BMW E46 3-Series Wiper Motor Replacement DIY

Replacing the wiper motor for a 2002 BMW E46 330xi, should be the same on any 3 series 1999-2006.
E39Source WEBSITE: www.E39Source.com
BMW M3Source: / e65source
BMW E46Source: / e46source

[@friguy4444]

Well this is probably the most honest mechanical video I've seen in forever. lol. Great job and thank you big time!

[@daithiosioradain3380]

Nice work and a very useful video for E83 X3s too. BTW at 11:20 a ratchet spanner also works very well.

[@garytanaka]

Thanks for doing these videos Ryan! Coincidentally, I am replacing the windshield cowl piece myself today - already removed the old brittle, broken one and now waiting for Fedex to deliver the new one. It's good to see how you are bringing your e46 back to life. Excellent video work - easy to see how you did everything!

[@michaelscott356]

EXCELLENT work, Ryan. I don't know what you do in "real life"....you know, for PAY....but keep doing these: you're a natural trainer....WITH the FM voice to go with it. (Good camera work and great running dialog as well). BTW, that thing you referred to as a "bit of a retainer" (at 3:12) I think BMW refers to as an "installation element".....so, clearly, even THEY didn't know what to call it! Regardless...I'm in the middle of a little "wiper conundrum" myself right now, so, thank you for this! Great work. Also, when you've got a day or three.......please do a video on all the various and sundry sources of "oil leaking and burning on manifold and stinking up the cabin"....so my indie mechanic can follow your lead! :-) Cheers, man!

[@E39Source]

Michael, Thanks for the kind words! I am glad that you found this video useful. I have graduated college with a Business Administration degree, but am still at a los as to what to do for an actual career. I with this kind of work paid more. Regarding oil leaks, there are many common places for BMWs to weep oil. The stink I am unsure about, as I have never had to deal with that up to this point. I would inspect your rear main seal, valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, both upper and lower oil pan gasket (and oil temp/level sensor gasket) for leaks, those are the most common places. Hope all is well at Dunder Mifflin, Michael.

[@michaelscott356]

E39Source Yes, still having fun with my name... but it's gradually "dying off" as The Office slips into obscurity, Cheers, my friend!

[@chrisrodrigue1905]

Great video. And well explained to do it yourself mechanic. Please keep making your videos. Saved me hundreds if not thousands of dollars

[@BloodScatter]

Great video man! I am glad that you bought an E46 so that we can get some actually helpful videos in dealing with this car from the best, of course! :)

[@ServiceProcess]

Massive thanks for this, you made this job so much easier for me. Just to say. when attempting to get the retainer piece (installation Element) out, press on the wiper arm. It is sprung at an angle as to put an unequal force on the Installation Element which makes it difficult to get out. Depressing the arm makes it alot easier. Anyway ...... big thanks.

[@c0mputerwhiz1]

Just a tip of the adjustment of the wiper arms: if you put some masking tape on the windshield marking the position of the blades before you take the arms off, then you can use that to put them back on when you're done. Of course, that does require them to be lined up properly initially, but that should be the case for most people.

[@Marttinen58]

Best DIY video i ever seen,I´ve seen a lot. Thanks : )

[@taylorwest6986]

Thanks for the video! Looks like I know what I'm doing this weekend.

[@jerrykampitsis3052]

Excellent video and thorough explanations…

[@ilopch784]

Great instructions. On reinstalling the wiper motor, very important to connect and turn it on so wipers would be in up position. makes getting the 2 wiper posts go into their holes much easier. took an hour when you don't have issues :)

[@DanGinney]

Great video as there aren't really any regarding this procedure. Thanks!

[@JonesyStayFly]

Your car start sounds so awesome.

[@deshonlucious]

Thank for the video, I am not looking forward to doing this job but it has to be done. Again thank you for you video. And I admire your car collection.

[@tomb4250]

same with me, retainers dont come off, GREAT 😂

[@steveh559]

Little tip before starting mark position of the wiper blades with insulation tape on the window to help setting them up again. - remove the tape before testing - even if only one is good and the other is broken - saves time,

[@thomasclancy7168]

I'm doing this now. Just spent over an hour trying to get the motor wire unplugged to get to the upside down 10mm bolt. I'm taking a break for now but this is the most awkward thing oer ever attempted to repair.

[@MrTubs911]

That 8 series was cleeeeeeeean!

[@OneSourceMortgage2877]

Awesome video 👍

[@RobJohnsonGuitar]

Great video ! Thanks Ryan !

[@martinprinc482]

Thank you for your vid. It was big help

[@DarnLevel]

I love the intro of the video! LOL

[@armandix5]

Congratulations, you did a great job. BTW on minute 6:50 you took out a rubber o plastic washer and I would like to know the name of that part becasue I want to replace both of my Z4 e85. Thanks

[@E39Source]

www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=EW53-USA---E46-BMW-330xi&diagId=61_1070 Refer to this diagram, I think you're talking about part 2 or 5.

[@armandix5]

Exactly ! I checked on realoem.com but maybe I didn't know how to find the same scheme you kindly sent to me. Yes that is the washer, the number 2, "Upper damping ring" , it is made of metal and has a rubber coating. Thanks a lot for you help and congratulations gain for your nice videos.

[@armandix5]

THANK YOU ! It is number 2 (Y)

[@torro6050]

Thank for a great video. It helped me alot :-) Thor, Norway

[@VioladorDeLaLey21]

Thanks for the video! I have to fix my windshield wipers soon, they got stuck in the upright position, I know the motor is still good but it has to be something else ... ugh!

[@chrisrodrigue1905]

Yea me too its the linkage not the motor. But the threads on the motor could be stripped

[@vladvlad9749]

Hello! On an e46 318d FL what is the correct position of the wiper assembly. I don't know their position, sometimes they come out of the window, sometimes they go under the hood.

[@E39Source]

I would reference the installation position on NewTis.info.

[@Appleguy2456]

excellent work.

[@tabschocolate8264]

Please help, I have a 2004 330ci and need to know where I can find a new transmission linkage assembly for my wipers

[@E39Source]

ECS Tuning: bit.ly/2MPZSB3

[@hutchdorsoduro3501]

Hello, I have a problem with my 2003 BMW E46 330. The windshield wipers stop in the middle of the windshield instead of being at the bottom of the windshield in their original place. I changed the relay and the switch but nothing works... if anyone has any ideas, I'm interested... thank you

[@glenglene8473]

My wiper arms park in middle of the windshield (about 45 degrees). I removed the wiper arms and observed the two posts, they both rotate counter clockwise instead of clockwise as they should be. I am confused!

[@E39Source]

I'd need to car in my shop to diagnose the issue. Any chance you're close to San Diego?

[@stacyann793]

Does anyone know the correct name of that "retainer" piece that was pulled out at 3:23? I can't find it anywhere!

[@E39Source]

61618226059

[@stacyann793]

Thank you!

[@k3v24]

I think I just screwed myself over breaking the bolt to the wiper. Now I gotta do this! How much did you pay for the motor?

[@E39Source]

Kev O. I think I bought the wiper motor on Ebay for about $65.

[@tomb4250]

+E39Source ohh I am this bad i cant get the fucking retainers off, I can wiggle, flatpiece - no Chance HELP tomorrow i drive to bmw and they have to show me how they get of this retainers without a special Tool 😂

[@E39Source]

+Thomas Bretterklieber all you can do is wiggle and pry. I don't know if they have a special tool or not. Good luck!

[@roosterkitten]

u can use a faucet handle remover tool (from a home depot or similar store). Mine were seized as well and wouldnt come off any other way

[@yuhaz]

thx

[@UgurEkim]

How the hell do u find parts like that btw? I need to replace some water hoses behind my M62B35 (535i, same as 540i basicly) since it got a hole in it and it was leaking coolant like hell. I got it fixed now, but not oem parts..

[@E39Source]

Ebay!! If you shop carefully, you can found some great deals.

[@robrigos]

Awesome! Thanks....

[@sethmorton1856]

You bought a 3 series? Don't you already have an M5 and an Accord?

[@samiralim95]

Nice!!

[@finepakiinemporia]

How many hours does this take?

[@E39Source]

Probably 3, but I spent a good bit of time fighting to get the wipers off the old motor itself. I could do it in less time now.

[@finepakiinemporia]

Thank you!

[@UgurEkim]

Hahahah, i did this on my E39, it was a pain in the ass!!

[@Appydem]

This is how you do it on right hand driven or European coupes kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWeuiJypg76sqqc

[@TuddecBMW]

FIIIIIIIIIIrst comment 2nd view!