1st Gen R53 Cooper S Window stuck down

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by rivercityRN, Apr 17, 2016.

  1. rivercityRN

    rivercityRN New Member

    Oct 15, 2013
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    I'd just bragged about how well the Mini was doing and then bam...passenger window is stuck all the way down:mad2:. The motor is getting juice cause it will attempt to go up or down but only about an eight inch or so. I tried to grab the top edge of the window to pull it up but it won't budge. After looking through the book, I'm not too keen about tearing the door apart without some input from you guys first. Any thoughts?
     
  2. Savvy

    Savvy Well-Known Member
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    It really isn't a bad DIY to replace the window regulators.
     
  3. Savvy

    Savvy Well-Known Member
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    Although, you would be best to replace the motor at the same time as well. The biggest pain in the balls, is getting the nuts off that mount the glass to the regulator. If you don't have the spanner wrenches required to do the job... there is a 5 or 6mm (actually, I don't recall the exact size, but made a note of it here in the "what did you do..." thread) hex in the center of said nut. Makes the job somewhat easy.
     
  4. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Try taping on the motor. Don't hit it to hard but give a couple of good taps with something metal. Mine did the same a few years back. I gave it a few taps with a wrench while working the switch. this freed it and it has worked sense.

    Good luck
     
  5. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Don't go cheep on the window regulator. Ask how I know!
     
  6. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    I've also found that you can loosen/tighten those window nuts with a bicycle bottom bracket / headset lock ring spanner. And with the lock ring spanners some coilovers come with.
     
  7. Grizld700

    Grizld700 Well-Known Member

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    Like MCS02 said, I was able to nurse my motor for 2 years (before I traded the car) by tapping the motor every once in a while if it wanted to be finicky.
     
  8. quikmni

    quikmni Moderator

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    I had a unique case where the center console window switch started to become intermittent. I had to wiggle the switch just right to get the window to go all the way up or down. The dealer actually replaced the motor and regulator thinking that was the problem but I got it home to find that the problem still occurred. I accidentally figured out it was the switch.
     
  9. BruceK

    BruceK Active Member

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    I had a stuck passenger window and the simple fix for me was to take my fist and give the interior door panel a darn good whack (or two !) just about where the down tube is. That apparently reminded the window motor who was boss (and the impact likely cleaned the motor brushes a bit too).

    Sure, I've probably just postponed the inevitable, but I did that 5 years ago and the window motor is still working like a champ.
     
  10. rivercityRN

    rivercityRN New Member

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    It was the window regulator. However, after replacing it I now get a high-pitched whistle at the top edge of the window at 65+ mph. Do I have an alignment issue?
     
  11. Savvy

    Savvy Well-Known Member
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    Most likely. If you weren't careful to level the glass on those two mounting nuts... you'll have to take the panel off and have a go at that. But I'd check the lower "tilt" adjustments first.
     
  12. Green Flash

    Green Flash Member

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    I have not tried this "hit the door panel" method, but have read that some owners have had success. It is demonstrated in a You Tube video.

    [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsiWNyXXSCw"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsiWNyXXSCw[/ame]
     
  13. BruceK

    BruceK Active Member

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    Yeah I mentioned that earlier in this thread. Some may call it just be a temporary fix, but since my window is still working 5 years after doing that, I'm not complaining. :wink:
     
  14. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Yep same for me:biggrin5:
     

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