BMW Repair: Power window does not roll up - 323i- 2000, cr lawrence, razor blade


Question
This is a 323i Sedan 2000 model one of the early versions bought in 1999. So I have had my share of problems with this car.
The car has done 110,000 miles. The rear window(driver side) all of a sudeden stopped rolling up. I can hear door window motor runing and I can hear noise ( as if a plastic string is loose). However the window does not roll up.
I want to repair it myself. I am looking fow "how to" repair this myself.
I am trying to remove the door pannel to access the window motor / mechanism, but am unable to. There are two screw on the internal door handle. I have removed these, but nothing loosens up or opens up.

So my question(s) are:
- How do i open p the door pannels(inside ones) so that I can access the Winow mechanism?

- Once I have done this, How do I repair?

Thanks in advance
Brijesh Khanna

Answer
Brijesh, You need to replace the window regulator (lifting mechanism). Hope you have some tools. Leave your car outside so the sun can warm the door you'll work on. You need to remove the wood finisher by the inner door handle (we use a nylon pry stick made by a company called CR Lawrence item #216) release the two screws behind it. Carefully lever out the window switch and disconnect connector. Remove screw (T-20 torx). Remove the two screws at the bottom of the arm rest. Use your pry tool between the door panel and door to pop the door clips around the perimeter of the door. Pull the door hande up and away to remove the top portion of the panel. Remove the door handle cable from the cable side and speaker connector. Use a razor blade and carfully remove the foam vapor barrier top and both sides WITHOUT tearing the soft foam (it keeps water out of the rear footwell during rain). Don't take the bottom of the barrier off unless you are replacing it. You can get the sticky black sealer at your BMW parts center when you get your parts. Remove the three T-30 torx on the window motor, twist and remove. Cut the window regulator cable so you can move the window at will. Remove the 8mm bolt that clamps the window to the regulator. There is a metal nut that fits into the back of the plastic clip on the window glass. The nut likes to fall out when removing bolt. Unclip the glass out of the regulator and manually push window up to top of window channel. Grab some masking tap and run several strips on the outside of the glass-over the top of the door- and back onto the inside of the glass to hold it up while you work on the regulator. Remove the three 10mm nuts and remove regulator. Replace the nuts with three improved ones part number 07 14 7 153 450 .  
Replace LR Regulator 51 35 8 212 099 .
Reinstall all in reverse order. Make sure your vapor barrier seals well. Make sure all door panel clips are in the door correctly before popping on door panel. Good luck!
-Evan