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535i manual roll down.

E28 technical advice asked and given! Troubleshooting, modifications and more.
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3hands
Posts: 31
Joined: Dec 15, 2024 11:34 AM
Location: Ottawa

535i manual roll down.

Post by 3hands »

The window on my 535i is stuck about 2 inches down. I currently don’t have a battery in the car, and I’m wondering if there is a manual roll up on this model. The tool is provided in my tool kit, however, I don’t see any sort of an access hole. Any help would be appreciated!


alex
stuartinmn
Posts: 9584
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Minneapolis

Re: 535i manual roll down.

Post by stuartinmn »

There should be a little round block off plate towards the lower front of the door panel that you can pop off, then insert the manual winding tool.  See the picture below.  Before you do that, there's a good possibility the electrical contacts in the power window switch are dirty - you can pull the switch out of the console, pry the back off carefully (there are some little springs and things that can pop out, then use a soft pencil eraser to polish the tarnish and dirt off the electrical contacts.  Or, temporarily swap the switch from another door.

(edit:  you said there isn't a battery in the car, so I guess fixing the switch isn't an issue.)

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3hands
Posts: 31
Joined: Dec 15, 2024 11:34 AM
Location: Ottawa

Re: 535i manual roll down.

Post by 3hands »

Thank you so much! I’ll give this a go shortly!

alex
3hands
Posts: 31
Joined: Dec 15, 2024 11:34 AM
Location: Ottawa

Re: 535i manual roll down.

Post by 3hands »

Hmm.. it seems I don’t have that access on mine! 

Alex 
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Aldo525
Posts: 458
Joined: Mar 24, 2021 3:04 PM
Location: Puerto Varas, CHILE

Re: 535i manual roll down.

Post by Aldo525 »

3hands wrote: May 28, 2025 6:10 PM Hmm.. it seems I don’t have that access on mine! 

Alex 
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All e28 have the hole at door card to manually open or close front windows when some electrical failure happens.....see the owner manual (picture). Your doors card aren't original so you must to remove all the door stuff to use the manual lifting windows tool

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3hands
Posts: 31
Joined: Dec 15, 2024 11:34 AM
Location: Ottawa

Re: 535i manual roll down.

Post by 3hands »

I’m finding out more and more about my old car… thank you. 

I wonder why they aren’t original? And if all e28s had that access hole, and these do not, then these can’t be from an e28. Time to do some sleuthing!

Alex 
 
Blue Shadow
Posts: 10387
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: SE PA

Re: 535i manual roll down.

Post by Blue Shadow »

Well remove the screws holding the door pull them pop the door card off the car, prying at each pin holding it on and find you have a hole in your door card backing board, covered with aftermarket fabric. Roll up the window and contemplate your next moves. 

Holes were not made because they didn’t know they are needed or couldn’t replace the plugs with correct color. They are not original because the originals got all messed up over time. 
Mike W.
Posts: 27513
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: California Whine Country

Re: 535i manual roll down.

Post by Mike W. »

I wonder if it was a US spec vs non US spec car.
stuartinmn
Posts: 9584
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Minneapolis

Re: 535i manual roll down.

Post by stuartinmn »

3hands wrote: May 28, 2025 7:16 PM I’m finding out more and more about my old car… thank you. 

I wonder why they aren’t original? And if all e28s had that access hole, and these do not, then these can’t be from an e28. Time to do some sleuthing!

Alex 


 
They're e28 door panels, someone just recovered the center portion.  As others have said, remove the panel from the door and then you can access the window mechanism.  It's easy to do, it just requires a screwdriver and a few minutes' time.  There are a few screws holding the main part of the armrest on, remove them and then turn the armrest 90 degrees to disconnect the top part.  Pry loose the bezel around the door handle, you push it towards the front of the car and it snaps loose.  Then go around the perimeter of the panel and pry it loose from the door, there are a handful of little pop connectors that latch into the door frame.
3hands
Posts: 31
Joined: Dec 15, 2024 11:34 AM
Location: Ottawa

Re: 535i manual roll down.

Post by 3hands »

Thanks for this! I appreciate everyone’s patience with me, as I’m still figuring this thing out! 

Alex 
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