Problems with windows wiggling?

[SecretAsianMan]

Sorry if this is the wrong forum, I wasn't totally sure where to put this..

My wife has a 2010 BMW 135 M package and since day one it's had tons of troubles with the windows. Periodically while driving I'll suddenly get a warning on the dash that one of the doors (either side) is open and the window goes down a little then back up.

It's not just while driving. When we unlock the car, the windows go nuts shimmying up and down, often continuing until a few minutes into the drive. It's worse when it's cold.

Last weekend we went camping with the car and even when locked the windows were doing this non stop. After just one night we were getting warnings of a low battery.

We bought the car brand new and it's been back to the dealer countless times on this and they are unable to fix it. They keep insisting they know what's wrong and replacing window regulators or whatever else, but nothing has changed the situation at all.

The car is now out of warranty and the dealership has proven totally incapable of addressing the situation.. That's another issue. But is this a known issue? Has anyone else encountered this and hopefully figured it out?

[makrop]

No idea what to tell you. Never heard of that... But I will say that even if your car is out of warranty, this specific issue should still be covered since they have yet to resolve the issue from when it was still covered.

[MightyMouseTech]

Just sounds like a door switch, door adjustment or loose striker. Car thinks the door is opening and closing. I believe the switch is in the door latch.

When the door is closed, is it perfectly flush with the body? Are you sure the door is completely closed? My wife has problems closing the door properly, always takes her a couple times.

[makrop]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Just sounds like a door switch, door adjustment or loose striker. Car thinks the door is opening and closing. I believe the switch is in the door latch.

^Genius.

My money is on that. Stealership never thinks about the simple things.

[SecretAsianMan]

Yep, door is totally flush.

Hmm your theory makes a lot of sense. I'll have to dig through the papers of the various visits to the stealership but I think they have replaced the door switches multiple times already.

[MightyMouseTech]

Could also be poor pin grab or corrosion on the door open switch circuit. I always start by checking the wires/connections that see moisture, like inside the doors or in the door jamb.

[ucsbshawn]

my vehicle is doing this exact same thing. out of no where started, drivers side first, then the next day now the passenger side is doing it! when you're driving the window will do the down up thing and you get an alert that says to close the door!
Did you ever find out what the issue was?

[SecretAsianMan]

Nope, and the stealership can't figure it out. They've replaced a ton of parts and are now threatening to stop covering repairs on goodwill - for a problem that happened within 30 seconds of picking up the car from new, at that dealership!!

[ucsbshawn]

i replaced both dome lights, problem went away. one must have been shorting.

[SecretAsianMan]

You're kidding! Was it just a coincidence that you replaced the dome lights, or were they burnt out?

Was it the side map lights or the middle dome lights?

Dealership is completely unable to fix this, so I'll try anything.

[Dackelone]

Everything @MightyMouseTech mentioned is a good advice. Sounds like a bad micro switch for the door lock.


Maybe another easy thing to do is resetting the window limits. Roll down one window, after it stops, press and HOLD DOWN that window switch. Then raise THAT window all the way up, THEN pull up and HOLD that window switch for five seconds. That will reteach the window motor what the UPPER and LOWER limits of travel are.

The reason why most dealers are clueless is bc most techs these days will only replace a part when they have a "fault code" for it. When you get into systems with no computer faults... like a door lock or window... these guys are(sometimes) lost puppies.

Good Luck,
Dackel

[ucsbshawn]

I replaced both center lights front and back with LED. Techs were useless here. Micro switch could also be the culprit, I had a similar issue in my GTI that thought the door was open and it was the switch.

[B777flyboy]

I just picked up a 2013 135. I had this issue 3 months after getting it only it happened once and when I came back out the problem fixed itself. Documented it with dealer but would like to know the fix.

[ASAP]

Same problem... i was told it's either the footwell module or junktion control box. I haven't had time to replace it. Now, here is the crazy thing keep your lights always on, not in auto but ON and 90% of the problem will disappear. At least is did for me... I don't think this is a regulator or actuator issue fyi.

[Beam-me135i]

Thank you @SecretAsianMan for your quest to find a satisfactory window regulating solution in 2014. I’m curious. Were you ever able to resolve the windows’ inch opening and closing issue?

A year ago (in 2022 or so), I purchased an amazingly fast and super response twin-turbo 2010 summer-driven-only fairly low mileage BMW 135i (E82). While it drives beautifully, it has a few (for now minor) electrical issues. (I should determine their OBD codes)

Following heavy rainfalls towards the end of Fall 2023 and more importantly following a heavy snowstorm while at Tremblant (~8”! …amazing skiing though!)
I too experienced the repeated windows’ inch-opening-and-closing (on both Driver & Passenger side of my 135i frameless-window coupe). It almost always stops when I turn on the engine and always stops once all seems to warm up. It also seems to occur when it’s parked in a colder outside destination (we usually park it in a heated indoor garage).

I’ll try ASAP’s suggested simple solution of “lights on always’ (well worth a try) but am curious if any of you have found other solutions to this window repeated inch-opening issue?

Point me to any other related threads

With many thanks in advance

Alex enjoying a spunky 135i
Skiing Tremblant with Jay Peak in mind!

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Beam-me135i

Thank you @SecretAsianMan for your quest to find a satisfactory window regulating solution in 2014. I’m curious. Were you ever able to resolve the windows’ inch opening and closing issue?

A year ago (in 2022 or so), I purchased an amazingly fast and super response twin-turbo 2010 summer-driven-only fairly low mileage BMW 135i (E82). While it drives beautifully, it has a few (for now minor) electrical issues. (I should determine their OBD codes)

Following heavy rainfalls towards the end of Fall 2023 and more importantly following a heavy snowstorm while at Tremblant (~8”! …amazing skiing though!)
I too experienced the repeated windows’ inch-opening-and-closing (on both Driver & Passenger side of my 135i frameless-window coupe). It almost always stops when I turn on the engine and always stops once all seems to warm up. It also seems to occur when it’s parked in a colder outside destination (we usually park it in a heated indoor garage).

I’ll try ASAP’s suggested simple solution of “lights on always’ (well worth a try) but am curious if any of you have found other solutions to this window repeated inch-opening issue?

Point me to any other related threads

With many thanks in advance

Alex enjoying a spunky 135i
Skiing Tremblant with Jay Peak in mind!

Hi Beam me, i sold my 135i years ago but the resolution on this for me was the replacement of the footwell module. It failed and was causing really weird symptoms... even while driving. After that, the problem never happened again.