BMW 320d E46 2001 rear right hand door window

Here is a dealer that should be near you

http://www.bmw-eastviewmbombela.co.za/

The electric window could either be the fuse,switch, or window regulator motor at fault..Sometimes the window motor electric plug can vibrate loose or become loose from door slamming..Also the switch can become loose as well or contamination if you are lucky..You will have to remove door panel to inspect these components..and fuse panel..The light could be a faulty bulb..Check and replace bulb..before involving the signal indicator switch lever...If bulb is at fault go ahead and change bulbs at both rear sides..Do not try to repair signal switch because of air bag..If you can hold down on the turn signal switch and it works the switch is at fault...

Have you tried using the emergency key in the door? and isolating the problem?

Have you checked your fuses?


Emergency key is in the key fob.

Can you hear the motor running when you ask it to lower the window? Is the fuse OK? If the motor is running then most likely the cable that lifts the window has snapped. If there is no noise and the fuse is OK then the motor is either dead or the cable has snagged it. The cable that is used to raise and lower the windows is made of steel and eventually rain water causes it to corrode through. The mechanism consists of a rail running vertically within the door that provides the location for the window clamp. This clamp is secured to the bottom edge of the window and is also attached to a cable. The cable from the top of the clamp passes up the rail, over a pulley at the top and down to the window motor drum that lies about mid way down the door. The cable winds around the drum a few times and then passes onwards to the bottom of the rail where it again goes around a pulley to make its way back up to the bottom side of the window clamp to which it is attached. When the motor drum rotates the cable is both pushed and pulled and in the process moves the window clamp either up or down the rail and closes and opens the window respectively. Sometimes if the cable has snapped it gets completely entangled in the drum and this can disable all motor movement. To fix: remove the door inner panel. Unbolt the window glass clamp and slide the glass up into the frame and tape it temporarily in place out of the way with duct tape etc. Unbolt the rail top and bottom from the dooor framing and disconnect the electric wires from the motor. Lift the assembly clear of the door. Depending on the nature of the break and method of attachment it might be possible to replace the braided cable with a suitable length from Home Depot hardware store. Play with the mechanism so that you are completely familiar with what it is trying to do and in which direction and how many times around the cable is wound onto the drum. Otherwise a visit to a breakers yard might yield the goods. If fitting a second-hand unit, liberally grease the cable to keep rust at bay and it should last a lifetime.

ive just discovered this same problem with my bmw 320d this morning! any theories why it wouldnt lock? would be very helpful

yes you can, but as the french love to stop/fine english drivers for any reason i would sudgest you get quickfit to do it for you and keep the reciept just in case,if you follow me.....

try fitting a new rubber door seal to the rear door.

The turbos are terrible on the 320d. If you plan on keeping the car get a new turbo. £950 from BMW themselves. You will get a 1 or 2 year warranty on the turbo. Well worth it.

There should be a guide under the cover of the fuse box.

You've got the infamous power window mechanism failure, and the best solution is replacing the mechanism. Replacements are becoming more and more available aftermarket, but if not, it's a dealer item. You might check Ebay or Amazon too.

I've had 2 replaced on my 01 Tahoe, and have replaced 2 on my '03 Jeep Cherokee. Both designs are the same. Motor is good, but cable system has a plastic piece that breaks and is not sold separately. Even if it was, when it breaks, the cable winds itself around things and is ruined.

Reply back is you have questions or have other thoughts.