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Driver's window not working properly

Tiny
GEOFFCOLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 BMW 330
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
The driver's window doesn't go down. When you press the door switch you can hear a faint click. When you press the down door switch nothing happens.
I have replaced the door master switch, the main switch, the window motor all with good working units from my other BMW 3 series of the same year.
Any help appreciated.
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Tuesday, April 26th, 2022 AT 11:29 AM

20 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,192 POSTS
Hi,

Here is how this works: Power from fuses 48 and 71 in the glove box fuse box powers the general module control unit behind the glove box. When power is on at the fuse (key on), power goes to the general module and is sent to the driver's door switch via a gray wire with a brown tracer and a gray with a black tracer. When you select up or down (open/close) a ground path is provided via one of the two wires which then prompts the module to turn the window motor on in the direction requested by switching the polarity to the motor.

I need you to locate those wires at the switch and check them for power. This should be done with the key on.

If there is no power, then we need to test two other things. First, confirm the brown wire with a black tracer has continuity to ground. If it doesn't that is the problem. If it does, then we need to go to the module.

Here is a link you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Do this and let me know what you find. Also, let me know if the other windows are working.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Tuesday, April 26th, 2022 AT 7:51 PM
Tiny
GEOFFCOLE
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  • 11 POSTS
Hi Joe,

Thanks for the quick response.
I tested the master switch, and the two gray wires are showing around 5v and the brown/ black has ground, all the other windows work okay.
Regards Geoff

Just to clarify, the vehicle is a 330d estate.
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Wednesday, April 27th, 2022 AT 6:17 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,192 POSTS
Hi,

Five volts doesn't sound right. I think it should be getting 12v. Do me a favor. Check the blue/green and the black/yellow wires for power. They control the working windows. I want to know if they are getting 5v as well.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, April 27th, 2022 AT 6:17 PM
Tiny
GEOFFCOLE
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  • 11 POSTS
Just checked out those wires, and they too are showing around 5v. Geoff
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Thursday, April 28th, 2022 AT 4:29 AM
Tiny
GEOFFCOLE
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Just a thought, I will also check the other BMW to see if the voltages are the same. Geoff
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Thursday, April 28th, 2022 AT 11:08 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,192 POSTS
Let me know if the other vehicle is the same. Also, let me know if you have checked for power at the motor.

Take care,

Joe
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Thursday, April 28th, 2022 AT 6:15 PM
Tiny
GEOFFCOLE
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Just checked the other BMW and that also reads 5v at switch wires.

When I changed out the window motor for a fully working unit the window glass was about half down, when I connected the power back on the switch raised the window shut, now thinking I had solved the problem I pressed the down switch the problem still existed the window doesn't open.

I assumed I was only getting voltage to the motor from one circuit, not having a great knowledge of electronics and not having a wiring diagram I didn't want to damage the GM5 Module if that was the culprit but with your expertise, I feel happier to attempt a diagnosis.
Geoff
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Friday, April 29th, 2022 AT 4:10 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

Does the gray and black wire between the switch and motor get power when you try lowering the window?

Do me a favor. I went through the manual and found the initialization procedure after repairs were done. It's worth a try at this point.

Let me know.

Joe

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Friday, April 29th, 2022 AT 7:20 PM
Tiny
GEOFFCOLE
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  • 11 POSTS
I tried the initialization procedure with no success, but it was still worth a try.
Do you mean with the window switch pressed down check for power at the motor on the gray and black wire?
If so, I will remove the door panel and check when it stops lashing down with rain.
Geoff
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Sunday, May 1st, 2022 AT 6:06 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

Yes, when you are trying to open it, the gray/black should have power. When closing it, the gray/brown wire should have power.

Let me know. Something isn't making sense. Chances are we are missing something simple.

Take care,

Joe
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Sunday, May 1st, 2022 AT 6:38 PM
Tiny
GEOFFCOLE
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Hi Joe,

Can you tell me where the grey wires goes from the master switch?
Does it go to the GM5 Module then to the door motor or is there other components in the circuit, or am I way off.
I would like to see a simplified wiring diagram of the drivers door circuit if you had such a thing.
Thanks Geoff
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Monday, May 2nd, 2022 AT 6:13 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

I attached the entire wiring schematic below and highlighted the related wires. Please note that the schematic was two pages. I had to cut each page in half to make them readable for you. I did overlap them.

The wires go from the switch to the GM module and then from there, power is sent to the motor.

Take a look through the schematics and let me know if you have questions.

Take care,

Joe

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Monday, May 2nd, 2022 AT 7:59 PM
Tiny
GEOFFCOLE
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Hi Joe,

While toggling switch checked for power at the window motor, power on the black/green, no power on the blue/grey.
Checked at Gm module block x332 power out of black/green, no power out of blue/grey.
I can hear a relay sound when powering up the driver's window but not when pressing for down.
When I use all the other windows, I can hear the relay sound up or down.

Do you know if the relays are on board the Gm module or somewhere else?

Many thanks for the wiring diagram.
Geoff
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Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022 AT 5:48 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

I did some digging and found the OEM schematic for the windows. It doesn't show remote relays. With that, I assume it is integral with the GM V.

Take a look at the attached pic and let me know if you see anything different or have questions.

You indicate hearing the relay with the other windows. Can you tell where the clicking is coming from?

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.
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Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022 AT 5:20 PM
Tiny
GEOFFCOLE
  • MEMBER
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Hi Joe,

Should I maybe remove the terminal blocks from the GM5 Module and check for continuity between the driver's door switch 41/5 wires to the block. And the 7/14 wires to the driver's window motor? The schematics you sent over have been very helpful.

I felt the module but couldn't feel the relay firing but the sound appears to come from it.
The switch wires 41/5 that are showing 5v are very small gauge, do they perhaps trigger the relay which sends 12v on the larger gauge 7/14 wires going to the window motor?

Geoff
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Wednesday, May 4th, 2022 AT 6:35 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

That would be a good idea to check. As far as the GM V, I suspect the 5v is what is triggering an integral relay. If you confirm that all wiring is good, I have a feeling the GM V has failed.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, May 4th, 2022 AT 2:46 PM
Tiny
GEOFFCOLE
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Hi Joe,

Continuity checks out on those two circuits
which points to the GM5 Module at fault.

Unfortunately, a new GM5 and coding would be more than the cars worth, do you know if a secondhand unit would work?

I have seen secondhand modules on eBay, do I need a module identical to the one on the car? I attached a picture of my module.
Geoff
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Thursday, May 5th, 2022 AT 12:49 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

You need to get the same one. Have you checked online for places that rebuild them? I've gotten remanufactured PCMs and other modules that were plug-and-play. So far, they have worked perfectly.

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, May 5th, 2022 AT 8:15 PM
Tiny
GEOFFCOLE
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Hi Joe,

Many thanks for your help in solving my electrical issue, without the wiring diagrams I couldn't have done the checks.
I have taken your advice and have contacted several repair specialists for the GM5 Module.
I will let you know how I get on as this may help other members on the site.
Regards, Geoff
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Friday, May 6th, 2022 AT 9:31 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,192 POSTS
Geoff,

You are very welcome. I hope you are able to get it taken care of as inexpensively as possible. Prices anymore are making it difficult to get by.

Take care and I look forward to hearing from you.

Joe
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Friday, May 6th, 2022 AT 7:49 PM

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