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Soft top stuck down after winter hardtop removal

Discuss problems you have had or are having with your Z4
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williamdefender
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Soft top stuck down after winter hardtop removal

Post by williamdefender » Sat Mar 17, 2018 2:32 pm

After a winter hibernation i thought St Paddys Day would be a good time to remove the hardtop and treat the soft top to some renovo dye . Well the dreaded roof motor issue seems to finally hit me . Soft top is stuck in the down position with red light flashing at the switch . I can hear the motor attempting up and down but no movement . With me being in Northern Ireland I've never been able to avail of ducklakeviews wonderful boot mod so I'm kinda stuck now . Lots of reading ahead I'm sure but if anyone can throw out some quick tips then please do . Im sort of confident that once it frees up it will keep going as there has been no issue prior to the hibernation . Oh and if theres any motor boot movers in NI then please shout out , thanks chaps

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Soft top stuck down after winter hardtop removal

Post by philbo909 » Sat Mar 17, 2018 3:02 pm

Are you sure it's not the red cable in the boot that's pulled out? Thought my roadster motor had died, but it was just this
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williamdefender
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Soft top stuck down after winter hardtop removal

Post by williamdefender » Sat Mar 17, 2018 4:05 pm

tried the red release but it won't let me pull the roof manually . I get the impression the cable is stuck , i can pull it but its doesn't seem to have much of a spring in its step . Im now thinking whatever the red cable attaches to is stuck . Electrics seem ok as its defo making noises like putting electric windows up and down . Will dive in a bit more

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Soft top stuck down after winter hardtop removal

Post by philbo909 » Sat Mar 17, 2018 4:47 pm

williamdefender wrote: Sat Mar 17, 2018 4:05 pm tried the red release but it won't let me pull the roof manually . I get the impression the cable is stuck , i can pull it but its doesn't seem to have much of a spring in its step . Im now thinking whatever the red cable attaches to is stuck . Electrics seem ok as its defo making noises like putting electric windows up and down . Will dive in a bit more
I
I'm sure there will be a thread on here on it if you delve deep, good luck :thumbsup:
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Soft top stuck down after winter hardtop removal

Post by williamdefender » Sat Mar 17, 2018 6:02 pm

ok some progress . Ive got the shelf out by following a guide on here . Problem is the roof is now in the way and the guides seem to describe the process with the roof being in the up position . So now I've the rear glass window looking at me and covering where i need to reach . How the hell do i shift the roof up . Reading ducklakeviews various posts i think the plunger is stuck on the motor which is therefore stopping the roof going into manual mode so as i can lift it . Any help?
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Soft top stuck down after winter hardtop removal

Post by williamdefender » Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:15 am

Really need some advice folks . Im thinking of getting a person each side of roof and forcing it up . Only other way i can see is the full removal of roof . Any takers for advice , thanks

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Soft top stuck down after winter hardtop removal

Post by firebobby » Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:30 am

You don't want to risk bending the frame, I'm sure one of the roof boys will be along soon and give you words of advice.
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Soft top stuck down after winter hardtop removal

Post by 1972nail » Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:42 am

I'm no expert in this but could the catch that the cable attaches too be under pressure from trying to raise the roof and jammed? Pushing the roof down slightly might take the pressure off and allow it to release.

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Soft top stuck down after winter hardtop removal

Post by williamdefender » Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:45 am

thanks chaps , yes defo need one of our roof gurus on this thread .

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Soft top stuck down after winter hardtop removal

Post by williamdefender » Sun Mar 18, 2018 9:01 pm

Thought it over and I'm going to bite the bullet and pull out the roof . To bloody cold though at the minute , will let you know how i get on with it .

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Soft top stuck down after winter hardtop removal

Post by williamdefender » Wed Mar 21, 2018 12:53 am

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Progress tonight , motor out after struggling to it the boot removal way . Ended up the long way , still happy i got there in the end . Going to run the pipes into boot and see can i get the thing back working again .Image

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Soft top stuck down after winter hardtop removal

Post by firebobby » Wed Mar 21, 2018 10:11 am

Well done you, I'm amazed one of our roof gurus didn't comment on this issue. They are normally very quick to post on roof issue threads.
Maybe this problem was to complex for them :|
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
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Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981

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Soft top stuck down after winter hardtop removal

Post by Hagasan » Wed Mar 21, 2018 11:24 am

Remove the motor from the hydraulic unit. Plonk it in a bath of diesel and run off of a battery for 20 mins in each direction.
Mine was like yours this time last year. Chances (very good chances) are your motor will be fine. Clean up the emergency cable mechanism at the same time.

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Soft top stuck down after winter hardtop removal

Post by ph001 » Wed Mar 21, 2018 11:56 am

I think the top roof motor guy is having a lot to deal with at the moment so you can forgive his lack of reply. Well done OP for getting your motor out though - looks like you have had the classic problem of a s**t load of water sat in your drainage well - assume you know the importance of checking the drain bungs etc?. It's amazing how those motors clean up though.
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Soft top stuck down after winter hardtop removal

Post by williamdefender » Wed Mar 21, 2018 7:31 pm

Thanks for the kind words guys . With the help of my son i managed to get the roof lifted off tonight so as i could get them drains cleaned out . Check out the tidal line on the roof motor drain . Got them all cleaned out and ran some boiling water down through them . All good , ready to go back in . just have to work out about cutting a slot to allow the lines to run into the boot . Got the motor steeping here and it is moving free . Will maybe leave it overnight and see how it goes .
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