So the driver side window motor died while up on my 2004 MC40. I've take the door panel off and see that there are two steel pinwheel type fasteners that hold the glass tight. It seems that the glass must come out in order to replace the motor. Problem is when the window is up there isn't enough space up there to entirely back off the pinwheels so that the window can be removed. Any thoughts? What am I missing?

 

You can probably remove the mounting screws for the regulator and then pivot each of the rails inward so that the window glass moves down a bit until you have clearance to remove them. That, or try just loosening the mounting bolts for the regulator and that alone might open up some room.

 

youtube is your friend. Lots of video's on this. Window has to be down a little.

 

You can turn the pinwheels with a long screwdriver while tapping it with a hammer. Once it's loose the window glass simply pulls up and out. Just be careful with the glass.

 

YouTube is the best. ModMINI has a video on changing out a window regulator.

ECS tuning has a tool for removing those white nylon nuts if you are interested. $27usd.

 

Ok so I was able to remove the whole convoluted assembly from the door and had simply purchase a new regulator motor. the regulator is mounted to the cable assembly via five screws of which only two are assessable. The other three are hidden behind the rail. Any ideas how it comes off? German Engineering? I don't know? Thanks

 

Ok it's all junk that came out of there. Anybody have a decent recommendation as to which aftermarket motor and regulator might be a good choice. Huge range of pricing out there!

 

There is a guy in the UK that has a life-hack for this repair. Assuming all your cables and bolts are in working order, you just have to unscrew the motor housing, carefully pull it free, clean the carbon dust off of the copper spindle and properly reassemble it to make the motor work again. Then put everything back in the door and you're good to go... "How to fix MINI Cooper Window Motor" by Graham Tracey & little Ted (name of Youtoob channel.) I have yet to tackle this same problem on my d'side window as I am extremely busy with work, but I'm sure this will fix it for another 10-15 years or so.

 

Check out www.partsgeek.com for regulator/motors. I've used them for both windows on my R53. Pricing is good, quality is good, window/motor operation is good.

 

I did the regulator motor a decade ago with tool and motor ordered from ECS Tuning, but my memory is fuzzy on the process.

Pelican Parts has a tutorial here.

 

Replacing the regulator with motor attached is definitely the way to go. Attempting to remove and replace the motor on your existing regulator is daunting due to the coil spring's tendency to escape the motor housing. Once that happens, you're done. Spend the little bit of extra cash and order the entire assembly.

 

Ok so I replaced the whole regulator with a new motor. Pretty straight forward. Wouldn't you know it but the polarity of the motor is reversed. On the window switch, up means down and visa versa. Probably more annoying is that the auto window adjust that should be occurring at the top once the door is closed happens at the bottom when the window is fully open. Any fix for this? Possibly flip the electrical connection to the motor in the plastic orientation holder 180?

 

There’s a thread floating around somewhere that addresses the reversed polarity issue.

 

This is a common problem with aftermarket window motors. Undo the four screws holding the armature to the white plastic assembly and simply turn the armature 180 degrees, put the screws back in and your problem is fixed.

 

Yup did that am all set. Everything is up and running perfectly. Thanks for everyone's help

 

I did the drivers side - complete assembly. I got a used oe from a dismantler. A shallow 5mm Allen key helped. Using the tool would have been best. It’s been ok since I did it