Damn e36 power windows, help!

[Bowze]

ok, ever since i bought my 325is I've had difficulties with the windows and their functionality.
I've replaced the sliders in both sides and cleaned either motor.

however, each window still has its own problem...

Driver's side::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The clips broke early on, so i swapped them, no problems, up and down with ease. Also the PO put a new regulator in (and in the process half destroyed the door panel)
Anyway, the problem is, every now and then(and it SEEMS like its only when the weather warms up) the driver's side window wont work at all.
So, obviously, it gets stuck down sometimes.
to fix this, >>>>
1. I get out and lock the car
2. Go to the passenger side and unlock
3. Turn the power on but don't start the car.
NOW the driver's window works....
why in the world is this??
this is my primary problem but the passenger is also screwy.

Passenger side::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I've looked around a bit but not found a solution on here. The passenger window has extreme difficulty rising up, but not going down.
It shakes violently like a 250 man is sitting on it when it's rising up.
Like i said, I have done the following to attempt a fix:
new sliders (which popped out once bc my roommate rolled it down all the way)
and cleaned the motor.

any advice or solutions you can offer will be greatly appreciated

[fun2drive]

I can offer a couple of suggestions. Seems like the driver's window is more of an electrical issue now that you have the mechanical issues solved. I would try swapping switches for one thing. If that doesn't result in a chance then is may well be likely that you have a comfort relay giving you fits. Typically that would also affect the other window too.

Passenger window.
More too it than the sliders. That is a good start and sometimes solves the problem but I think you might also look at making sure that you have good lube in the tracks front and rear. A large dose of silicon spray along the sides and in the middle would help.
Also you may have a significant build up of old hardened beige grease that is interfering with the sliders travel.
I would not put the door panel on the pass side on and observe the operation while making some of the changes. You might have to pull the window out to get the grease out. I just did this in a friends ti and has to do the same to my vert recently which is very close to your coupe.

Hope this makes sense and helps...

[Bowze]

I just gobbed more grease on the new sliders, removing the old stuff would have been a smart move.

is swapping a relay complicated?
I'll take my switch out and see if I can find anything wrong with it too

[sche7936]

+1 for a comfort relay I recently encountered the window problem

[maharaj1]

I've noticed that in order to send both my windows up I have to keep pressing the switch repeatedly until its all the way up, going down no problem. If it is the comfort relay where is it and how do i replace it?
Thanks

[fun2drive]

Comfort relay is located under the crash panel on the drivers side. You have to remove the interior cover below the steering wheel, that means the lower panel even below that one has to come out. That is the one that goes around the pedals. Once you get those two off there is the crash panel which I recall is held on with I think 2-3 10mm bolts. Once you have that off you will see a small aux panel and a couple of relays. The blue relay is the comfort relay.
Sounds like a lot of work but really not that hard to do and doesn't take that long. No sense taking that apart until you get a replacement.

If you look at item 8
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...66&hg=61&fg=25

I think that is the one you need.
Be sure to verify that with Pelican parts, getbmwparts.com or dealer.
Not expensive...

[Bowze]

Originally Posted by fun2drive

Comfort relay is located under the crash panel on the drivers side. You have to remove the interior cover below the steering wheel, that means the lower panel even below that one has to come out. That is the one that goes around the pedals. Once you get those two off there is the crash panel which I recall is held on with I think 2-3 10mm bolts. Once you have that off you will see a small aux panel and a couple of relays. The blue relay is the comfort relay.
Sounds like a lot of work but really not that hard to do and doesn't take that long. No sense taking that apart until you get a replacement.

If you look at item 8
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...66&hg=61&fg=25

I think that is the one you need.
Be sure to verify that with Pelican parts, getbmwparts.com or dealer.
Not expensive...

cool, I'll give this a shot over spring break, sadly all I have to do this year is work on the bimmer but its fun