One Touch Window - Malfunctions
Group 51Body Equipment
Bulletin Number
51 14 91 (3431)
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
October 1994
Product Engineering
This Service information bulletin supersedes S.I. 51 14 91 (3431) dated April 1993, which should be removed from your S.I. binder and discarded. It incorporates a revised window stop adjustment procedure. Revised areas are grey shaded.
SUBJECT:
Various Malfunctions of "One-Touch" Window Operation
MODELS:
3 Series (E36) - Vehicles Produced 8/91 to 9/93 - All Except Convertible
General Information:
Various complaints may be encountered concerning the operations of the "one-touch" driver's window on E36 vehicles. These complaints typically are of three different types, as described below.
Situation 1:
Electric window lift inoperative; slight clicking noise can be heard from window module when the window switch is operated.
Vehicles Affected:
E36 two-door models - driver's and passenger's doors - vehicles produced prior to 9/92.
E36 four-door models - driver's door only - vehicles produced prior to 9/92.
Cause:
The power window module is in the "sleep" mode, an operating mode designed to economize on current consumption.
Interruption and reconnection of the power supply (for example, by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery, fuse, or power window module) can cause impaired functioning of the power window module. If this occurs, a faint clicking noise will be heard from the module (A61) when the window lift switch is operated.
Correction:
Interrupt the power supply to the power window module, then reconnect it as described below. After this, initialize the power window module.
Replacement of the power window module is not a remedy for this situation.
Procedure:
For E36 two-door models - disconnect fuse F14 (30A) for at least 10 seconds.
For E36 four-door models - switch off the automatic circuit breaker (F56), pull out fuse F33 (10A) and wait at least 10 seconds. Reinstall fuse F33, and only after fuse F33 is reinstalled, switch on the automatic circuit breaker (F56).
Important Note:
After the repair, the power window module(s) must be reinitialized (driver's door window on E36 four-door models; both driver's and passenger's door windows on E36 two-door models).
To initialize the power window module, proceed as follows:
1. Lower the window glass by pressing the "down" button fully (to second detent) and hold the "down" button for approximately 3 seconds after the window glass is fully down.
2. Raise the window glass by pressing the "up" button fully (to second detent) and hold the "up" button for approximately 3 seconds after the window glass is fully up.
3. Verify operation of the "one-touch" feature.
Warranty Information:
Labor is reimbursable under the terms of the BMW New Car Limited Warranty of 4 Years/50,OO0 Miles.
Defect Code:
Use the defect code for the cause of the malfunction (e.g., replacing battery, changing fuse, replacing power window module, etc.).
Main Work Associated Work
Labor Operation: 00 50 416 00 50 981
Labor Allowance: 3 FRU 1 FRU
Situation 2:
Electric window lift inoperative.
Vehicles Affected:
E36 four-door models - driver's door only.
Cause:
Disconnection and reconnection of the vehicle battery, of the power window module, or of Fuse F33 (electronic power protection) can cause the power window module to shut off, due to power being supplied by the circuit breaker (F56) before power is supplied by Fuse F33.
Correction:
Switch the circuit breaker (F56) off, then on again. Replacement of the power window module is not a remedy.
Procedure:
While other faults could cause the driver's window lift to become inoperative, before beginning any troubleshooting, proceed as follows:
- Switch automatic circuit breaker F56 (refer to illustration) off, then on again.
- Reinitialize the power window module by performing the following sequence:
1. Lower the window glass by pressing the "down" button fully (to second detent) and hold the "down" button for approximately 3 seconds after the window glass is fully down.
2. Raise the window glass by pressing the "up" button fully (to second detent) and hold the "up" button for approximately 3 seconds after the window glass is fully up.
3. Verify operation of the "one-touch" feature.
Warranty Information:
Labor is reimbursable under the terms of the BMW New Car Limited Warranty of 4 Years/50,000 Miles.
Defect Code:
Use the defect code for the cause of the malfunction (e.g., replacing battery, changing fuse, replacing power window module, etc.).
Main Work Associated Work
Labor Operation: 00 50 416 00 50 981
Labor Allowance: 3 FRU 1 FRU
Situation 3:
Driver's door window retracts approximately two inches (A) after being raised.
Vehicles Affected:
E36 four-door models.
Cause:
If the main stop for window travel is maladjusted, the glass will penetrate too far into the window seal, activating the jamming protection and causing the glass to retract by approximately two inches.
Correction:
Adjust the window limit stop (refer to the illustration) until the window
- has penetrated the window seal by 7 +/- 11 mm, as measured with tool 51 3 080. Refer to the Repair Instructions Microfiche, Section 51-32).
Procedure:
1. Ensure that the window penetrates the seal uniformly (adjust if necessary - refer to Repair Manual Section 51-32).
2. Measure the depth of penetration using tool number 51 3 080.
3. If penetration depth is not 7 +/- 1 mm, adjust the stop (refer to Repair Manual Section 51-32).
4. Initialize the window by pressing the "up" button, holding the "up" button depressed until after the window glass is fully up.
5. Verify the operation of the "one-touch" feature.
Warranty Information:
Labor is reimbursable under the terms of the BMW New Car Limited Warranty of 4 Years/50,000 Miles.
Defect Code: 51 32 0341 00
Main Work Associated Work
Labor Operation: 00 50 416 00 50 981
Labor Allowance: 3 FRU 1 FRU
Note:
The following explanations will spell out the correct use of the work times.
Main Work:
Use this time when the only repair performed is the listed warranty repair.
OR
Associated Work:
Use this time when other repairs or services are performed along with the listed warranty repair.
Under no circumstances should both work times be claimed. Attempts to claim both times will result in an unnecessary delay in claim processing and payment.