I say don't even try, I gave in to the dealer and shoveled out $600 for parts and labor (if anyone asks for much more than that go to a different dealer) If you want to know exactly how to do it contact Grassroots Garage on this website. He told me to call him so he can explain to me why not to do this job myself. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

He didn't ask about windshield wiper motors. he asked about window motors

 

Planeguy,
I have had the panels off, so that's no problem. I reread the Bentley manual and I think I got put off by the window adjustment instructions. I think the motor r/r itself will be relatively straightforward (famous last words). Now to not get too taken for a new set of disposable motors. From the looks of them, some of my kids' $12 toys have better electrics, but oh well, such is the soul of an English car. Good to know that BMW didn't change THAT aspect of the car.
steve

 

You have to remove the outer trim piece, window and regulator, then remove the motor from the regulator. You'll need a spanner to release and adjust the window. It is not bad, but it it may frustrate you to adjust the window, especially without suction cups or the spanner.

 

Never tried on the MINI, but I added pwer windows to my wife's Jeep (she kept breaking her fingernails )and it was not too bad. I imagine the MINI is more complicated, but with a helper to hold the widow up it should be doable.

 

can you get the window off the door?
if you don't you will have to remove the window by pulling off the trim piece on the outside of the door and releasing/loosening the tabs that hold the window glass to the regulator.

once you have the window glass off all you have to do is remove the tweeter and the 3 bolts that hold the motor, theres also one bolt on the bottom of the door for the regulator.

unplug the window motor and pull back/out the whole piece with the regulator and motor. you then have 5 torx screws total to get the motor off and then you have to carefully pry the regulator and motor apart so that you don't let loose all the wire for the regulator.

good luck.
if you need more help pm me your phone number and i can try to walk you thru it.

 

0. mark the bottom of the glass inside and out with crayon to simplify lining things back up in the end.

1. You don't need the spanner wrench: The center of the "spanner bolt" is a size 5 allen head.

2. you have to get the window down some to get the spanners out: I did this by completely taking the rails loose and kicking in the bottoms to lower the whole thing enough to get the big gear things holding the window on to clear the door frame (mine was stuck all the way up). If I were doing it again I would try to get the four bolts that hold the metal shell of the electric motor off with everything in place and pull out the motor shaft (I had to do this once it was out anyhow to get the regulator to move so I could get the one motor to rail bolt out.

3. You can get the front gear thingy loose if you take the mirror off (also a size 5 allen just turn it in toward the window to reveal the bolts.

4. The spanner bolts have a ridge on them to keep them in place so once they are loose and "floppy" in their holes just pull them some and they pop out

5. re-aligning the window was not hard.

Would I do it again? Yeah, but I'm cheap. Would I do it for someone else? Sure but your going to pay for how long it took me to do mine not how long it takes to do your (at least two cases of New Castle).

 

About how long did it take you? My motor didn't die, something else in there did. (A metal cable, it seems like, but not sure exactly what gave.) So I'll have to basically take it out, re-align and tighten everything, then reinstall. I WANT to do it myself, to get my hands dirty.

Thanks!
Mike.

 

Just did my driver's side (60k 03 S) & thought I'd share a couple notes. I followed (mostly) the instructions in the Bentley manual - Could this thing be more vague? Ugh!

Anyways, I was nervous about separating the motor assy. from the regulator, as the manual says to use a special tool to keep the cable doohickey from "flying apart". What I found is that the hub the cable wraps around is merely floating in there, and when you separate the motor from regulator, the cable spool wants to stay on the motor instead of in it's pocket. Make sure you keep the spool in the pocket when you pry the assembly apart, or hilarity (from an onlooker's perspective) may ensue.

Putting the new motor on the regulator is a ***** as the motor teeth are difficult to mesh into the hub socket. A little grease on both was helpful, as was bumping the window switch whilst pressing the parts together.

One other thing - be sure you support the motor well when installing the screws that hold it against the door & put a little dab of grease on them - makes for musch easier turning.

Peace - Jeff

ps - thanks to those who posted above - especially rough68fish! The allen wrench comment helped immensely!

 

I'm looking to replace the window motor on my mini. I was searching on some bmw sites and the motors look very similar to the mini. They are about half the price. Do you guys know which one might work?

 

revamping this thread. gunna do mine here in the next week or so. Anyone else carry this motor other than the dealership?

 

yes, most any part store that specializes in BMW/ mini would have the parts.
But.....
if you hear a click inside the door when you hit the switch to roll down the window, you DO NOT NEED the motor and regulator replaced.
the track has gotten gummed up.
remove door panel with a pry tool and a #25 torx.
remove the door speaker with a phillups screwdriver.
now put your hand inside the hole of speaker, have a hammer in your hand.
have another person hit the up switch while you give the long part on the bottom of the white round part a good whack (not too hard). cycle the switches and repeat a few times to be sure you get it right.
turn the key off, turn key on to reset it. should work fine.
once you get the window down-spray inside the black cap plug on bottom. spray inside the rails with WD-40, my repair guy says don't use anything but the WD-40, he has been fixing these for years, as long as you hear the click, it'll work.
replace speaker, replace door panel-pops on pretty easily if you start on side nearest front, then top.

 

yep it clicks...the whacking the door under the tweeter above the handle makes it work too but only for like a day. so ill try this thanks

 

I know the original poster is long gone, but I found this in anticipation I may need it in the future.
http://www.z50ak1.com/mini/default.htm

 

Just did this repair and it worked like a charm The door panel removal instructions from miniquide.org were very helpful also.

 

Ah, I'm glad I found this thread. I am hearing/feeling a "click" when operating the driver's side window switch, but the window, she no move! For me, this problem started happening perhaps two months ago. The first couple times it happened, I was able to get things working again by banging and pulling down on the top of the window. That doesn't seem to be working this time around. It's good and stuck.

I'll try the whacking-with-a-hammer fix next. Did I read correctly that one can get things working (temporarily) by banging on the door panel near the tweeter, without having to disassemble anything?

 

its worth a shot.
but taking the door interior apart doesn't take so long and sounds more complicated than it is.
sounds kinda more like the window is off of the track rather than the track or motor is gummed up.

 

Its wier i did the bang on the door trick like once a week for a month or so, didnt use it for 2 months, and then hit it one last time; since the last time its been working for almost 3 months???? weird.....

 

Hey BEAVR: Thanks for your procedures on how to get the window unstuck. It worked, and so far so good. It's a good idea to keep the rails clean. Pretty dirty in there. Thanks again, very helpful community!!! 03 Mini w/ power windows.

Now, who can help me with my auto lock on passenger door. Does not go up or down with dashboard switch or door key entry???