I was talking hypothetically, Buster; but as you took the time to make a condescending comment I’m more than happy to respond with what I hope is an equally condescending retort.
I didn’t go into too much detail because A) I don’t have a comprehensive understanding of how the complicated roof mechanisms work (lifting of rear window, lifting of rear quarter, unlatching of roof from windshield, lifting of roof and rear window into boot). And B) I didn’t feel a need to go into detail of how frozen things can burn out motors when said frozen things (In this instance used with the loose term ‘connector’) can have a tendency to stick/shrink. You clearly have ‘connector’ in mind referring to an electrical component, but didn’t think about mechanical mechanisms as being connectors i.e connecting the roof to the windshield.
Firstly, how a ‘frozen connector’ may burn out a motor:
I had a Z3 before the Z4. Said Z3 had a motorised roof but you had to unlatch the connection to the windshield first, then the motor would retract the roof. When it was particularly cold, and because the frame at the front of the canvas roof was metal, condensation would buildup and freeze inside the latching handle making it surprisingly difficult to unlatch from the windshield frame.
Now In the E89 Z4 the whole opening/closing/latching mechanism is automated and controlled by motors. If you had a condensation issue, and the latching system at the front froze (it’s a pretty small latch if you look at it), you could be forgiven for thinking that the small motor controlling the latch connecting the roof to the windshield could burn out. Hence me stating, in what you clearly thought was worthy of witty condescension, that “a frozen connector could burn something out”.
I also feel as though I’ve got into the swing of things with that answer so I’ll respond to the Native American greeting below, too:
When it was particularly chilly up North last week I experienced an issue where ice formed on the outside of the car prevented the seals from releasing the door window pane when pulling the door handle. Usually the glass would lower ~3cm, but it couldn’t due to the ice buildup. I applied some warm water and massaged the seal a bit which seemed to work. A rubber seal. Not the aquatic, blubbery kind (I know how you struggle with ‘connectors’ so wanted to be crystal clear). I think that one could also be forgiven for thinking that a 10 year old rubber seal (again, not aquatic) may not be quite so flexible when cold, and may stick to things that it otherwise shouldn’t (gummipfledge for this, wonderful stuff). You’ll notice that all around the rear quarter of the car that lifts to accommodate the roof, there is a huge rubber seal (not a walrus) that if old, cold, and sticking-to-things-it-shouldn’t may just do some damage to a component or two. Especially considering the hinge location and moment induced by its distance from the neutral axis. the amount of force required would be neglig- who am I kidding... he stopped reading after the first paragraph. So many good seal jokes wasted. I didn’t even get to mention the Native Americans again.
Condescendingly,
Beeacon.
