W210 window stops 3 inches from top but eventually goes up fine
 

Odd thing is is that this happened on both the 98 and the 99 within the last week. Front passenger window stops about 3 inches from top. On the 99 my son helped it up to get to top...on the 98, after going up and down a few times it went all the way up.

Is this likely the electronics getting confused somehow or something more mechanical?

If this car is anything similar to the W210 that I had, the convenience module essentially needed a reset or "synchronized". All 4 windows and sunroof have a procedure for resetting.

Mercedes E-Class Reset and Synchronisation Procedures

That's generally a good thing to read over to reset some of the electronics on your car.



If anything, yank those door panels and start lubing your window tracks.

My 87 300E has a similar issue when its cold. I have attributed it to a worn out regulator/motor.

I thought about the synching issue....but global up and down seem to work fine (which I wouldn't think would work if they needed to be synched).

I learned about reprograming the windows after going through a carwash following recent service that required the battery disconnected.

Needless to say, many cuss-words were uttered & I got a free interior wash that day. When I got home, I toweled off & RTFM'd

everything was good after that;)