The driver's window in my 1997 Passat rolls up unevenly and only rolls about 75% up. This happened just after I got it back from the mechanics from trying to fix door handle. They said it was that way when we brought it in and that we were SOL.. Liars! Does it just need tightening? Not mechanically inclined but will rot in H L before I pay them more money.....Suggestions on a fix?

It's probably the window regulator, common problem in BMW.
It's not hard to replace, but if not mechanically inclined, better to take to a dealer or your independent BMW technician, the part is not terribly
expensive (for a BMW)but labor might run into some $$ at the dealer.

could be the mechanism is jammed up i would advise you go to a local mechanic and have it looked at .

Replace the broken switch

Hi there,

If manual window winder

Your driver's window glass may have come off the regulator mechanism.


If electric window control

The glass may have detached from the regulator or the regulator cable has unwound itself off the mechanism (ie tension during upward motion, but loose when motor stops winding).

Your driver's door panel will need to be removed to inspect your window regulator operation.

the driver door and power window is something different from the check engine light power windows sounds like a fuse is all windows are just one window check engine light or malfunction light your car every time you start it it sends signals to all the sensors in your car if it finds a fault then it throws that light on that you see heres how to find out why the light is on it stores the code to whats wrong with your car have the code pulled with a ob1 or ob2 code scanner auto parts store will do it for free could be something minor like a bad gas cap could be something more serious the door now do you have keyless entry on your door like a code you have to punch in your car door to get in it if not then is it only one door if its only one door the sping has come lose on the door handle on the inside of the door panel work on all b4 model Passats, which are (I think) from model years 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998. If you try it and mess up your door, don't come after me. So there. The problem: External door handles on B4 Passats tend to stop working. This is a gradual process, where at first it might take a couple of pulls to open, then more pulls, and finally it won't open at all. This leads to much angst, and there's just way too much angst in the world.
A possible reason: The roll-pin that holds part of the mechanism (what I'll call the "widget" ... clever, eh?) in place tends to slide out of position, allowing the widget to slide towards the outside of the door handle.
How to check: Follow steps 1-3 below to see if your roll pin has slid out and the widget has moved out of position.
How to fix it

1. Open the door and, using a Phillips-head screwdriver, unscrew the large screw (parallel to the door handle) at the back of the door. See #1 for a picture, or click here for a big picture
   Please note: It appears that the passenger-side doors are REVERSE threaded, so go the opposite ways to loosen/tighten the screw.
   
   
2. Pull out the exterior handle. It should slide forward, then out. See #2 for a picture, or click here for a big picture
   
   
3. The back of the mechanism should have a "roll pin" sticking out (see picture #2). If your problem is like mine, there will be a very small arm (widget) that should be in front of the pin (front being towards the front of the car), but has slid to the outside of the handle. You can tell which widget this is by pulling on the handle and seeing it move.
   Please note: The roll pin may have fallen out completely. If it isn't there, you can probably use a small screw or something in its place.
   
   
4. Pull the roll pin out enough so the widget can be slid into place (you'll notice a hole in the widget). Force the widget towards the interior of the car and line it up so you push the roll pin all the way through to the hole on the back end, then go ahead and push the roll pin all the way through to lock the widget into place. You might need a screwdriver or something to force it in, and perhaps a small screwdriver to force the widget into place. When done, it should look like #3.
   Please note: For best results, push the roll pin ALL THE WAY in.
   
   
5. Spray some lubricant (silicon gel works fine for me) on the interior of the door and the locking mechanism.
   
   

http://chris.quietlife.net/passat/doorfix/pic2.php

1. Open and close the door freely!

Pop out the switch on the door that has the issue, more than likely switch has gone bad and needs to be replaced. you will need to check it with a meter to see if power is getting to the switch and also to check when switch is activated if power goes through switch

sounds like your window regulator is going out

try to replace switch or check your wiring might be broke

you need to remove the interior door shell and check out the tracks and guides (the things that the metal frame that holds the window ride in). they can get worn and they will start popping out and if they do it once they usually keep doing it. after you look in there and see what is not happening like it should you can usually go to a shop that repairs car windows and buy the parts you need. i had to replace some parts in my volvo windows and after i did it lasted till the engine died many years later. hope that helps

its probably because you keep the key turned for too long while locking the car.
turn the key to lock it and turn back again quickly.
It freaked me out the first time it happened me but once you get used to it, its not a big deal