Converting from keep fit windows to electric?

[john325tewerin]

Hi.
I've got electric front windows and manual rears in my 4 door touring. Will the wiring already be in place for converting the rears, inparticularly the wiring for the new switches to be installed in the centre console.

Speaking of the centre console, will i have to remove it entirely in order to cut out new holes for the switches.

Many thanks in advance.
John

[alan325i]

Wiring is all there. From centre console to the door pillar on each side

U will need to change the wiring in the back doors as this will only have the wiring for the central locking.

This is easily done though, the wiring u will see is connected to a connector in the door pillar.

Just swap wiring from electric rear doors to urs, will need 4 cable ties for each door.

[john325tewerin]

Thanks Alan for the quick reply.

[Simon]

Some cars will have the wiring already in place in the doors too, particulary 325i's and better optioned cars.

To do a good job on cutting out the holes in the centre console, you're best of removing it completely, easy to take out anyway!

The wiring in the centre console will probably be tucked down the side of the carpet, have a little fish around and you will find it there somewhere!

Changing the regulators is a very easy job too, you will have to drop the windows about 3/4 the way down to remove 2 bolts where the glass connects to the carrier.

[touringshed]

hi i have just done this on my touring and i had to change the windows as well as they have different bolt locations and mine also had the loom in the doors

[tourer-dan]

IIRC cars up to late'89 had different glass for man and elec. later cars are compatible. I could be completely wrong though.....

[Simon]

I've just had a look at the ETK, and it doesn't show any differences in part numbers between early and later cars, or for cars with manual or electric windows.

I've done my 1990 touring, and a friends 1994 touring, and neither needed the glass replacing.

Chances look good if you've got a later car!

[alan325i]

i done mine last week on a 325i 1990, no wiring in back apart from central locking but glass was the same, no need to change that.

[tourer-dan]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?m ... g=51&fg=10

The fronts went from 'rack and pinion' type to 'scissor gear' and the glass changed at the same time. The rears changed from 'rack and pinion' to 'wire and pulley'. This was 04/88 according to this, which probably coincides with the start of tourer production, so the glass should all be the same, but maybe the very first ones had the old glass and mechanisms?
Just a thought.

[Brianmoooore]

IIRC early glass and late glass are a different colour, (brown to green), or wasn't this change at the same time as the mech. change.

[john325tewerin]

Thanks fellas.
I was wondering about the glass. The car is being scrapped tomorrow so I may just get the rear glass out just in case.
I've already made a cock-up with the wiring. In trying to recover the door lock soleniods i just cut the wire (yeah, i know ) assuming my newer car ('91) will have the wiring already there. Let's hope so or else it's out with the sticky tape!

[sabrje]

Guys - if you're looking for door cards to make the conversion complete then have a look at this in the parts for sale section:

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ic&t=19600

Cheers