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51 2-2
I Door Windows 1
This repair group covers door glass, window regulator and
power window motor repair information.
CA U JIO&
All E39 models are equipped with side-impact airbags in the
front doors. Some models are also equipped with
airbags in
the rear doors. Be sure to read the
airbag warnings and cau-
tions in 721
Airbag System (SRS).
Electric window switch replacement is covered in 612
Switches.
The windshield, rear window, fixed rear doorglass, and cargo
compartment glass (Sport Wagon only) are bonded using
special adhesives and tools. It is recommended that bonded
glass replacement be done by an authorized
BMW service fa-
cility or an automotive glass installer.
Special tools
Some window repair operations require special tools.
Power windows
- Power window features in E39 models include:
Control of the front and rear door window motors is carried
out directly by the General Module (GM
Ill).
One-touch operation in both directions on all four windows.
Cable type window regulator used for all door windows.
. Anti-trap protection provided by pressure sensitive finger
guard.
Right front and each rear door has a single window switch
located in door handle trim.
Rear door window switches can be deactivated by press-
ing child lock-out switch in the driver's window switch block.
Convenience closinglopening of the windows from driver's
loci( cylinder or convenience opening only from remote un-
lociting feature (FZV) remote key.
Window (FZV) operation can be owner customized with
Car Memory function. See 515 Central Locking and Anti-
Theft.
After ignition is switched off, electric windows can be oper-
ated until a door is opened or until
I6 minutes has elapsed.
The GM
IiI bases window motor end position on current
draw (load). There is a maximum window motor run time of
6 seconds. The motor is then switched off even if the end
position load sensor fails.
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Door windows1
Window motor limit stop function
If repeated window activation (upldown cycles) exceeds one
minute, the
GM Ill deactivates the internal relays and disre-
gards any further
upldown requests. The GM Ill provides mo-
tor activation after a short duration but not for the full one
minute monitoring cycle.
The
GM Ill monitors the number of times a window motor is
activated. It counts each cycle and stores the number in
memory. Afler the stop function limit is reached and the win-
dow motor is deactivated, the
GM Ill slowly reverses the
stored count of activation until the stored number equals
0,
thus allowing the window motor to cool down.
WARNING-
* Always wear hand and eye protection when working with
brolen glass.
If a window is brolen, all of the glass bits should be
vacuumed out of the door cavity. Use a blunt
so-ewdi-iv-
er to clean out any remaining glass pieces from the
window guide rails.
When servicing the door windows, the harness con-
nector to the window regulator should always be dis-
connected to prevent pinching fingers in the moving
window mechanism.
Sedan and Sport Wagon doors are similar. Use the following
procedures for window service on these models.
WARNING-
E39 cars are iitted with side-impact airbags in the front
doors. Some are equipped with
airbags in the rear doors
as well. When
servicing the door windows on cars with
side-impact airbags, always disconnect the negative
(-)
battery cable. See 721 Airbag System (SRS) for cau-
tions and procedures relating to the
airbag system.
* Prior to disconnecting the battery, read the battery dis-
connection cautionsgiven
001 General Warnings and
Cautions.
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Door Windows
Worlting carefully with a plastic prying tool, remove window
trim strip from door.
Starting from rear of inner window trim strip, carefully
on trim strip clips
(arrows) to remove window trim.
< Loosen 1 clamping jaw ' fasteners (arrows)
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Door Windows
Tilt window glass carefully inside door cavity and lift out of
door.
Installation is reverse of removal.
Replace plastic window retainers once glass is inside door.
Use new mounting bolts when reinstalling side-impact
air-
bag to door.
Adjust window as described earlier,
Sedan and Sport Wagon doors are similar. There are two win-
dow rails in each front window regulator, only one in the rear.
Otherwise the front and rear regulators are similar.
WARNING-
E39 cars are Wed with side-impact airbags in the front
doors. Some are equipped with
airbags in the rear doors
as well. When servicing the door windows on cars with
side-impact airbags, always disconnect the negative
(-)
battery cable. See 721 Airbag System (SRS) for cau-
tions and procedures relating to the
airbag system.
Prior to disconnecting the battery, read the battery dis-
connection cautions given at the front
001 General
Warnings and Cautions.
NOTE-
Because window operation is electronically controlled, a win-
dow motor does not have mechanical endpositions. For this
reason it can be removed and installed with the window in
any position and does not need reinitialization.
Front window regulator removing and
installing
NOTE-
BMW recommends removing the window regulator and mo-
tor as one unit, then separating the two on the bench.
- Remove front door panel as described in 411 Doors.
- Disconnect negative (-) cable from battery, then remove air-
bag unit and vapor barrier from door. See 721 Airbag Sys-
tem (SRS).
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51 3-4
/Interior Trim
Carefully pry cup holder (arrow) out of console,
4 Pry air vent down to release locking clips and remove.
< Remove screws (arrows) at base of front seat armrest and
slide armrest forward to remove.
4 Remove console glove box (A).
Remove rear trim panel fasteners (B).
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Interior iriml
4 Carefully pry out 4-way hazard flasher switch (A)
Disconnect wiring harness (B).
Remove trim panel fastener (arrow) under 4 way flasher
switch.
4 Remove console trim panel retaining fasteners (arrow) at
rear of trim panel.
Remove front console trim fasteners
(arrows) and carefully
remove trim panel.
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I Interior Trim
Insert allen wrench into slot approximately 1 mm and turn
through
90".
Disconnect wiring harnesses from radio.
Remove radio.
4 Remove left and right locking clips (arrow) from glove com-
partment straps.
4 Carefully pry left and right dashboard trim out to remove
4 Remove right side lower dash support screws (A)
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513-12
Interior Trim
< Remove steering column trim panel by releasing clips (ar-
rows).
< Remove left side mounting fasteners (arrows).
Lilt dash panel upwards and remove through passenger
door.
- Installation is the reverse of removal.
Window and door post trim panels,
removing and installing
Windshield post trim (A pillar), removing and Installing
- On 1998 and later cars, disconnect battery negative (-) cable
I
WARNING-
On 1998 and later models, front Head Protection System
(HPS)
airbags are installed in the driver and passenger side
windshieldpost
trim (A-pillar). See 721 Airbag System
(SRS) for warnings and cautions regarding airbags.
< Remove A-p~llar trim panel fastener cap (arrow)