Electric windows

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canada karl
Posts: 1058
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 3:50 pm

Electric windows

Post by canada karl »

I need to move my non running parts car and it would be handy to reach into the drivers side and work the steering wheel but the electric windows aren't working. Is there a way to manually lower the window?
1976 530i. BMW 59 Triumph TR3A(rolling resto). 67 Triumph TR4A(salvageable). 86 900S Winter car
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Mike W.
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Location: Sonoma County

Re: Electric windows

Post by Mike W. »

On some of them there is a plug in the door panel you can remove and use something, I think it's the special nylon tool in the tool kit to move the window. But if I recall correctly, it really doesn't work very well and is only designed for emergency use, meaning it probably only has a couple of uses before it fails. I'd try to rig up a battery first, doesn't have to be a car battery, you could just use a little 12V gel cell like below. I actually keep one around the house to use to charge up phones in case our power co, PGE cuts power as they sometimes do with no warning in times of fires. Not expensive and rechargable. I've got a little cigarette lighter pigtail for it and a charger, both ways. Doesn't have to be that one, that's just what I bought.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079Z ... UTF8&psc=1

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Mike W.



1980 528i, 3.5 euro, 5 speed conversion
1981 528i, 3.6, Recaros and more. Project
1998 328is, quick and efficient, but not satisfying
2000 528iit, Vacation mobile/wife's grocery getter
canada karl
Posts: 1058
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 3:50 pm

Re: Electric windows

Post by canada karl »

Thanks for the tip about the battery. Do you know where this plug is located and what it looks like?
1976 530i. BMW 59 Triumph TR3A(rolling resto). 67 Triumph TR4A(salvageable). 86 900S Winter car
User avatar
Mike W.
Posts: 2790
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:12 am
Location: Sonoma County

Re: Electric windows

Post by Mike W. »

canada karl wrote: Mon Jun 26, 2023 4:11 pm Thanks for the tip about the battery. Do you know where this plug is located and what it looks like?
On the doorpanel. Maybe about where your knee would be. Plastic, flat, 1.5" in diameter? Going off memory, not a precise measurement.
Mike W.



1980 528i, 3.5 euro, 5 speed conversion
1981 528i, 3.6, Recaros and more. Project
1998 328is, quick and efficient, but not satisfying
2000 528iit, Vacation mobile/wife's grocery getter
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