New here and some advice

Badforgood · Post by **Badforgood** » Mon Sep 27, 2021 11:48 am

Z4, E89, 2010, 3.0L RHD.

Hi, I've been visiting your forums for a while now and find them very interesting and informative.

I've never bothered registering before as I just like to read the posts. However yesterday I had a problem with my roof and I need some advice so hence I've just registered.

I was out for a trip yesterday and the weather was nice so I had the roof down. When I arrived at my destination I tried to put the roof back up but the rear part of the roof stopped and it didn't latch closed. As a result the windows are all stuck down and the boot lid won't open, also the roof won't go up or down. From reading some of the previous posts it sounds like it could be a microswitch or sensor problem.

My question is, if I can't open the boot then how do I get access to the microswitches and sensors etc. Seems like a catch 22 senario, how can you repair anything if you can't access it?

Also is there any way to open the boot when this happens?

Thank you in advance for any help you can give.

Pondrew · Post by **Pondrew** » Mon Sep 27, 2021 12:06 pm

Hi and welcome.
So is the roof and boot all closed but the rear section (with window in) of the roof has not latched, so bringing up an error message, flashing red roof button and the bong of doom?

Badforgood · Post by **Badforgood** » Mon Sep 27, 2021 12:39 pm

Yes, that is correct.

Chippie · Post by **Chippie** » Mon Sep 27, 2021 12:43 pm

Either you or a garage can override the micro switch/ sensor/cable fault if using the correct software such as ISTA, this will allow the windows to close and you will be able to gain access to the boot.

Chippie · Post by **Chippie** » Mon Sep 27, 2021 12:44 pm

Chippie wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 12:43 pm Either you or a garage can override the micro switch/ sensor/cable fault if using the correct software such as ISTA commanding the roof to close and latch, this will allow the windows to close and you will be able to gain access to the boot.

That should have been an edit not a quote

Smartbear · Post by **Smartbear** » Mon Sep 27, 2021 12:47 pm

Badforgood wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 12:39 pm Yes, that is correct.

This should get you in the boot

: 106DBA5F-122A-4BA1-862C-044FDED56792.png (513.47 KiB) Viewed 829 times

: CEC232D8-24CF-47AE-BC6B-916FE2926749.png (619.82 KiB) Viewed 829 times

: 85CC6566-12E8-47CD-9DAA-89C61C6270DF.jpeg (125.42 KiB) Viewed 829 times

Rob

Badforgood · Post by **Badforgood** » Mon Sep 27, 2021 1:01 pm

Ok, a couple of questions, sorry if they seem stupid but I don't want to risk getting this wrong.

Does the connector have to be unplugged?
Is the ignition turned on or off?

Badforgood · Post by **Badforgood** » Mon Sep 27, 2021 1:05 pm

Chippie wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 12:44 pm
Chippie wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 12:43 pm Either you or a garage can override the micro switch/ sensor/cable fault if using the correct software such as ISTA commanding the roof to close and latch, this will allow the windows to close and you will be able to gain access to the boot.
That should have been an edit not a quote

What is ISTA software?

Smartbear · Post by **Smartbear** » Mon Sep 27, 2021 1:11 pm

Badforgood wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 1:01 pm Ok, a couple of questions, sorry if they seem stupid but I don't want to risk getting this wrong.

Does the connector have to be unplugged?
Is the ignition turned on or off?

You’re looking for 12v, if it’s not there when you test with a multimeter I’d turn the ignition on & test again.
Look at the pic, you can see the plug is disconnected

Rob

flybobbie · Post by **flybobbie** » Mon Sep 27, 2021 1:14 pm

My roof froze just as rear cowl was lowering, i'm suspecting broken wire on the left according to code reader.
But did notice it was rock solid stuck.
Yet by coincidence as a grabbed the roundel to open boot, which i know wouldn't open, the cowl dropped into place.
Just a bit weird it did that, at that moment.

Chippie · Post by **Chippie** » Mon Sep 27, 2021 4:59 pm

Badforgood wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 1:05 pm
Chippie wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 12:44 pm
Chippie wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 12:43 pm Either you or a garage can override the micro switch/ sensor/cable fault if using the correct software such as ISTA commanding the roof to close and latch, this will allow the windows to close and you will be able to gain access to the boot.
That should have been an edit not a quote
What is ISTA software?

ISTA is a windows based program for working with all BMW’s, if you’re not particularly good with a laptop then it may not be suitable as it can be a bit of a pain to set up, you can either get a copy from eBay etc or do a search for bimmercode, I think there was someone on her that was offering to do remote installs for people.

Badforgood · Post by **Badforgood** » Mon Sep 27, 2021 5:34 pm

Ok a little update. I managed to the the boot open with the info supplied by Smartbear, so thank you to Smartbear for that.
I still have to find out why the roof isn't working and sort it though.
I used a C110+ code reader and got this error code "A68D - Microswitch roof shell 2 closed, right"
does anyone know what this means and how to sort it?

Smartbear · Post by **Smartbear** » Mon Sep 27, 2021 5:47 pm

Badforgood wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 5:34 pm Ok a little update. I managed to the the boot open with the info supplied by Smartbear, so thank you to Smartbear for that.
I still have to find out why the roof isn't working and sort it though.
I used a C110+ code reader and got this error code "A68D - Microswitch roof shell 2 closed, right"
does anyone know what this means and how to sort it?

Some info here viewtopic.php?f=45&t=116205&p=1668669&h ... h#p1668669
Rob

Badforgood · Post by **Badforgood** » Tue Sep 28, 2021 3:06 pm

Another small update. I viewed this video on youtube and found it contained a lot of helpful technical information and looked like the same problem I have except on the other side. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q52HtkK6mU&t=621s

If anyone is having problems with their roof I suggest you watch the video.

Unfortunately although I did everything he said I still couldn't get my roof to move.

I did manage to get access to the plug that runs from the switches to the control module. I tested across the 2 wires from the right hand switch and indeed they do look to be open circuit so either a broken wire or a faulty switch.
I also checked that the module was sending the power to the switch which it was, but the power was not returning through the switch to the module.
When I checked the left hand switch I was getting a circuit and the signal appeared to be coming back to the module.
What I don't understand is why after I fitted a link wire as in the video I didn't get the roof to move when he did.

I've been told that there is a screw or screws on the hydraulic pump which when opened relieves the pressure in the system so that the roof can be moved at least partially manually. Can anyone tell me where the screws are please?

acm · Post by **acm** » Thu Sep 30, 2021 5:20 pm

Hi,

Take a look at viewtopic.php?f=46&t=122363

Near the start it shows the step to depressurise the hydraulic system.

If you need to move the boot lid or roof, get someone to help you so that each side moves in unison with each other to avoid twisting the various linkages of the roof folding mechanism. Besides, the panels aren't light and will cause a painful injury if dropped unexpectedly onto a limb.

Good luck

Cheers!
Andy

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