Hi Everyone - I'm a proud owner of an MC 2003 from South Africa...
I searched this forum for an answer to my driver's door window problem which was "stuck"; not working at all. I found postings that recommended pushing the toggle switch in before toggling it - that didn't work, but the banging on the door panel near the speaker did! I had to bang it with the ball of my fist about 6 times and voila! I was pressing the toggle downwards at the same time.
My MC being out of warranty means I have to fix the problem myself if or when it happens again, and what if the banging trick doesn't work anymore?...Any suggestions besides a new motor? I'm wondering if taking off the door panel and cleaning the motor cable connector terminals might help? Anyone got any experience/s with this?

Thanks!

COKO
Pepper White Mini Cooper

 

If banging on the door worked? Take door apart and clean the electrical connections and make sure the grounds are clean. Sounds as if the connections are loose or eroded somewhat. If it happens again, might be a motor and you will have already been in the door and will make it easier.

 

I've been banging my door for over a year, sometimes weeks between using the "fist". There was another post about brushes needing to be cleaned but I haven't opened up the door yet.

 

yeah, there was a post about that earlier, i just reciently had to replace mine because of a cable break. can you slide your window up and down manually by griping the window? If you can that means the motor or cables are shot, you can order another assembly from mini i think and i'll post up the instructions to replace it as well as open up the door panel to check it out. Good luck!

 

I look forward to your instructions as both of my windows stopped working this summer and I am out of warranty.

Ann

 

Thanks for the responses. The window is working again fine so far , but if it gets stuck again I'm going to take off the door card (panel) and try cleaning terminals on the motor and checking for a good earth, as suggested.... I could not move the window by hand at all before, when it was stuck, but as I said all is OK again for now anyway! I see there is no provision for manual operation, like there is for the sun roof ? - not that I have one!

Will be looking forward to the instructions (for when the time comes)...

Thanks again

Coko
2003PWMC

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of BMW window regulator issues, something that's dogged them for decades. I have had both of mine replaced--twice--under warranty (with only 23k on my 05 MCS). it's a problem they just cant seem to solve.

And it goes all the way to the top: the last time I had mine replaced, a gentleman with a $100K M6 was getting his replaced--at only 4k miles!

 

Funny - I've owned 4 different BMW's over the years and I never had problems with the windows!?
Talking to friends, we reckon applying some grease on the regulator cable will help, especially if the window jerks or judders a bit when being raised, a problem that does happen sometimes....

Coko
2003 PWMC

 

Since this is a DC motor, it could be that it just needs new brushes. When they get worn down far enough, they just don't make contact anymore. Since these motors operate every time you open or close the door, it seems they would have a shorter life than normal.

I also have an '03, and both sides have been replaced twice now, this last time I was out of warranty (just over 50k miles, but 6 months past the exp date) but MINI paid for them anyway.

Next time one quits, I'll take it apart myself and see what I can learn.........

 

Yes - I agree - Good point! The windows do their " dance" every time you open or close the door, plus the fact that I open and close the windows, especially the drivers side quite a lot, but not so much when using the aircon...
I wonder how difficult, or easy(!) changing brushes are, there are places here where you can have them made if the Stealer or Parts shops can't supply. BTW I noticed when checking for fuse failure (which wasn't the problem), that there are two 30 amp fuses, one per window right at the top of the fuse panel/box, inside my car at the passenger side "kick" panel (in the trunk on the S, I think) and these fuses are supplied by a 50 amp fuse in the engine compartment fuse panel....just for info.

Coko
2003PWMC

 

And I think U should play lottery or powerball, because that's some good luck!

 

Well I don't have much luck at the local Casino!

And I don't suppose the locally suplied Bosch motors to the BMW assembly plant here (near Pretoria) are any different to those in US Beemers ?

But as far as I know all Mini Coopers here in South Africa are from the UK,(right hand drive). Anyway....the windows are working fine again as of now, but I guess there's more to come......

Coko
2003PWMC

 

I was super skeptical, but viola! Banging on the door just above the speaker fixed the problem. Hit it kind of hard; don't be shy. Thank you!

 

You're welcome!
I have to bang on the door every 4 to 5 months, it works each time, so far. I reckon the motor brushes are wearing out and lots of carbon deposit is clogging the works, so when I bang it shifts or loosens up the carbon deposit !?
Coko

 

I will have to give this a try! I am a bit skeptical but my drivers side window just stopped working last week. It always seemed to to struggle going up and now it simply wont go up OR down. I will try beatin my car at lunch and see if this fixes my window

 

Give the door panel a sharp blow with the back of your hand/fist just above the speaker; may need two or three blows! The window should work again! You should also see the window lower itself very slightly every time you open the door, and raise itself again when you close it. If it does that, it will also fully open and close the window perfectly!

Good Luck!
Coko

 

I hate to admit it, but it works. My D/S window quit working today and I gave the door a good smack above the speaker (on the advice of this forum) and it works now. That is not encouraging.

I had this problem before and had to get the P/S window motor replaced. Hopefully this can tide me over for a little while...

 

i had same problem and the guy at the dealer actually just gave it a good wack while holding down toggle and it worked but it still frequently needs a wack for it to work