Possible window regulator issue

[Snowflake87]

Hello everyone,

So when I bought my e30 the passenger window did not work. I happened to have a frozen window motor in the trunk which I rebuilt and installed. The window motor now works and the window will roll down. When I go to roll it up it will start and then get "hung up" on the portion of the window that is toward the B-pillar. There is play in the window. As long as I help it up the window will go up. Is this a sign of a bad window regulator? Sorry in advance if this is a stupid question.

[boogle2]

Are you sure it is hanging up on the weather stripping? I've fixed two of my early model regulators now, and found out both times it's not the regulators. Both times it was tired motors, and bad electrical connections in the door harness. Unplug the white connector in the door jam and look at the pins. If there are some corroded/black pins, you'll need to clean those up.

I tired screwing with the regulator tracks and all that bullshit but it did nothing. New motors on both sides and cleaning those pin contacts. Better than new. Window almost moves too fast now.


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[Snowflake87]

My connectors are good. I've also cleaned up my switches. Like I said, I just rebuilt the motor and it works good as new. The window will fly down. There is just a lot of play in the window. and it gets hung up so when I use my hand to help it/hold it straight it will go up just fine.

[boogle2]

Not sure then. Still doesn't sound quite like a regulator. Maybe check that the top bolt and bracket holding the vertical section of the reg are still in place. Make sure the roller on the rear of the regulator is properly fitted into the track on the window. Other than that not sure what else to tell you.


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[Snowflake87]

Alright I'll check that out. thanks!

[turbo55]

I had what sounds like the exact same issue on my '87 e30 that has the push-pull cable mechanism thing (note at some point in '88 the window mechanism was changed to a scissor, I don't know of this would apply to it as well). Anyway, there are two aluminum brackets that hold the bottom of the window. My rear bracket was broken and was quasi-holding with the PO's solution- gorilla tape, which kept making the window jam on the b-pillar on the way up. The bracket doesn't come separately, so I just made one out of some scrap steel - free, and works perfectly. To make one out of steel, all you need to do is make the number four shape (open four, not crossed) and have the holes lined up right. I welded mine, but probably could have used some screws. Make sure to paint it so that it doesn't rust inside the door. I think I have some pictures of it, I'll check tomorrow and can post them here if I do.

But yeah, check if your rear window bracket that holds the bottom of the window is broken.

[Snowflake87]

Please do. I am envisioning this in my head but some photographs would really help. What you are saying sounds exactly like the issue I am going through.

[turbo55]

No prob, will do tomorrow night when I get on the computer where I have the pics.

[Snowflake87]

So I removed the door card and went in again. I found that the window bracket that was towards the rear of the window had a loose bolt. I tightened that up but the window still has play in it. The window regulator is still secured. BTW these are the old style regulators.

[turbo55]

Hmm in that case nevermind about the broken bracket. Sounds like either
(a) your rear bracket needs to be adjusted
(b) the thing the bracket is secured to is loose

I would guess its (a). I would think that when it was loose it got out of position. Here is a picture of how my homemade steel bracket (black) sits with respect to the thing that is attached to the vertical rail. The position of those two bolts is adjustable in the slots. The way I adjusted it when putting it in was getting the window roughly level by eye and tightening the bolts, putting the window almost the way up (like a half an inch away from the top), loosening the bolts, then moving the window with my hand until the half inch gap was even all the way around the top edge, then tightening the bolts.

[Snowflake87]

Hmm in that case nevermind about the broken bracket. Sounds like either
(a) your rear bracket needs to be adjusted
(b) the thing the bracket is secured to is loose

I would guess its (a). I would think that when it was loose it got out of position. Here is a picture of how my homemade steel bracket (black) sits with respect to the thing that is attached to the vertical rail. The position of those two bolts is adjustable in the slots. The way I adjusted it when putting it in was getting the window roughly level by eye and tightening the bolts, putting the window almost the way up (like a half an inch away from the top), loosening the bolts, then moving the window with my hand until the half inch gap was even all the way around the top edge, then tightening the bolts.

I think you're right. Thanks a lot for the pic. One of my stupid mistakes was not rolling the window down to retighten the bracket so this should make my life a lot easier haha. Thanks again for all your help. I will give it another go around. Hopefully you don't have to hear from me again.

[turbo55]

No problem at all, good luck!