how to replace the power window switch on 2005 BMW 325i?

Use a screw driver to gently pry away the wood trim. Put the trim in a safe spot:

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Underneath the armrest are 2 plastic caps. Pull them out and put them in a safe spot:

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On the armrest you will either have a window control, a side mirror control, or a blank plug. (On my passenger side I have a blank plug). This will need to be removed. On the driver's side I was able to use a screwdriver with a very thin tip to remove it without any problems. On the passenger side, this blank plug was very deep in the hole and the screwdriver was not working. I could see that if I really forced the screwdriver in there it would have damaged the leather. Not really knowing what to do, I started looking around the house for something I could use to get this plug out. I tried this Wustoff carrot peeler and it worked great! No damage to the leather. I think any peeler in this basic shape should do the trick. You might also want to try removing the plug at the other end if you are having trouble. Sometimes removing the plug on the side that is higher up the arm is a little easier. If you have a window control or a mirror control in this spot, once you get it out disconnect the wires that are attached to it. Put the control in a safe spot:

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Remove the 5 torx t-20 screws that are circled in red:

Removal & Installation

1. Remove the power mirror switch. Remove the screw underneath the switch and the screw under the armrest. Remove the armrest.
2. Remove the door lock button. Pull the interior door handle cups out. Lower the window.
3. Pull the panel out from the bottom and unclip from the top.
4. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure. Check the clips and seals when replacing. Press down and in to seat.

E36 Models

1. Remove the door lock knob by turning it counterclockwise.
2. Carefully release the window switch by prying it upward.
3. Slide the door opener trim forward, remove the fastener covers at the inside door handle using a T20 Torx® bit.
4. Using a suitable trim panel removal tool or a thin, wide taped over paint scraper, carefully release the door panel from the door.

Fig. These sturdy plastic trim panel tool work well for interior work

Fig. Carefully lift the mirror switch out of the door panel

Fig. Slide the door opener trim forward to release it from the door panel

Fig. The door handle trim is removed once it has been move forward

Fig. Lift the door panel fastener trim covers to access the fasteners

Fig. Release the door panel from the door by locating each lock clip and carefully releasing it using a trim panel tool

Fig. The upper trim clips are metal. Use care when pulling the door panel off the clips

Fig. A close up view of an upper door panel clip

Fig. The lower door panel clips are plastic pins that are attached to the door panel and snap into the door

Fig. To remove a seized door lock knob without cosmetic damage, place a slit piece of fuel line over the knob, and . . .

Fig. . . . secure the hose with a small hose clamp. Grip the hose clamp with a small pliers and turn the knob counterclockwise to loosen

Fig. The door panel fasteners require a T20 Torx® bit once their trim cover is removed

Power Windows

Removal & Installation
E30 Models

1. Remove the door panel.
2. Remove the window glass.
3. Disconnect the wiring harness from the regulator motor.
4. Remove the mounting screws from the door panel.
5. Pull the regulator out of the door cutout.
6. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure.

E36 Models

1. Remove the door panel. On the 4 door, remove the window. On the 2 door, disconnect the window glass from the regulator and block up to support.
2. Remove the interior door handle. Drill out the regulator mounting rivets and remove the screw at the end of the arm.
3. Remove the regulator.
4. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure. Replace the rivets with M6x10 bolts, washers and matching nuts. Use a thread locking agent on the fasteners.

Fig. Matchmark all of the adjustment points before removal

Fig. The regulator mounting rivets must be drilled out to remove the regulator

Removal & Installation

E30 Models

1. Remove the door panel and water shield.
2. Remove the inside access panel, if equipped.
3. Remove the window trim at the bottom of the window opening.
4. Remove the glass fastening screws and pull the glass out of the guide roller. Carefully remove the glass from the door.
5. Install the glass and adjust the window guides to align. Install the door water shield and panel.

Fig. Once the door panel is removed, the vapor barrier must be carefully removed to access the window fasteners

E36 Models
2 Door

1. Remove the door panel, water shield and the upper trim strip from the glass opening.
2. Lower the glass about 6 inches (152mm) and remove the screws on the rear guide rail holder.
3. Lower the glass another 4 inches (102mm) and push the retainers at the bottom guide out.
4. Disconnect the motor connector. Loosen the screw at the bottom of the rear guide and remove the screw above it. Remove the rear stop holder.
5. Disconnect the regulator arm while holding the glass from falling. Remove the screw at the front guide and loosen the screw at the front stop. Remove the front stop holder and pull the window glass out of the door.
6. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure.

4 Door

1. Remove the door panel and water shield. Lower the window about 1 ft. (approx. 30 cm).
2. Disconnect the window motor. Disconnect the clips on the lower guide rail. On the rear windows, remove the weather-stripping and trim from around the window opening.
3. Disconnect the lifting arms from the guide while lifting the window out of the door opening. The glass will remove to the outside.
4. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure.

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o remove the window mechanism (see photo below):


• pry off the door trim piece (fake wood on my 325i), using a small flat screwdriver
• remove the two Torx screws (#10 or 15)
• pry off 1 plastic cover on top and 2 under the door handle
• remove 1 Torx screw under each cover
• slide a slot screwdriver or other thin, stiff object between the lower edge of the door lining and the door, and pry it off so the plastic clips attaching the panel to the door pop out of the door.
• pull the panel away from the door, popping the other clips out
• pull the upper edge of the panel away from the door, releasing it from the clips, and lift up so it clears the door lock button
• disconnect the door latch cable from the panel by rotating it away from the panel
• unplug the speakers
• remove the door panel and put it in a safe place
• unscrew 3 10mm bolts from the side airbag
• remove airbag from door, and unplug yellow connector. Put this explosive device in a safe place.
• remove unidentified black plastic control box from front section of door (2 Phillips screws)
• carefully remove the black foam moisture barrier on the door, trying not to tear it
• window switch
• remove these 2 bolts - the nuts behind them can then be removed also, or they will fall into the bottom of the door
• remove the 5 10mm nuts holding the window regulator to the door
• cut 2 nylon zip ties holding the window cable to the door frame
• remove the rear rail from the door by twisting it out
• remove the front rail (you should install zip ties on both front and rear rail)
• if a clip on the rail has broken, push the metal cylinder on the steel window cable back into position in the plastic clip
• using 2 nylon zip ties, as per photo below, attach the cable to the metal bracket
• reinstall motor/front rail
• reinstall rear rail
• re-attach window to sliding brackets

• reassemble door panel
  

Photo of disassembled door, showing window mechanism

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Close up of broken clip, with nylon zip ties installed

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