Window not going all the way up - clicking sound.

[leurven]

Hey all,
I have a weird issue with my passenger side window on my '86 325es with power windows. the window goes down and up just fine but it won't go all the way up. When about 1/4" from the window seal the track starts clicking. I have the panel off and can see the motor continue to spin while the track clicks.
First question is: how do I get the motor out so I can inspect everything and remove the track.
Second: Anyone heard of this before and know a simple fix?

Thanks all!

John Sharp

[Eric Giles]

The window regulator is bad and needs to be replaced.

[bimmerboy12]

sounds to me like the gears are stripped at that location.

[Toms73NovaSS]

There are two gears in the regulator, a plastic one that rides on the motor screw and a metal one on the opposite side of the shaft that drives the "spring" wire. My guess is that the one that rides on the spring wire is jumping. It is possible that it has moved away from the spring wire. There are 4 screws that hold a backing plate to the regulator that keeps it against the track, maybe has moved away a bit and is slipping.

The best way to get at it is to remove the 2 screws that hold the window to the track, pull window out from the top. Then remove 4 bolts and 3 nuts and remove the whole regulator assembly.

[leurven]

Thanks all for your help. I got it off and indeed did see the regular was missing teeth. I decided to go with a brand new one from the dealer as finding a local one with any decent mileage wasn't going so well and they were all upwards of $40.