Just got myself a silver '88 735i 5spd a month or so back.

It's a real blast to drive, especially considering its a 5 passenger sedan. But I've discovered that it is not without it's problems.

Like the front drivers window: When you try to close it, the window goes almost to the top, but stops about 1/8 inch shy of the top, and a racheting, cogging, clacking sound comes from the door about 6 times. Then it stops, and the window is still about 1/8 inch shy of the top. If you try to move the window upwards further with the button on the center console there is no sound and no further movement. You can use the button to lower the window and it works fine, then repeats the first response when you try to close it.

I've found that if I just tap the button, to use the automatic close feature, then quickly hop out of the car, I can use both hands on either side of the window to help lift the window up to the top. But even with manual assistance, the clacking noise is heard at the top of the travel. The window is however fully closed at that point.

Has anyone experienced this problem? The bentley manual is not really good with pictures in this area. From what pictures I could find, I'm guessing that there is a plastic gear on the backside of the regulator assembly which engages the teeth on an arc-shaped arm on the window mechanism. I'm guessing that maybe the teeth are somehow damaged and slipping, but the fact that the window still makes the clacking noise even when I manually help to pull the window up is puzzling.

I've searched the archives, and this appears to be a rare problem.

Any similar experiences or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance,

Gorky