Roof Motor Aggravation and Frustration

mark1882 · Post by **mark1882** » Sat Mar 16, 2019 1:23 am

Hi
I had a new roof motor fitted on my 53 plate Z in December 2016 by Grosvenor Motors Reading BMW specialists. I went to them because on their website they say that they modify the housing/ box to include water drains preventing the issue returning. They go to say that the modification STOPS the water damage issue returning.

When I try to lower the roof the first motor disengages the roof, but then nothing, no sound of the second motor working. I spoke to Grosvenor a few weeks ago who told me that the 2 year guarantee on the motor had expired but if I was to take it into them that they would have a look at it. This doesn’t really help me as I am in Portugal for a while So as you can imagine I am not a happy bunny !!!!

I have tried to lower the roof manually using the Bowden cable as mentioned by several people on this forum and whist it pulls out and I can twist it to the locked position I still cannot lower the roof manually, so I guess this must also be seized.

I have spent quite a bit of time with the car in Portugal where the rainfall is minimal so this adds to my frustration.

So my questions are, is it normal for the roof motor to last July over 2 years ( the first one lasted over 10 years), could there be another fault eg a fuse or some other electrical fault. I am also having issues with the doors refusing to unlock with the key fob, and the passenger door not unlocking at all ( even from the interior door handle), the key fob locks it ok just won’t unlock it so I have to use the key this has happened intermittently over the past year, and reading posts on this forum understand that this might be related to a problem with the GM5 control unit ( I think it’s called) so if I have a problem with the GM5 unit could this also be affecting the roof, although in the past when I have had the door unlocking problem he roof has been ok.

Any advice and opinion on this very frustrating situation would be greatly appreciated as driving around Portugal in beautiful warm spring weather with the roof up is so annoying.

Thanks
Mark

mark1882 · Post by **mark1882** » Sat Mar 16, 2019 1:55 am

I had a new roof motor fitted on my 53 plate Z in December 2016 by Grosvenor Motors Reading BMW specialists. I went to them because on their website they say that they modify the housing/ box to include water drains preventing the issue returning. They go to say that the modification STOPS the water damage issue returning.

When I try to lower the roof the first motor disengages the roof, but then nothing, no sound of the second motor working. I spoke to Grosvenor a few weeks ago who told me that the 2 year guarantee on the motor had expired but if I was to take it into them that they would have a look at it. This doesn’t really help me as I am in Portugal for a while So as you can imagine I am not a happy bunny !!!!

I have tried to lower the roof manually using the Bowden cable as mentioned by several people on this forum and whist it pulls out and I can twist it to the locked position I still cannot lower the roof manually, so I guess this must also be seized.

I have spent quite a bit of time with the car in Portugal where the rainfall is minimal so this adds to my frustration.

So my questions are, is it normal for the roof motor to last July over 2 years ( the first one lasted over 10 years), could there be another fault eg a fuse or some other electrical fault. I am also having issues with the doors refusing to unlock with the key fob, and the passenger door not unlocking at all ( even from the interior door handle), the key fob locks it ok just won’t unlock it so I have to use the key this has happened intermittently over the past year, and reading posts on this forum understand that this might be related to a problem with the GM5 control unit ( I think it’s called) so if I have a problem with the GM5 unit could this also be affecting the roof, although in the past when I have had the door unlocking problem he roof has been ok.

Any advice and opinion on this very frustrating situation would be greatly appreciated as driving around Portugal in beautiful warm spring weather with the roof up is so annoying.

Thanks
Mark

bz4kev · Post by **bz4kev** » Sat Mar 16, 2019 6:45 am

I have heard about this housing solution what a load of rubbish the motor still gets wet all they do is drill holes in the housing I suggest you take it to one of the roof guys who will relocate it for you so you never have this problem ever again best next time your home to get it done then and get a decent specialist to check your other problems I would say they may not be related good luck

tug · Post by **tug** » Sat Mar 16, 2019 6:57 am

If you have never used the bowden release before now, then the roof will give a lot of resistance the first few times but then gets easier. Unlock the roof the usual way untill it releases from the screen then give it some forced pushing. If this still doesnt move the roof then the bowden release bairing on the pump is seized.

Hope the first bit works for you mate.

Cheers, tug

wonkydonkey · Post by **wonkydonkey** » Sat Mar 16, 2019 8:37 am

You don't mention that you've had the motor relocated, so I presume it's still down in the well, is it? Relocation really is the way forward, and there are people in this forum who will do it for you. Your current motor SHOULD be revivable and they can do this at the same time as the relocation.

Do you get any red or orange lights showing near the roof control buttons when you're trying to open your roof?

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